USS Mobile (LKA 115)

- formerly AKA 115 -
- decommissioned -

USS MOBILE was the third CHARLESTON - class amphibious cargo ship and the fourth ship in the Navy named after the city in Alabama. Initially laid down as AKA 115, MOBILE was redesignated as LKA 115 on January 1, 1969. Decommissioned on February 4, 1994, the MOBILE was subsequently berthed at the Naval Inactive Ships Maintenance Facility at Philadelphia, where she was held in reserve to make her available in the case of a military emergency. Stricken from the Navy list on August 15, 2015, the ship was later sold for scrapping. She arrived under tow at Brownsville, Tx., in mid-October 2023, and was subsequently broken-up.

General Characteristics:	Awarded: June 11, 1965
	Keel laid: January 15, 1968
	Launched: October 19, 1968
	Commissioned: September 29, 1969
	Decommissioned: February 4, 1994
	Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Va.
	Propulsion system: two boilers, one geared turbine, one propeller shaft, 22,000 shaft horsepower
	Propellers: one
	Length: 575.5 feet (175.4 meters)
	Beam: 82 feet (25 meters)
	Draft: 25.6 feet (7.8 meters)
	Displacement: approx. 18,700 tons full load
	Speed: 20+ knots
	Aircraft: helicopter platform only
	Boats: 4 LCM-8, 4 LCM-6, 2 LCVP and 2 LCP
	Armament: two 20mm Phalanx CIWS
	Crew: Ship: 22 officers and 334 enlisted USMC: 15 officers and 211 enlisted

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Crew List:

This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS MOBILE. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.

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USS MOBILE Cruise Books:

WestPac Cruise Book 1971-72

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USS MOBILE History:

USS MOBILE, the third ship of the CHARLESTON-class of amphibious cargo ships, was the fourth United States Navy vessel named for Mobile, Alabama. The Navy assigned the name on November 6, 1967. The ship was laid down as AKA 115 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia, on January 15, 1968. She was launched on October 19, 1968, sponsored by Mrs. John Sparkman, wife of Senator John Sparkman of Alabama. As part of the Navy-wide redesignation of attack cargo ships, the ship was reclassified from AKA 115 to LKA 115 on January 1, 1969. Newport News completed the ship during the summer of 1969, and USS MOBILE was commissioned on September 29, 1969.

After commissioning, USS MOBILE shifted to the Pacific Fleet and made San Diego, California, her principal home port. The opening months of 1970 were devoted to preparing the new ship for operational deployment. From January 1 through January 4, she underwent leave and upkeep at San Diego. Refresher training in the Southern California operating area followed from January 5 through January 30. Final acceptance trials were conducted from February 2 through February 6, and amphibious refresher training occupied the period from February 13 through March 6. Commander, Amphibious Squadron Five, was embarked from March 5 through April 1. A post-shakedown availability followed from April 16 through April 24.

On May 1, 1970, USS MOBILE departed for her first Western Pacific deployment in company with USS OKINAWA (LPH 3), USS DULUTH (LPD 6), and USS ANCHORAGE (LSD 36), all assigned to Amphibious Squadron Five. The deployment brought the new amphibious cargo ship into the operational system supporting American forces in Southeast Asia at a time when the United States was beginning a gradual reduction of its ground presence in South Vietnam. Amphibious forces nevertheless had to remain ready for combat operations while simultaneously moving Marines, equipment, vehicles, ammunition, and other material around the theater.

USS MOBILE operated repeatedly in or immediately adjacent to the Vietnam combat zone during the second half of 1970. Her officially credited service periods during the Vietnamese Counteroffensive Phase VII included July 23 through July 26, August 9 through August 12, September 8 through September 10, September 12 through September 14, and September 19 through September 23. Her activities included the movement of personnel and cargo associated with Marine operations and the changing American deployment posture in Vietnam. MOBILE is specifically documented as having moored at Da Nang during September 1970, and her ship's movements during the deployment regularly connected the major amphibious operating areas with Western Pacific support bases.

