USS Carter Hall (LSD-50)

USS "Carter Hall" (LSD-50) is a of the United States Navy. She is the second U.S. Navy ship to be named for Carter Hall, an estate near Winchester, Virginia, built in the 1790s.
"Carter Hall"s keel was laid down on 11 November 1991 by the Avondale Shipyards at New Orleans, Louisiana. The ship was launched on 2 October 1993 and commissioned on 30 September 1995.
As of January 2019, "Carter Hall" is homeported at JEBLC, Virginia, and assigned to Amphibious Squadron Four.
Overview.
The mission of the Landing Ship Dock (LSD) is to transport and launch amphibious craft, vehicles, crews and embarked personnel in an amphibious assault. An LSD can also render limited docking and repair service to small ships and craft, and act as the Primary Control Ship (PCS) during amphibious assaults.
"Carter Hall" is a Cargo Variant (CV) of the . A significant difference between the two classes is that "Carter Hall"s well deck has been shortened from to . This provides Marines with added vehicle and cargo storage areas. The well deck can hold two Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCAC) and a variety of landing craft and tracked amphibious assault vehicles. "Carter Hall"s two-spot flight deck can land and service any helicopter in the Navy and Marine Corps inventory.
History.
1990s.
"Carter Hall" and her plankowner crew departed on their first six-month Mediterranean deployment on 29 April 1997. Her crew completed a UNITAS/WATC Deployment from 24 July 1999 until 15 December 1999.
2000s.
In 2001, "Carter Hall" deployed to the Mediterranean Sea from 15 April to 15 October 2001.
On 2 June 2007, "Carter Hall" engaged pirates after they boarded the Danish ship off the coast of Somalia. The LSD destroyed three small boats being towed behind the captured vessel, but was unable to pursue after the vessel entered Somalian waters.
2010s.
On 13 January 2010, "Carter Hall" was ordered to assist the humanitarian efforts following the 2010 Haiti earthquake.
On 31 October 2012, "Carter Hall" was sent towards the Hurricane Sandy impact area in case the United States Navy was needed to support the disaster relief efforts.
In April 2016, one of "Carter Hall"s sailors died after falling overboard from the ship. Navy and Coast Guard units searched for the sailor, but to no avail.
2020s.
On , "Navy Times" reported that a Navy spokesperson confirmed that "[s]everal crew members" assigned to "Carter Hall" had tested positive for COVID-19 on . The spokesperson declined to provide an exact number of sailors, citing Defense Department policy, but added that those infected were "being checked on each day by their leadership [and] receiving deliveries of food and essential items". At the time, the ship was docked at its home base. Most of the roughly 400 crew members were brought ashore while the ship was being sanitized.
In December 2020 the U.S. Navy's Report to Congress on the Annual Long-Range Plan for Construction of Naval Vessels stated that the ship was planned to be placed Out of Commission in Reserve in 2023.
Ship's coat of arms.
The colors of the field red, white, and blue, stand for the United States. The saltire recalls the heritage of the South in the history of Carter Hall in Millwood, Virginia. The anchor represents the Navy. The times are in the form of pheons, symbolizing the mission of support to assault operations. The loose rope intertwined with the anchor signifies freedom. The border denotes unity. Dark blue and gold are the colors traditional associated with the Navy; red for courage, white for integrity. The griffin denotes courage and vigilance. The crown refers to the heritage of Carter Hall, recalling the Great grandfather of its builder, known as "King" Carter. The battle stars of the first are commemorated by the arc of battle stars, five gold for her service in Vietnam. The motto is underscored by the olive branch for peace and the oak for war. Gold is for excellence and red for courage. The arms are emblazoned on a white oval enclosed by a blue collar edge on the outside with a gold rope and bearing the inscription "USS "Carter Hall"" at the top and "LSD-50" at the bottom in gold.