USS Tarawa (LHA 1)

USS TARAWA was the lead ship of the Navy's first class of amphibious assault ships able to incorporate the best design features and capabilities of several amphibious assault ships currently in service: the Amphibious Assault Ship (LPH), Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD), Amphibious Cargo Ship (LKA), and Dock Landing Ship (LSD). USS TARAWA held a decommissioning ceremony on December 4, 2008, and was decommissioned on March 31, 2009. The ship was subsequently laid-up at Pearl Harbor, Hi., until sunk as a target off Kauai during RIMPAC 2024 on July 19, 2024.

Crew List:

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

Date	Where	Events
July 10, 1986	approx. 300 miles east of Hokkaido, Japan	A Marine Corps UH-1N helicopter, operating from USS TARAWA under the call sign Grayhawk 130 and assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMM-161), crashes into the sea during night flight operations. All three crew members are killed. The accident occurs while TARAWA was proceeding toward the Western Pacific operating area and was followed by a search and rescue operation.
1998	Naval Station San Diego, Ca., Pier 13	USS TARAWA overloaded pier cleats at NAVSTA San Diego Pier 13 due to overloading as the tide rose (also pier fittings were undersized). Damage was $200,000.
July 7, 2003	560 miles northeast of Hawaii	A Marine assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit is safely recovered by a CH-46 helicopter after falling overboard. The Marine had gone overboard at 11 p.m. (local time) and was rescued 75 minutes later.

Date

Where

Events

July 10, 1986

approx. 300 miles east of Hokkaido, Japan

A Marine Corps UH-1N helicopter, operating from USS TARAWA under the call sign Grayhawk 130 and assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMM-161), crashes into the sea during night flight operations. All three crew members are killed. The accident occurs while TARAWA was proceeding toward the Western Pacific operating area and was followed by a search and rescue operation.

1998

Naval Station San Diego, Ca., Pier 13

USS TARAWA overloaded pier cleats at NAVSTA San Diego Pier 13 due to overloading as the tide rose (also pier fittings were undersized). Damage was $200,000.

July 7, 2003

560 miles northeast of Hawaii

A Marine assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit is safely recovered by a CH-46 helicopter after falling overboard. The Marine had gone overboard at 11 p.m. (local time) and was rescued 75 minutes later.

History of USS TARAWA:

USS TARAWA was the lead ship of a class of five general-purpose amphibious assault ships and the second U.S. Navy ship named in honor of the Battle of Tarawa, fought in the Gilbert Islands in November 1943. The contract for her construction was awarded to the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division of Litton Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi, on May 1, 1969. Her keel was laid on November 15, 1971, and she was launched and christened on December 1, 1973, sponsored by Audrey B. Cushman, wife of General Robert E. Cushman Jr., former Commandant of the Marine Corps. Following fitting-out and acceptance trials, TARAWA was delivered to the Navy on May 14, 1976, and commissioned at Pascagoula on May 29, 1976, with Captain James H. Morris in command.

TARAWA was designed to combine the capabilities of several earlier types of amphibious warfare ships, including helicopter carriers, amphibious transport docks, amphibious cargo ships and dock landing ships. Her flight deck, aircraft elevators, well deck, vehicle storage areas and extensive medical facilities enabled her to embark a Marine expeditionary force with helicopters, vertical/short takeoff and landing aircraft, landing craft and associated equipment. After commissioning, TARAWA departed Pascagoula on July 7, 1976, for her new homeport on the West Coast. She transited the Panama Canal on July 16 and, following a port visit to Acapulco, Mexico, arrived at Naval Station San Diego, California, on August 6. During the remainder of 1976, she conducted trials, testing and shakedown operations in the southern California operating areas.

During the first half of 1977, TARAWA continued individual ship training and amphibious exercises off the California coast. On August 13, she entered Long Beach Naval Shipyard for a Post-Shakedown Availability, during which deficiencies identified during initial operations were corrected and modifications were made to improve the ship's systems. The availability continued until July 15, 1978. Following completion of the work, TARAWA conducted approximately four and a half months of intensive individual ship training, amphibious refresher exercises and operations with embarked Marines in preparation for her first overseas deployment.

