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)
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INDIAN OCEAN (Nov. 1, 2015) Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Sean Repp performs maintenance on a 25mm machine gun aboard Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47). Rushmore is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), is currently operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chelsea Troy Milburn/Released)
ARABIAN SEA (Oct. 9, 2015) Boatswain's Mate Seaman Recruit Clinton Harris stands as helmsman under instruction with Seaman Jimmanice Frost in the pilot house of Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47). Rushmore is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chelsea Troy Milburn/Released)
ARABIAN GULF (Sep. 5, 2015) Sailors chock and chain an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, from the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, on the flight deck of Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47). Rushmore is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and, with the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chelsea Troy Milburn/Released)
Good evening Rushmore fans! (Good morning for us)
Just a friendly reminder addressing recent questions about operational security.
Please don't post about your Sailor's or Marine's plans in port, Rushmore's departure/arrival dates, or potential future port visits. Help us keep them safe. As always, thank you so much for your support!
INDIAN OCEAN (June 17, 2015) An MV-22 Osprey takes off from the flight deck of Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47). The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is currently operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chelsea Troy Milburn/Released)
A Helping Hand
U.S. Marine Cpl. Jennifer Ko gives an apple to a distressed mariner aboard the USS Rushmore (LSD 47), after she was rescued from a sinking craft in the Makassar Strait, June 11, 2015. Ko is a supply warehouse clerk with Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Once on board, distressed mariners were provided food and medical attention by Marines and Sailors of the 15th MEU and Essex Amphibious Ready Group before being transferred to an Indonesian coast guard vessel. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Emmanuel Ramos/Released)
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