The ship's performance during her first full year in commission was recognized in another area as well. In 1970, USS MOBILE received the Golden Anchor Award for achieving the highest enlistment ratio among Pacific Fleet amphibious cargo ships. After completing her first Western Pacific deployment, she returned to the United States and resumed the familiar cycle of maintenance, training, amphibious exercises, and preparations for another overseas deployment.

During 1971, USS MOBILE again operated in the Western Pacific and the Vietnam theater. Her officially credited Vietnam service included April 15 through April 18. Later in the year, she returned for a considerably longer deployment. On October 1, 1971, Amphibious Squadron Five began a Western Pacific deployment that included USS TRIPOLI (LPH 10), USS DULUTH, USS ANCHORAGE, USS MOBILE, and USS SCHENECTADY (LST 1185). The deployment ultimately continued into August 1972.

During late October and early November 1971, USS MOBILE operated in the Vietnam theater during the Consolidation I campaign, with official service credit from October 30 through November 3. She returned to Vietnamese waters from November 17 through November 19. Amphibious forces at this stage of the war were increasingly involved in supporting South Vietnamese forces while the United States continued reducing its own direct ground presence.

The deployment continued into 1972. USS MOBILE received Consolidation II campaign credit from January 17 through January 22 and from February 6 through February 20. By the spring, however, the strategic situation in Vietnam had changed sharply. On March 30, North Vietnamese forces launched what became known as the Easter Offensive, a major conventional attack across several fronts. American naval and air power was rapidly expanded in response, and Pacific Fleet amphibious forces moved closer to the combat area.

USS MOBILE received Vietnam Ceasefire campaign credit from March 30 through April 3 and then for the much longer period from April 8 through May 27. Additional credited periods followed from June 14 through June 16, June 19 through June 21, and June 24 through July 15. Rather than functioning solely as a transport, MOBILE was now operating in an environment in which amphibious ships themselves could come under enemy fire. This became a reality on June 27, 1972. USS MOBILE, USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC 19), USS SCHENECTADY, and USS POINT DEFIANCE (LSD 31) were operating near Hon Co, commonly known to American forces as Tiger Island, off the coast of North Vietnam. The ships were engaged in an amphibious demonstration when North Vietnamese shore batteries on the island opened fire. MOBILE and the other ships came under hostile artillery fire. MOBILE, BLUE RIDGE, and SCHENECTADY returned fire; POINT DEFIANCE did not. No American casualties resulted from the engagement. The exchange marked the first recorded engagement with enemy forces by a CHARLESTON-class amphibious cargo ship, and MOBILE's crew qualified for the Combat Action Ribbon as a result.

The Tiger Island engagement occurred during a period of increasingly intensive operations connected with the South Vietnamese counteroffensive in the northern part of the country. From June 29 through July 14, USS MOBILE supported Operation Lam Son 72, in which Republic of Vietnam forces sought to insert troops behind North Vietnamese positions. During this demanding operational period, MOBILE developed leaks in several boiler superheater tubes. Rather than withdraw immediately from the combat area, repair personnel from the Ship Repair Facility at Subic Bay were made available to deal with the machinery problems so that the ship could continue meeting her commitments.

The 1971-72 Western Pacific deployment ended in August 1972 after more than ten months away from San Diego. It had exposed MOBILE to virtually every aspect of contemporary amphibious operations: troop and cargo movement, sustained logistics, contingency readiness, amphibious demonstrations, direct support of allied ground forces, and hostile shore fire.

During 1973, the ship remained part of the Pacific Fleet amphibious force and participated in Exercise Pagasa II. The exercise continued the regular pattern of bilateral training in the western Pacific at a time when the United States was adjusting its military posture after the Paris Peace Accords and the withdrawal of most American combat forces from Vietnam.