On March 1, 1979, TARAWA departed San Diego for her first deployment to the Western Pacific. During the cruise, she conducted amphibious training and exercises with Marine Corps units and operated temporarily embarked AV-8A Harrier aircraft alongside her helicopter contingent. The flights demonstrated the feasibility of conducting integrated vertical/short takeoff and landing aircraft operations from an amphibious assault ship. The deployment included operations and visits in Hawaii, Okinawa, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and South Korea.

While operating in the South China Sea during the deployment, TARAWA rescued approximately 400 Vietnamese refugees who had been found adrift in overcrowded boats. The ship provided medical assistance, food, water and temporary accommodation for the rescued people. TARAWA returned to San Diego on September 21, 1979, completing her maiden WESTPAC deployment. Her aviation safety performance during this period earned her the Admiral James H. Flatley Memorial Award for Naval Aviation Safety.

On October 14, 1980, TARAWA departed San Diego for her second deployment to the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean. Embarked aboard the ship was a composite aviation unit consisting of 29 helicopters and six AV-8A Harriers, representing the first extended operational deployment of an integrated helicopter and fixed-wing Marine Corps aviation contingent aboard an LHA. The deployment included amphibious exercises, aviation training and operations with U.S. and allied forces. TARAWA operated in the western Pacific and Indian Ocean, including visits to Subic Bay, Philippines; Diego Garcia; Mombasa, Kenya; and Fremantle, Australia. She returned to San Diego on April 16, 1981.

Following the deployment, TARAWA entered a major overhaul that lasted approximately 14 months and was completed on August 27, 1982. The availability included extensive maintenance and modernization of the ship's engineering, aviation and amphibious systems. During the overhaul, normal flight deck and well deck operations were suspended while shipyard personnel completed the required repairs and modifications. After returning to operational status, TARAWA resumed local training and underwent preparations for another overseas deployment.

During February 1983, TARAWA completed an intensive Amphibious Refresher Training program, followed in March by Exercise Kernel Blitz 83-1 off the California coast. On April 27, the ship departed San Diego for her third Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployment, operating initially in company with USS TRIPOLI (LPH 10). During May and June, TARAWA participated in exercises and visited ports in Hawaii, Okinawa, the Philippines and Hong Kong. She subsequently proceeded to Thailand, where she participated in Exercise Cobra Gold 83, conducting combined amphibious operations and training with Thai military forces.

In August 1983, TARAWA visited Singapore for maintenance and replenishment before proceeding across the Indian Ocean toward the Horn of Africa. From August 18 to 24, she participated in Exercise Bright Star/Eastern Wind 83 off Berbera, Somalia, conducting combined amphibious operations and training with U.S. and regional forces. Following the exercise, the ship visited Mombasa, Kenya, before receiving orders to proceed to the eastern Mediterranean in response to the deteriorating security situation in Lebanon.

On September 10, 1983, TARAWA transited the Suez Canal northbound, becoming the first amphibious assault ship of the U.S. Pacific Fleet to make the northbound passage. The following day, she joined U.S. naval forces operating off Beirut in support of the American contingent of the Multinational Force in Lebanon (MNF). During her assignment off the Lebanese coast, TARAWA maintained aviation and amphibious capabilities in support of the Marines ashore. Her responsibilities included combat search and rescue readiness, medical evacuation, helicopter support, logistics and contingency operations.

While operating off Beirut, TARAWA maintained a high state of readiness as violence increased between Lebanese factions and foreign forces operating in the country. On September 27, 1983, Captain Philip F. Duffy relieved Captain Kent R. Siegel as commanding officer of TARAWA. The ship remained in the operating area until October 10, when she was released from her assignment to the Multinational Force. On October 11, TARAWA transited the Suez Canal southbound and began her return passage across the Indian Ocean. She reached Subic Bay, Philippines, on October 28 after an extended period at sea and continued eastward across the Pacific, arriving at San Diego on November 22, 1983. Following the deployment, TARAWA received her second Admiral James H. Flatley Memorial Award.

