larger cargo capacity. These ships also have a helicopterplatform over the well deck that allows them to conductlimited helicopter operations.Tank landing ships. Tank landing ships (LSTs)(fig. 8-29) were developed during World War II. TheNavy required a ship capable of transporting troops,tanks, ammunition, and all sorts of supplies. The LSTsof today’s fleet are fitted with bow doors and a bow rampthat give access to the tank deck. Another ramp andturntable in the tank deck enable vehicles to turn aroundand reach the main deck under their own power. Theyalso have a stern gate that permits off-loading ofamphibious vehicles directly into the water. In additionto transporting and landing equipment in amphibiousassaults, these ships can transport and launch a pontooncauseway section in support of amphibious operations.With booms and winches mounted on the main deckforward, this class of ship is capable of numerousmissions. They carry one 20mm Phalanxand two25mm Mk3 machine guns.Amphibious command ships. Amphibiouscommand ships (LCCs) (fig. 8-30) provide amphibiouscommand and control for major amphibious operations.With the latest command and control facilitiesavailable, these ships have become fleet flagships. Theyare capable of supporting a naval amphibious task force,a landing force, and an air force simultaneously.Mine Warfare Ships.—Mine countermeasuresships (MCM) are ships designed to clear mines fromvital waterways. In the early 1980s, the U.S. Navybegan development of a new mine countermeasures(MCM) force, which included two new classes of shipsand minesweeping helicopters. The Iran-Iraq war andOperation Desert Shield/Desert Storm showed theimportance of a state-of-the-art mine countermeasuresforce when the Avenger (MCM 1) and Guardian (MCM5) ships conducted MCM operations.Avenger class ships are designed as minehunter-killers capable of finding, classifying, anddestroying moored and bottom mines. These ships usesonar and video systems, cable cutters, and amine-detonating device that can be released anddetonated by remote control. They are also capable ofconventional sweeping measures. The ships are offiberglass sheathed, wooden hull construction. They arethe first large mine countermeasures ships built in theUnited States in nearly 27 years. (See fig. 8-31.)8-25Figure 8-29.—USS LA Moure County (LST 1194).Photograph courtesy of PH2 John SokolowskiFigure 8-30.—USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20).Student Notes:Photograph courtesy of SGT Don L. MayesFigure 8-28.—Landing craft air cushion (LCAC).Figure 8-31.—USS Chief.
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