At the present time the Association is comprised of former and present crew members, Phibron Staff, and embarked Marines who served on the two Iwo Jimas (LPH 2 and LHD 7), USS Okinawa (LPH 3), USS New Orleans (LPH 11), and USS Tripoli (LPH 10). Former crew members and embarked staffs and Marines who served in USS Guadalcanal (LPH 7), USS Guam (LPH 9) and USS Inchon (LPH 12) are also eligible and encouraged to become Regular Association members. After all, we were all on the same class ship and our mission was the same, so we have a lot in common.

The Iwo Jima Class LPH Amphibious Assault Ship was created in the early 60's. The Guadalcanal, Guam and Inchon are also included in the Iwo Jima Class. The LPH was ideally suited for amphibious assault by the vertical envelopment method. The ship was designed to carry up to 25 helicopters, a Marine Battalion , weapons, and the equipment to support them. In addition to its mission as a Marine Battalion Landing Team Delivery Ship, the LPH class had also served as an Amphibious Task Force Control Ship, Medical Duty Ship and Mine Countermeasures Support Ship. The Iwo Jima Class had a power plant consisting of two boilers and one geared turbine which turned a single shaft with 22,000 shaft horsepower. Its armament included 3-inch twin barrel guns, the 20mm Vulcan/Phalanx Close-in Weapons System (CIWS), and 50 caliber machine guns. The crew complement consisted of 50 officers, 650 enlisted personnel and up to 2,000 Marine troops.

At least one ship of the Iwo Jima Class had been present in every major conflict since the Vietnam War. Although the LPH had proven itself to be a reliable performer, the Navy recognized the need for an amphibious assault ship with greater range, capacity and capabilities and gradually phased out the LPHs, replacing them with the technologically superior Wasp Class LHDs.

News

March 29, 2008

Sorry for the delay in posts, lots of updates

New Orleans LPH-11 2007 reunion pics posted here

The Ship Store is now updated! You can view it here

2008 Reunion information is posted on the Future Reunions page

Roster Updates have been made for all ships

Added the LPH line drawing to the top of the pages.

Home Page has been updated

February 23, 2008

LPH-2 Past Reunions have been listed.

 

LPH-11 History and Pictures have been updated.

 

2007 Reunion Pictures are posted on the Past Reunions page

 

The 2008 Executive Board has been posted

 

The membership form is now available on the Membership page