In October 1984, TARAWA departed San Diego for her fourth Western Pacific deployment. The cruise included amphibious exercises, flight operations and combined training with U.S. Marine Corps units and allied forces in the region. TARAWA conducted operations in the waters around Japan, the Philippines, Thailand and the western Pacific, with port visits and maintenance periods supporting the deployment. The ship returned to San Diego during the first half of 1985 and subsequently resumed local training and maintenance in preparation for her next WESTPAC cruise.

In June 1986, TARAWA departed San Diego for her fifth deployment to the Western Pacific, carrying the 13th Marine Amphibious Unit and an embarked aviation combat element. During the transit across the North Pacific, she operated near the Aleutian Islands and participated in Exercise Kernel Potlatch 86-1 in waters near Adak, Alaska. Aircraft operating from TARAWA intercepted and identified Soviet Tu-95 Bear and Tu-16 Badger aircraft during the deployment, while the ship continued aviation training and amphibious readiness exercises.

On July 10, 1986, a Marine Corps UH-1N helicopter, operating under the call sign Grayhawk 130 and assigned to Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161 (HMM-161), crashed into the sea during night flight operations approximately 300 miles east of Hokkaido, Japan. All three crew members were killed. The accident occurred while TARAWA was proceeding toward the Western Pacific operating area and was followed by a search and rescue operation. The incident was subsequently investigated by military authorities.

Continuing her deployment, TARAWA visited Subic Bay before proceeding to Thailand for Exercise Cobra Gold 86. The exercise involved combined amphibious operations with Thai forces and included helicopter and landing craft training. TARAWA subsequently visited Pattaya Beach, Thailand, and Singapore before proceeding to Western Australia for Exercise Valiant Usher 86-5AS. During the Australian exercise, the ship conducted amphibious landing operations and training with embarked Marines and Australian forces.

During the return portion of the 1986 deployment, TARAWA conducted additional exercises and aviation testing, including the first night operations involving remotely piloted vehicles launched from a ship. She also made further visits to Subic Bay, where weather conditions associated with Typhoon Ellen required the ship to take precautions and temporarily leave her berth. On November 3, 1986, TARAWA recorded her 60,000th aircraft landing, having reached the 50,000-landing milestone earlier that year on May 9. She returned to San Diego in December after completing her fifth WESTPAC deployment. Her aviation performance during this period contributed to another Admiral James H. Flatley Memorial Award.

In May 1987, TARAWA entered a major overhaul lasting approximately one year. The availability included extensive maintenance and modernization of the ship's propulsion plant, aviation support equipment, electrical systems and amphibious facilities. Following completion, TARAWA conducted post-overhaul sea trials, refresher training and amphibious exercises in preparation for returning to operational service. By July 1989, she had completed the necessary preparations for her sixth Western Pacific deployment.

During the 1989 deployment, TARAWA participated in combined military exercises with Thailand and other allied nations in the western Pacific, including Exercise PACEX 89. The cruise also included operations in the western Pacific and Indian Ocean, with port visits supporting the ship's training and amphibious responsibilities. On November 24, 1989, TARAWA visited Hong Kong during the return portion of the cruise. She arrived back at San Diego in December 1989 and subsequently entered a maintenance and training cycle.

In December 1990, TARAWA departed San Diego for the Arabian Gulf as flagship of a thirteen-ship amphibious task force in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. The ship embarked Commander, Amphibious Group Three, and elements of the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (5th MEB). The amphibious force represented one of the largest concentrations of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps amphibious assets assembled since the Vietnam War. After crossing the Pacific and Indian oceans, TARAWA entered the Arabian Gulf and began preparations for possible amphibious operations against Iraqi forces occupying Kuwait.

During January 1991, TARAWA participated in Exercise Sea Soldier IV, an extensive amphibious assault rehearsal conducted in the Arabian Gulf. The exercise involved Marine Corps landing forces, naval aviation, landing craft and supporting ships and rehearsed the planning and execution of a large amphibious landing. The preparations also formed part of the coalition's efforts to maintain the possibility of a seaborne assault against Kuwait while ground forces prepared for the liberation of the country.