USS MOBILE continued Western Pacific amphibious operations in 1974 and early 1975. The strategic situation in Indochina deteriorated sharply during the opening months of 1975. North Vietnamese forces advanced rapidly through South Vietnam during March and April, while the South Vietnamese military and government progressively lost control of the country. The United States assembled a substantial naval force off the coast to prepare for possible evacuation operations.

By late April, USS MOBILE was among the amphibious ships assigned to support the evacuation of Saigon. Operation Frequent Wind began on April 29, 1975, after the deteriorating military situation and attacks on Tan Son Nhut Air Base made further large-scale fixed-wing evacuation impractical. Helicopters then transported American citizens, Vietnamese evacuees, and other eligible persons from Saigon to Navy ships offshore. MOBILE served as part of the large amphibious and logistical force supporting the operation on April 29 and April 30. Her documented participation qualified the ship for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Operation Frequent Wind and contributed to the unit recognition associated with the evacuation. The operation concluded on April 30 as the final American personnel were withdrawn and South Vietnam ceased to exist as an independent state.

Following the end of the Vietnam War, USS MOBILE returned to a more conventional pattern of Pacific Fleet amphibious deployments and exercises. In 1976, she participated in Exercise Bead Chevron and Exercise Ice Bearer. These exercises emphasized the continuing requirement to move Marine forces by sea, land personnel and equipment, and support operations ashore despite the absence of a major ongoing war in the Pacific.

During 1977, MOBILE participated in Exercise Ssang Yong II, Exercise Bell Nugget, and Exercise Fortress Lightning. Ssang Yong training involved operations in the Korean area and reflected the continuing American commitment to South Korea. The Korean Peninsula remained one of the principal potential conflict areas in the Pacific, and amphibious forces regularly rehearsed reinforcement and landing operations there. MOBILE was also documented at White Beach, Okinawa, during 1977, one of the principal embarkation and staging locations used by American amphibious forces in the western Pacific.

In 1978, USS MOBILE participated in Exercise Team Spirit, the large annual United States-Republic of Korea training event. Team Spirit rehearsed reinforcement of South Korea and the integration of American and South Korean forces in the event of a renewed war on the peninsula. Amphibious shipping played a significant role by demonstrating the ability to move Marines, vehicles, equipment, and supplies to the theater and subsequently conduct operations from the sea.

During 1979, MOBILE participated in Exercise Kernel Potlatch II. Photographic evidence from April 16, 1979, shows the ship underway in the Pacific with one of her original forward 3-inch/50-caliber gun mounts already removed, illustrating the gradual modification of the CHARLESTON-class weapons configuration as the Navy's defensive requirements changed.

The next major phase of MOBILE's career developed during the Iran hostage crisis. After the United States Embassy in Tehran was seized on November 4, 1979, the Navy substantially increased its presence in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. Carrier battle groups and amphibious forces were positioned to demonstrate American military capability and to provide options should the crisis escalate.

During early 1980, USS MOBILE deployed into the Indian Ocean as part of Amphibious Ready Group Alpha. The force included USS OKINAWA, USS SAN BERNARDINO (LST 1189), USS ALAMO (LSD 33), and USS MOBILE, with USS GRIDLEY (CG 21) and USS BARBEY (FF 1088) providing escort. The embarked Marine force was the 31st Marine Amphibious Unit. The group entered the Indian Ocean during March, joining the broader American naval concentration created in response to the hostage crisis.

From April 18 through April 22, 1980, USS MOBILE made a documented port visit at Mombasa, Kenya. The ship was consequently in the wider Indian Ocean operating area immediately before the unsuccessful American hostage-rescue mission of April 24-25. During 1980, USS MOBILE also participated in Exercise Landex 1-80 and Exercise Kernel Blitz 80. In September, she transferred from the active fleet to the Naval Reserve Force. The ship was retained in commissioned service with a reduced active-duty cadre that could be augmented by Selected Reservists. The arrangement allowed the Navy to retain amphibious lift capacity while reducing the permanent active-duty manpower required to operate older ships.

