Command Mission
USS RUSHMORE is the 7th of 8 ships in the WHIDBEY ISLAND Class. This ship’s mission is to embark Marines with their combat
equipment and vehicles, then remain at sea as an on-call force to conduct a diverse range of amphibious operations such as:
training with international partners, providing humanitarian assistance or disaster relief, executing noncombatant evacuation,
and assaulting a hostile shore. In times of both war and peace, these missions are highly relevant to the
U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Cooperative Maritime Strategy.
RUSHMORE is designed primarily to embark and operate Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) assault hovercraft, which are able up to
carry a 60-ton payload and travel at speeds in excess of 40 knots. Using this versatile craft, RUSHMORE can conduct
amphibious operations across a wider range of the world’s beaches and at much greater distances than previous
generations of amphibious ships and conventional landing craft.
Officially designated a Landing Ship Dock (LSD), RUSHMORE accomplishes her mission through the use of a well deck and ballasting system to enable the loading, launching and recovery of landing craft. After departing the ship, assault craft are directed to shore by the ship’s Combat Information Center (CIC). The ship has robust command, control, and communications equipment. It carries electronic warfare suite and surface-to-air missile launchers to protect from anti-ship cruise missile attack. It also carries a variety of machine guns for self-defense against surface threats. Using its own small boats and Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) teams, RUSHMORE can also conduct Maritime Security Operations, such as anti-piracy and maritime surveillance.
With a 440-foot well deck capable of holding four LCACs, a flight deck able to land and launch two CH-53E (heavy lift) helicopters, the Navy’s
latest diesel propulsion and engineering technology, advanced repair facilities, a sophisticated air defense system, complete medical and
dental facilities, and troop berthing accommodations for up to 500 embarked Marines, the warship RUSHMORE represents an
exciting and formidable amphibious and maritime security capability.
The ship has a crew of approximately 300 and is organized into six departments: Operations, Deck, Engineering, Supply, Medical, and Executive.
USS RUSHMORE is named after Mount Rushmore National Monument in the Black Hills of South Dakota. RUSHMORE was built by Avondale Industries in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mrs. Meredith Brokaw, wife of NBC News anchorman Tom Brokaw, christened the ship on May 6, 1989.
Commissioning ceremonies were held on June 1, 1991 along the banks of the Mississippi River at the River Walk in New Orleans.
| Amphibs Families |
Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ESXARG):
USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and USS Rushmore (LSD 47)
This group does not have any discussions yet.
Comment
USS Rushmore Aids 65 People at Sea Near Indonesia
From Essex Amphibious Ready Group Public Affairs
Posted June 10, 2015
Distressed persons wait to be rescued by Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) in Makassar Strait, June 10.(U.S. Marine Corps/Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos)
MAKASSAR STRAIT - USS Rushmore (LSD 47) rendered assistance to 65 people on makeshift bamboo rafts in the waters between the Indonesian islands of Kalimantan and Sulawesi June 10.
Shipboard lookouts spotted the distressed persons waving orange and white flags. Rushmore's commanding officer, Cmdr. Thomas Stephens, ordered the launch of a small boat with two search and rescue swimmers to provide assistance. Rushmore Sailors discovered 65 people on sinking bamboo rafts tied together with no means of propulsion, food or water.
Sailors and Marines brought all 65 people on board the Rushmore for medical attention and will coordinate with local officials for their well-being.
"This is an example of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group's professional maritime skill and ability to be where it matters, when it matters to offer assistance," said Capt. Clint Carroll, commander, Essex Amphibious Ready Group.
Rushmore was transiting the Makassar Strait after having just completed a port visit to Manado, Indonesia.
As part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), Rushmore is in the Western Pacific en route to the Arabian Gulf for a routine deployment. Deployed with a Marine Expeditionary Unit, the ARG serves as a sea-based crisis response force capable of conducting amphibious missions across the full range of military operations.
PACIFIC OCEAN (May 16,2015) Amphibious Squadron 3 Commander Capt. Clint Carroll speaks to members of Naval Beach Group 1 embarked on Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) in the ship's well deck. Rushmore is on a scheduled deployment with the Essex Amphibious ready group, which is comprised of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), Rushmore, and the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD 23). (U.S. Navy photo by MCSN Chelsea Troy Milburn/Released)
Marine families, we hear you. We haven't forgotten your Marines, we promise. Expect a mix of blue and green photos throughout deployment. Thank you for your feedback and support!
PACIFIC OCEAN (May 19,2015)15th Marine Expeditionary Unit Marines transit to return to Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) aboard amphibious assault vehicles after conducting a beach landing in Hawaii. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chelsea Troy Milburn/Released)
150415-N-SF984-096 PACIFIC OCEAN (April 15, 2015) Deck department Sailors aboard the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) conduct a replenishment-at-sea with the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187). Rushmore and Essex are underway participating in a certification exercise with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Chelsea Troy Milburn/Released)
PACIFIC OCEAN (March 25, 2015) The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and the Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47) conduct a replenishment-at-sea with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Liam Kennedy/Released)
Bon Appetit': Marines turn up the heat...
U.S. Marine Cpl. George Gacilo prepares steaks for more than 700 Marines and Sailors aboard the USS Rushmore (LSD 47) during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) off the coast of San Diego March 22, 2015. Gacilo is a food service specialist with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The food service specialist Marines work long hours to ensure the Marines or Sailors are fed daily. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos/Released)
PACIFIC OCEAN (March 18, 2015) Sailors conduct a flight deck firefighting drill on the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47). Rushmore is underway participating in a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), which is comprised of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) THREE and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Chelsea Troy Milburn/Released)
Marines learn enemy tactics they may face while deployed...
U.S. Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit learn about improvised explosive devices aboard the USS Rushmore (LSD 47), during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) off the coast of San Diego March 18, 2015. The class covered lessons learned about improvised explosives used by Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos/Released)
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