On February 24, 1991, as coalition ground operations began, TARAWA landed elements of the 5th Marine Expeditionary Brigade in Saudi Arabia south of the Kuwaiti border. These forces subsequently supported the ground campaign conducted by U.S. and coalition forces. Throughout Operation Desert Storm, TARAWA continued aviation, amphibious command-and-control and logistical support operations in the Arabian Gulf. Following the cessation of major hostilities, the ship remained in the region for further military and support activities before beginning her return passage in May.

During May 1991, TARAWA was diverted to Bangladesh following a devastating tropical cyclone that had struck the country's southeastern coastal districts. Assigned to Operation Sea Angel, the ship provided approximately two weeks of humanitarian assistance in cooperation with U.S. military personnel and international relief organizations. Her helicopters and landing craft transported food, medical supplies, water purification equipment and other emergency relief materials to communities whose transportation and communications infrastructure had been severely damaged. TARAWA's embarked medical personnel also assisted the relief operation, which included the distribution of rice and other essential supplies to affected areas. The ship subsequently continued her return voyage and arrived at San Diego in July 1991.

On May 28, 1992, TARAWA departed San Diego for another deployment to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf, carrying elements of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. During the cruise, she participated in Exercise Eager Mace 92-93 with Kuwaiti forces, conducting amphibious training and combined operations in the Arabian Gulf region. As the humanitarian and security situation in Somalia deteriorated, TARAWA and her Amphibious Ready Group were assigned to support the deployment of United Nations peacekeeping personnel to Mogadishu.

In September 1992, TARAWA's embarked Marines supported operations associated with the arrival of Pakistani United Nations troops in Somalia. Rather than transporting the Pakistani contingent aboard the amphibious ships, the operation involved the arrival of the troops by aircraft at Mogadishu International Airport. Marines from the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit helped secure the airport and provided local security and logistical assistance for the airlift, coordinating with U.S. Air Force personnel and participating international forces. During the operation, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Audrey Hepburn visited TARAWA, and members of the crew raised funds for UNICEF relief activities.

Following completion of her assigned operations, TARAWA returned to San Diego on November 25, 1992. Her performance during the deployment earned her a fourth Admiral James H. Flatley Memorial Award and the Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet Amphibious Warfare Excellence Award. The deployment was followed by another major overhaul at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, during which TARAWA underwent extensive maintenance and repairs to her engineering and amphibious systems.

In April 1996, TARAWA departed San Diego for her ninth deployment to the Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf. During the transit, the ship participated in combined amphibious exercises with Thai military forces in the Gulf of Thailand before proceeding across the Indian Ocean. In the Red Sea, TARAWA participated in Exercise Indigo Serpent with the Royal Saudi Navy and Exercise Infinite Moonlight with the Royal Jordanian Navy. The exercises involved amphibious training, landing craft operations and coordination between U.S. Marine Corps units and regional forces.

Following the Red Sea exercises, TARAWA entered the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch, the coalition operation enforcing the no-fly zone over southern Iraq. During September 1996, the ship also supported regional naval operations associated with Operation Desert Strike, the U.S. military response to Iraqi operations against Kurdish forces in northern Iraq. TARAWA returned to San Diego in October 1996 and was subsequently recognized with the Federal Energy Conservation Award and the Secretary of the Navy Energy Conservation Award.

In January 1997, TARAWA entered another extensive overhaul, which included maintenance, repairs and improvements to the ship's aviation, engineering and amphibious equipment. Approximately four weeks after completing the shipyard availability, she participated in Exercise Kernel Blitz, one of the largest Pacific Fleet amphibious exercises conducted in nearly 25 years. The exercise involved more than 25 ships and approximately 20,000 sailors and Marines and tested amphibious assault procedures, command-and-control arrangements, aviation operations and logistical support capabilities.

In February 1998, TARAWA departed San Diego for her tenth overseas deployment. The ship operated in the western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf, conducting amphibious exercises and regional security operations with embarked Marine Corps forces. While participating in combined training with Jordanian forces, TARAWA was diverted to Eritrea as fighting broke out between Eritrean and Ethiopian forces. Her helicopters and embarked Marines supported the evacuation of American citizens and other personnel from the U.S. Embassy area. More than 200 people were evacuated during the operation.