USS MOBILE remained assigned to the Pacific Fleet Naval Reserve Force during 1981 and 1982. Marine Corps status reports identify MOBILE together with USS DURHAM (LKA 114) and USS RACINE (LST 1191) as the principal Pacific amphibious ships in the reserve-force program. Such ships required augmentation by reservists before they could sustain extended operations. MOBILE nevertheless continued training, including Exercise Kernel Usher in 1982, and remained available for mobilization.

In June 1983, USS MOBILE returned to full active status. Her reactivation reflected the Navy's continuing requirement for amphibious lift as the United States expanded fleet activity during the early 1980s. The ship underwent the training and readiness process required to reintegrate with regular Pacific Fleet amphibious forces.

A major Western Pacific deployment followed in 1984. On January 18, USS MOBILE departed San Diego with Amphibious Squadron Three. The principal ships of the group were USS NEW ORLEANS (LPH 11), USS DENVER (LPD 9), USS ALAMO, and USS MOBILE. The embarked Marine force was the 37th Marine Amphibious Unit.

Soon after leaving California, the amphibious group participated in Exercise Kernel Blitz 84-1 in Hawaiian waters from January 27 through January 30. The ships then continued west. During March, the group took part in Exercise Team Spirit 84 in South Korea. This was followed by the American-Philippine amphibious exercise Balikatan and two exercises in the Valiant Usher series, one conducted with Australian forces on the western coast of Australia and another involving South Korean forces. The 1984 deployment consequently ranged across a wide geographical area. Documented port-call countries included Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The group left Seventh Fleet operational control on July 12 and returned to its home ports on July 27, ending a deployment of more than six months.

During 1985, USS MOBILE continued Pacific Fleet amphibious training. Among the documented exercises were Gator Jay 85 and Kernel Usher 85. These training periods maintained the ship's ability to operate with Marine landing forces and prepared her for another lengthy Western Pacific cruise the following year.

USS MOBILE departed her home port again on January 16, 1986, with Amphibious Squadron Three and the 11th Marine Amphibious Unit. The principal ships were USS NEW ORLEANS, USS VANCOUVER (LPD 2), USS ALAMO, USS MOBILE, and USS BARBOUR COUNTY (LST 1195). The deployment occurred during a period when the United States continued to maintain significant forces in northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and the western Pacific as part of its Cold War commitments. The group participated in Exercise Team Spirit 86 in South Korea, Exercise Freedom Banner, Exercise Valiant Usher 86-2, and Exercise Beach Guard 86-1. Freedom Banner included the Marine Corps' developing maritime prepositioning concept, while the Valiant Usher series focused on amphibious operations and cooperation with regional partners. Documented port calls during the deployment included Pattaya Beach, Thailand, and Pohang, South Korea. By June 3, the amphibious squadron was at Subic Bay in the Philippines. The ships returned to their home ports on July 16, 1986, completing another six-month deployment.

USS MOBILE remained heavily involved in amphibious readiness during 1987. Her official exercise record includes Kernel Blitz 87. The exercise series used the southern California training areas to rehearse large-scale ship-to-shore movement, combined naval and Marine operations, and the logistical requirements associated with maintaining a landing force ashore.

Another major Western Pacific deployment began on June 16, 1988. MOBILE sailed as part of an Amphibious Squadron Three readiness group with USS NEW ORLEANS, USS OGDEN (LPD 5), USS FORT McHENRY (LSD 43), and USS FRESNO (LST 1182). The embarked landing force was the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The ships crossed the Pacific and reached the Okinawa area in July. The group subsequently operated from Subic Bay and moved toward Thailand for Exercise Cobra Gold 88. Cobra Gold was a major combined American-Thai exercise intended to improve interoperability and rehearse regional defense and amphibious operations. After the Thai phase, the ships proceeded toward Australia.

