The Kearsarge is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship, and serves as flagship of the 22nd US Marine Expeditionary Unit. At 257 meters long and 60 meters wide, with a crew of around 1,700, it is believed to be the largest warship ever to hove to in Rīga. It is the namesake of a famous sloop from the American Civil War.
The USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), believed to be the largest warship ever to visit #Latvia, arrived at the port of Rīga to reinforce U.S. commitment to #Baltic security. Welcome! 🇱🇻🇺🇸 #StrongerTogether #WeAreNATO @USNavy @USNavyEurope @USArmyEURAF @US_EUCOM @Latvian_MFA @Latvijas_armija pic.twitter.com/aN8wkm13nY
— U.S. Embassy Riga (@USEmbassyRiga) September 6, 2022
The USS Kearsarge has been supporting Allied exercises in the Baltic Sea, demonstrating NATO’s amphibious power alongside the amphibious troop carriers USS Arlington and USS Gunston Hall.
The Kearsarge's firepower is considerable and includes AV-8B Harrier fighters, attack helicopters, hundreds of Marines and the ability to get them ashore via amphibious landings or air.
You can follow life on and below decks via the ship's Facebook page.
