USS Denver - LPD 9

lpd-9
An Austin-class amphibious transport dock, this is the third ship of the United
States Navy to bear this name. Denver’s keel was laid 7 July 1964 at Lockheed
Shipbuilding and Construction Company, Seattle, Washington. She was launched
23 January 1965, christened by Mrs. John A. Love, wife of the Governor of
Colorado, and commissioned 26 October 1968.
In 1970 the USS Denver played a key role in the SS Columbia Eagle incident.
When the SS Columbia Eagle was commandeered by two mutinous crew
members on 14 March 1970, Denver was immediately dispatched to intercept and
recapture Columbia Eagle. In April 1975, Denver participated in Operation
Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon, Vietnam.
Denver took part in Westpac 84 and took part in several operations including
Operation Beach Guard, Operation Cobra Gold, & Operation Valiant Usher. On
her return trip in December 1984, Denver participated in a tiger cruise. It was
during this time that she collided with USS New Orleans in a refueling exercise,
New Orleans who had her elevator out and smashed into the Denver several
times. (read more)
On July 13, 2000, the ship was participating in a refueling exercise near the end of
a deployment with the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) BHR ARG. Denver, off
the coast of Oahu, rear-ended its refueling vessel, USNS Yukon. Damage to
Denver was severe, tearing away 3/4 of her bow, leaving only the very top portion.
Denver remained in port at Pearl Harbor for two weeks undergoing repairs before
leaving for her final destination in San Diego, California.
Beginning on August 17, 2009 Denver started rendering humanitarian assistance
to Taiwan due to the destruction caused by Typhoon Morakot. Denver was tasked
independently to render aid, along with two embarked squadrons, HM-14 and
HSC-25. They are currently supporting efforts by airlifting food, medical supplies,
and providing heavy lift support for earth moving equipment to assist with
recovery efforts. Due to the sensitive nature surrounding Taiwan, especially with
the One China policy, the Department of Defense did not publicly announce
relief efforts. Denver is planned to be in the vicinity of Taiwan until August 22,
2009 to render aid to the people of Taiwan. Denver had just completed Talisman
Saber 2009 and was on her way to her homeport when she was directly tasked
with this humanitarian mission.
The Denver was sent to Sumatra to assist in the recovery efforts following the
earthquakes there. During the 2010 Fall Patrol, from September 1 to November 25,
2010, the Denver accompanied the USS Essex and the USS Harper's Ferry on a
tour of Southeast Asia. During the patrol, the Denver took part in the 60th
anniversary of the invasion of Incheon, Korea and assisted the Philippines in the
wake of Typhoon Megi. On Nov. 17, the Denver, Essex and Harper's Ferry became
the first U.S. warships to visit Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor in more than two
years.