During August, the group visited Fremantle, Western Australia, and participated in Exercise Valiant Usher 88-6 off the Australian coast. The deployment subsequently continued through the western Pacific and included operations or port visits in South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, Australia, Okinawa, and Hawaii. The group also participated in Exercise Valiant Blitz 89-1 before completing the deployment. USS MOBILE returned home with the amphibious force on December 16, 1988.

During 1989, USS MOBILE again participated in Exercise Kernel Blitz. By this period, she was one of the oldest commissioned amphibious cargo ships in the Pacific Fleet, but her extensive cargo-handling capacity still provided a capability that newer amphibious ships could usefully supplement. She remained homeported in southern California and continued readiness work into 1990. Exercise Kernel Usher in 1990 formed part of the preparation for what would become the most important deployment of MOBILE's later career. On August 2, 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait. The United States and other countries responded by sending forces to Saudi Arabia and surrounding waters under Operation Desert Shield. The rapid buildup created an urgent requirement for additional amphibious shipping.

The 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade was assigned to deploy from the American West Coast with Amphibious Group Three. Shipping availability initially presented difficulties, because the brigade required more lift than was immediately available. The final amphibious organization included USS TARAWA (LHA 1), USS TRIPOLI (LPH 10), USS NEW ORLEANS, USS DENVER, USS JUNEAU (LPD 10), USS MOBILE, USS VANCOUVER, USS ANCHORAGE, USS MOUNT VERNON (LSD 39), USS GERMANTOWN (LSD 42), USS PEORIA (LST 1183), USS FREDERICK (LST 1184), and USS BARBOUR COUNTY, with additional ships subsequently operating as part of the overall amphibious force.

Amphibious Group Three and the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade departed the West Coast on December 1, 1990. Because the deployment had been organized rapidly, extensive training continued during the westward transit. The force moved through the Pacific toward Southwest Asia while the international coalition continued to build military strength around Iraq and Kuwait. On January 12, 1991, Amphibious Group Three arrived on station in the North Arabian Sea. Its arrival brought the overall American amphibious concentration in the region to 18 ships, the largest such American amphibious task force assembled in a combat zone since the Korean War.

Operation Desert Storm began on January 17, 1991. The amphibious force remained a significant element of coalition operational planning. Iraqi commanders could not exclude the possibility that Marines would conduct a large-scale landing directly on the Kuwaiti coast, and considerable Iraqi defensive strength was consequently tied to coastal positions. The amphibious threat complemented the coalition's actual ground plan, in which the main offensive eventually came from Saudi Arabia and swept around the western flank of Iraqi forces.

USS MOBILE's principal function was the transport, organization, and delivery of Marine equipment, ammunition, vehicles, and supplies. She did not possess the aviation facilities of the large amphibious assault ships or the well deck of the dock landing ships, but her cargo capacity made her an important component of the overall landing force. Throughout the buildup and combat phase she remained integrated into the large amphibious organization supporting the Marine force afloat.

The coalition ground offensive began on February 24. The 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade was ultimately used as an operational reserve rather than conducting the major contested beach assault for which it had been prepared. Portions of the amphibious force offloaded Marines and equipment through Al Mishab in Saudi Arabia as the ground campaign developed. The ability to keep a large force afloat while retaining the option to land it had nevertheless served a significant operational purpose throughout the preceding weeks.

After the ceasefire, the amphibious organization was reorganized. The 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Squadron One separated from the larger 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade organization in March. The ships assigned to this group were USS NEW ORLEANS, USS DENVER, USS GERMANTOWN, USS PEORIA, and USS MOBILE. The Marine landing force included Battalion Landing Team 3/1, Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 268, and the unit's logistics element. USS MOBILE and the other Amphibious Squadron One ships remained in the Persian Gulf after the main combat forces began redeploying. Their mission was to serve as Central Command's afloat reserve and to remain available for additional regional contingencies. Among the situations being monitored was unrest in Ethiopia, where the government of Mengistu Haile Mariam was collapsing in the face of rebel advances. Plans were developed for a possible evacuation of American citizens, although the operation ultimately proved unnecessary.