After completing her assigned operations, TARAWA returned to San Diego in August 1998. Her energy conservation performance earned her another Secretary of the Navy Energy Conservation Award. The ship subsequently entered Puget Sound Naval Shipyard at Bremerton, Washington, for an extensive drydocking overhaul. The availability included maintenance and modernization of her hull, propulsion machinery, aviation support equipment and amphibious systems and was completed in June 1999.

On August 14, 2000, TARAWA departed San Diego for her eleventh deployment to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf. During the cruise, the ship conducted ceremonies commemorating the Pacific campaigns of World War II, including wreath-laying events at Tarawa Atoll, Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. TARAWA also delivered humanitarian relief supplies to East Timor, where international forces and relief organizations were assisting the population following the violence associated with the territory's independence process.

On October 12, 2000, the guided-missile destroyer USS COLE (DDG 67) was attacked by suicide bombers while refueling in Aden, Yemen, killing 17 sailors and injuring 39 others. TARAWA was subsequently ordered to proceed to the Gulf of Aden to assist the damaged destroyer and the U.S. personnel responding to the attack. Under Operation Determined Response, TARAWA provided logistical support, additional security personnel, damage-control equipment, accommodation and medical facilities for personnel involved in the recovery operation. Her amphibious aviation and command facilities also supported the multinational effort to assist USS COLE and protect U.S. naval personnel operating in the area.

Following completion of her assignment in Yemen, TARAWA resumed operational commitments in the Arabian Sea and western Pacific before returning to San Diego in February 2001. In September, she entered a planned maintenance availability that continued until April 2002. Following completion of the work, TARAWA resumed sea trials and amphibious training. In June 2002, she participated in the multinational Rim of the Pacific exercise, RIMPAC 2002, off Hawaii, conducting amphibious operations and combined training with U.S. and allied naval forces.

On January 6, 2003, TARAWA departed San Diego for a deployment to the western Pacific and Arabian Gulf as flagship of an Amphibious Ready Group that included USS DULUTH (LPD 6) and USS RUSHMORE (LSD 47). Embarked aboard the ships were the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and its aviation, ground combat and combat service support elements. After transiting the Pacific and Indian oceans, the group proceeded to the Arabian Gulf, where Marine Corps units conducted final preparations for possible operations against Iraq.

By mid-February 2003, TARAWA had offloaded substantial elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit in northern Kuwait for desert training and preparations, while the aviation combat element continued operating from the ship. As Operation Iraqi Freedom began in March, the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit was placed under the operational control of the British 3 Commando Brigade. The Marines participated in operations in southern Iraq, including the securing of Umm Qasr and operations in the approaches to Az Zubayr. TARAWA supported the deployed forces through helicopter operations, logistical flights, medical support and command-and-control functions.

Throughout the campaign, TARAWA conducted sustained aviation operations in support of Marines ashore and maintained a steady flow of equipment, personnel and supplies between the ship, regional support facilities and operating areas in Iraq. Her logistical activities were supported by port visits and replenishment operations, including the use of Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, as a major support facility. Following the completion of her assigned operations, TARAWA began her homeward transit across the Indian and Pacific oceans.

On July 7, 2003, while TARAWA was approximately 560 miles northeast of Hawaii, a Marine assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit fell overboard at approximately 11 p.m. local time. A search and rescue operation was immediately launched, and a CH-46 helicopter successfully recovered the Marine approximately 75 minutes later. TARAWA continued to San Diego, arriving on July 16, 2003, after completing her deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During 2004, TARAWA underwent maintenance and operational training as she prepared for service as flagship of Expeditionary Strike Group One (ESG-1). The new expeditionary strike group structure combined amphibious ships, embarked Marine Corps forces and surface combatants into an integrated formation capable of conducting amphibious operations, maritime security and regional response missions. In April, TARAWA participated in an Expeditionary Strike Group Exercise, including events on April 14 and further readiness exercises from April 19 to 22.

During October 2004, TARAWA participated in the FORCEnet and Trident Warrior 04 experiments, which evaluated networked communications and command-and-control capabilities during expeditionary operations. The training coincided with the ship's participation in Fleet Week San Francisco. During the remainder of the year and the first half of 2005, TARAWA continued maintenance, training and readiness exercises in preparation for her next Western Pacific and Arabian Gulf deployment.

