USS El Paso (LKA-117)
USS El Paso (AKA-117/LKA-117) | |
History | |
---|---|
Laid down: | 22 October 1968 |
Launched: | 17 May 1969 |
Commissioned: | 17 January 1970 |
Decommissioned: | 21 April 1994 |
Fate: | In reserve at Philadelphia, PA (as of 5/07). |
General Characteristics | |
Displacement: | 10,216 tons light, 18,589 tons full |
Length: | 575 ft 6 in |
Beam: | 82 ft |
Draft: | 25 ft 5 in |
Propulsion: | Automated steam turbine, 1 propeller, 22,000 SHP |
Speed: | 20 knots |
Complement: | 34 officers, 375 enlisted |
Armament: | 4 × twin 3"/50 rapid fire gun mounts |
Boats: | 4 × LCM-8, 4 × LCM-6, 2 × LCVP, 2 × LCPL |
USS El Paso (AKA-117/LKA-117) was a Charleston class amphibious cargo ship named after the city of El Paso, Texas. She served as a commissioned ship for 24 years and 3 months.
History
She was laid down as AKA-117 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., Newport News, VA on October 22, 1968, and redesignated LKA-117 on 1 January 1969. She was launched on 17 May 1969, and commissioned on 17 January 1970.
El Paso was not involved in the Vietnam War.
In 1993 El Paso deployed to the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf, and participated in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia.
She was decommissioned on 21 April 1994. As of 25 April 2003, she was berthed at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Philadelphia.
The ship earned several awards and campaign ribbons for her service.
There is no DANFS entry for the ship.