During this period, USS MOBILE made a documented port visit to Jebel Ali in the United Arab Emirates. In early June 1991, MOBILE and USS PEORIA were at Jebel Ali. MOBILE's Jebel Ali visit was scheduled to continue through June 5. The continued presence of the amphibious force in the Gulf gave American commanders a flexible response capability during the unstable period immediately following the war. The ship eventually returned to the United States after completing the extended Southwest Asian commitment. Her Gulf War service earned additional campaign and unit recognition, including the Southwest Asia Service Medal and Combat Action Ribbon eligibility associated with the combat period.

USS MOBILE continued serving with the Pacific Fleet during 1992. By this point, she had been in commission for more than two decades, but the Navy continued to use her for amphibious training and readiness while decisions were being made regarding the future structure of the amphibious fleet. Newer dock landing ships and amphibious assault ships were increasingly taking over missions once distributed among specialized amphibious ship types.

During 1993 USS MOBILE participated in Exercise Kernel Raider 93. This was among the last significant documented exercises of her commissioned career. The ship was by then approaching twenty-five years of service, and retirement planning was underway.

USS MOBILE was decommissioned at Long Beach, California, on February 4, 1994. Unlike many decommissioned ships, however, MOBILE was not immediately disposed of. The Navy continued to see potential value in the large cargo capacity of the CHARLESTON-class and examined ways to retain that capability with lower operating costs. Following decommissioning, the former USS MOBILE was assigned for potential use by Military Sealift Command. Plans called for a conversion that would allow the ship to operate with a combination of civilian and Naval Reserve personnel. The concept was intended to preserve useful sealift capability without returning the ship to conventional commissioned Navy service.

By 1996, the former MOBILE had been moved to the Bethlehem Steel Corporation shipyard at Sparrows Point, Maryland. Aerial Navy photography from May 21, 1996, documents her undergoing conversion work there for Military Sealift Command use. Her naval armament had been removed and substantial changes were underway. A similar conversion was planned for her sister ship USS EL PASO (LKA 117). The conversion program was subsequently canceled. MOBILE was placed out of service later in 1996 and transferred to the inactive fleet at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. There, she joined other decommissioned amphibious vessels at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility. The planned Military Sealift Command career therefore never developed into an operational deployment.

For many years, the former USS MOBILE remained in Category B reserve status at Philadelphia. The Navy retained the CHARLESTON-class ships because their cargo capacity theoretically offered supplemental amphibious lift in the event of a major contingency. Over time, however, the cost and difficulty of returning such old steam-powered ships to useful condition increased steadily. Newer amphibious ships entered service, systems aboard the older vessels became obsolete, and their physical condition deteriorated during prolonged inactive storage.

The Navy formally removed the former USS MOBILE from the Naval Vessel Register on August 31, 2015. By then, she had already spent more than two decades out of commission. Although no longer retained for possible reactivation, she remained physically moored at Philadelphia for another eight years while final disposal arrangements were made. On September 29, 2023, the former USS MOBILE was removed from the Philadelphia inactive-ship facility under tow. Her destination was Brownsville, Texas, one of the principal centers of American naval ship recycling. After the tow around the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, the former amphibious cargo ship reached the All Star Metals facility at the Port of Brownsville on October 12, 2023. She arrived together with another former CHARLESTON-class vessel, EL PASO, and was subsequently dismantled for recycling.

A formal Navy historical evaluation later summarized MOBILE's career as including nine Western Pacific deployments, extensive Vietnam War service, participation in Operation Frequent Wind, Indian Ocean operations during the Iran hostage crisis, repeated major Pacific exercises, Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and continued contingency operations during 1991. The same evaluation recorded her three Navy Battle "E" awards, two Navy Unit Commendations, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy Expeditionary Medal for Iran/Indian Ocean service, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for Operation Frequent Wind, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal, and Vietnam campaign recognition.