On July 16, 2005, TARAWA departed San Diego as flagship of Expeditionary Strike Group One with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked. The amphibious ships of the group included USS CLEVELAND (LPD 7) and USS PEARL HARBOR (LSD 52). Other ships operating with the group during the deployment included USS CHOSIN (CG 65) and USS INGRAHAM (FFG 61). During the transit across the Pacific, the group conducted combined training and exercises with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and other regional naval forces.

On August 15, 2005, TARAWA and the accompanying amphibious ships arrived at Darwin, Australia, for a scheduled port visit. Following the visit, the group proceeded westward through the Indonesian archipelago and across the Indian Ocean toward the Arabian Sea. On August 30, TARAWA's expeditionary strike group entered the U.S. Naval Forces Central Command area of responsibility and began preparations for further operations in the Middle East.

During September 2005, TARAWA participated in Exercise Bright Star 2005, a large multinational military exercise conducted in Egypt. The exercise involved naval, ground and aviation forces from the United States, Egypt and other participating nations and included amphibious landing demonstrations and combined military training. On September 15, the expeditionary strike group and the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit conducted an amphibious assault demonstration in the Mubarak Military City training area. The exercise continued through late September, with participating forces conducting command-and-control training, landing operations and logistical support exercises.

Following Bright Star, TARAWA and her expeditionary strike group continued maritime security operations in the northern Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. The ships conducted surveillance and maritime security patrols in support of U.S. naval operations in the region, while embarked Marines maintained amphibious and contingency response capabilities. During the deployment, TARAWA made logistical and port visits in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, including support periods at Dubai and Jebel Ali.

Following the October 8, 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, Rear Admiral Michael A. LeFever, Commander, TARAWA Expeditionary Strike Group, was assigned to coordinate U.S. military disaster assistance activities in Islamabad. The relief effort involved helicopters, transport aircraft and medical personnel supporting the delivery of supplies and evacuation of injured survivors. Although much of the assistance was provided by military forces operating ashore and from regional air bases, the operation was closely associated with the command organization of TARAWA's expeditionary strike group.

During the final months of the deployment, TARAWA continued operations in the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman before beginning her return passage across the Indian Ocean. She visited Singapore from January 18 to 21, 2006, and subsequently proceeded to Hong Kong, arriving on January 25 for a scheduled port visit. Following the visit, TARAWA continued eastward across the Pacific and returned to San Diego on February 20, 2006, completing a deployment of approximately seven months.

Following post-deployment leave and maintenance, TARAWA resumed operational training and preparation for her final major overseas deployment. During 2006 and 2007, the ship conducted amphibious training and readiness exercises with Marine Corps units and underwent maintenance to sustain her aviation and amphibious capabilities. On November 5, 2007, TARAWA departed San Diego with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked for her fourteenth and final Western Pacific deployment. The expeditionary strike group included USS CLEVELAND, USS GERMANTOWN (LSD 42), USS PORT ROYAL (CG 73), USS HOPPER (DDG 70) and USS INGRAHAM.

While crossing the Pacific and proceeding toward the Indian Ocean, TARAWA received orders to support humanitarian relief operations in Bangladesh following Cyclone Sidr, which struck the country on November 15, 2007. The cyclone caused extensive flooding and destruction in coastal communities, damaging transportation and communications infrastructure and leaving large numbers of people in need of assistance. TARAWA and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit were assigned to Operation Sea Angel II, joining American and international forces providing emergency relief.

On December 3, 2007, TARAWA arrived in the relief operating area off Bangladesh, taking over humanitarian assistance responsibilities previously performed by USS KEARSARGE (LHD 3). Beginning December 4, TARAWA's helicopters and embarked personnel delivered food, drinking water, water purification tablets, blankets and medical supplies to affected coastal communities. Medical personnel from TARAWA and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit also provided treatment and assistance to survivors. The ship's aviation facilities enabled supplies and personnel to reach areas where damaged roads and flooded terrain had severely restricted overland access.

