USS Ashland (LSD-48) is a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship of the United States Navy. She was the second
Navy ship to be named for Ashland, the home of Henry Clay, in Lexington, Kentucky.
USS Ashland (LSD-48) in Souda Harbor
Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship
The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship is a dock landing ship of the United States Navy. Introduced to fleet service in 1985, this class of ship features a large well deck for transporting United States Marine Corps (USMC) vehicles and a large flight deck for landing helicopters or V-22 Ospreys. The well deck was designed to hold four LCAC hovercraft, five if the vehicle ramp is raised, for landing Marines. Recent deployments have used a combination of LCU(s), AAVs, tanks, LARCs and other USMC vehicles. The Whidbey Island class of ship also uniquely benefits from multiple cranes and a shallow draft that further make it ideal for participating in amphibious operations.
USS Fort McHenry conducting helicopter operations off the coast of Sumatra in 2005
Stern view of USS Tortuga with open well deck