TARAWA continued relief flights during the first week of December, delivering more than 49,000 pounds of humanitarian supplies during the military assistance phase of the operation. The U.S. military portion of Operation Sea Angel II concluded on December 7, although civilian and international relief efforts continued. Following completion of her assignment, TARAWA resumed her planned deployment and arrived at Singapore on December 12 for a scheduled port visit.

During the first months of 2008, TARAWA operated in the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of responsibility, conducting maritime security patrols, amphibious training and exercises with regional military forces. The ship and embarked Marines carried out training in the Arabian Gulf region, including operations associated with the movement of vehicles and equipment between amphibious ships and shore facilities in Kuwait. These activities involved landing craft, aviation units and ground combat elements of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Following completion of her Middle East operations, TARAWA began her homeward passage through the Indian Ocean and toward Australia. On May 2, 2008, the ship arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia, for a port visit that continued until May 5. After departing Fremantle, TARAWA proceeded around the southern coast of Australia and arrived at Hobart, Tasmania, on May 9. The ship remained at Hobart until May 13, conducting a scheduled port visit that included opportunities for the crew to visit the city and participate in community activities.

After leaving Tasmania, TARAWA proceeded across the Pacific Ocean toward Hawaii and California. On June 3, 2008, she arrived at Naval Base San Diego, completing her fourteenth and final Western Pacific deployment. Although her final overseas deployment had ended, TARAWA remained operational during the summer of 2008. In August, she departed San Diego to participate in Fuerzas Aliadas PANAMAX 2008, a multinational exercise conducted in the eastern Pacific and waters associated with the Panama Canal. The exercise involved naval and military forces from the United States and numerous countries in North, Central and South America and focused on maritime security, protection of the Panama Canal and multinational command-and-control procedures. During the exercise, TARAWA operated as a major command and aviation platform and conducted training with participating forces.

On August 29, 2008, TARAWA returned to Naval Base San Diego following the completion of PANAMAX 2008, her final operational exercise. In September, the Navy announced that the ship would be retired after more than 32 years of commissioned service. Preparations for inactivation continued during the autumn as equipment and supplies were removed and the crew prepared the ship for decommissioning.

On December 4, 2008, TARAWA held a decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, attended by former commanding officers, crew members, families and Navy and Marine Corps representatives. The ship was formally decommissioned on March 31, 2009, and subsequently transferred to the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility at Middle Loch, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where she remained in inactive status for approximately fifteen years.

Following an extended period in the inactive fleet and unsuccessful efforts to preserve the ship as a museum, TARAWA was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on April 30, 2024. She was subsequently designated for use as a target during the multinational Rim of the Pacific exercise RIMPAC 2024, conducted in Hawaiian waters. The Military Sealift Command rescue and salvage ship USNS GRASP (T-ARS 51) towed TARAWA from Pearl Harbor to the designated target area north of Kauai in preparation for a live-fire sinking exercise.

On July 19, 2024, ex-TARAWA was sunk during a RIMPAC 2024 Sinking Exercise (SINKEX) more than 50 nautical miles north of Kauai, Hawaii, in approximately 15,000 feet of water. During the exercise, the former amphibious assault ship was struck by a Naval Strike Missile launched from the Royal Australian Navy destroyer HMAS SYDNEY (DDG 42), together with other weapons employed during the coordinated live-fire event. The exercise also included the former USS DUBUQUE (LPD 8), which had been sunk in a separate SINKEX on July 11.

The photos below were taken by William Chiu when USS TARAWA visited Hong Kong on November 24, 1989.

The photos below were taken by Ian Johnson and show the TARAWA at Fremantle, Australia, on May 5, 2008, during her fifth and final visit to Fremantle.

The photo below was taken by Thomas Heinrich and shows the TARAWA at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on March 21, 2009 - ten days before she was officially decommissioned.

The photos below were taken by me and show the TARAWA laid-up at Pearl Harbor, Hi., on March 20, 2010.

The photos below were taken by Sebastian Thoma and show the TARAWA laid-up in Middle Loch at Pearl Harbor, Hi., on March 18, 2022.

Period	Homeport
commissioned at Pascagoula, Miss.
1976 - 2009	San Diego, Calif.