USS America (LHA 6)

A common place for those who have sailors aboard the USS America (LHA 6).

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    My son has seen this ship up close and was super impressed by it! Looks like a mini US aircraft carrier to say the least...

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    Sailors from PCU America's (LHA 6) Supply Department stand on the flight deck of USS Boxer (LHD 4). Over the course of a few weeks, America Sailors received hands-on training aboard Boxer. Bravo Zulu for all of their exceptional work! Special thanks to Ensign Kelts from the Boxer for sending us the photo. - PAO

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

  • Phil Shannon

    Does anybody know how much longer the USS America LHA 6 will be in Pascagoula? 

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    Phil,

    I've asked the same question when my son on the Anchorage was in New Orleans pre-comm.

    The command ombudsman should be able to give you an idea:
    Elizabeth Martinez and Patti Robinson     AmericaOmbudsman@hotmail.com

  • ralph hinshaw

    heard from facebook. 

    We are happy to announce San Francisco will be our commissioning site. This decision brings us one step closer to joining the fleet. We still don't have the commissioning date yet, but will keep you posted. 
    the talk is sometime around March. some of the ATI group will be going to "c" school for 5 months starting now.
  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    Ralph thanks for posting this! :)

  • Phil Shannon

    I was hoping for Boston but San Fran is a city I always have wanted to visit! Looking forward to this. Although I know next to nothing about Commissioning I plan to be there and be as involved as possible.

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

  • Phil Shannon

    Thank you Gary, I just signed up for email updates...

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    Phil Cool! I bet the commissioning ceremony is gonna be awesome!

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    Commissioning Date TBD...

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    November 5, 2013

    131105-N-ZZ999-180 PASCAGOULA, Miss. - Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) America (LHA 6) departs Ingalls Shipyard Nov. 5 to begin Builder's Sea Trials. During the trials, the ship's main propulsion, communications, steering, navigational and radar systems will be tested for the first time at sea. America will be the first ship of its class, replacing the Tarawa class of amphibious assault ships. As the next generation "big-deck" amphibious ship, America will be optimized for aviation, capable of supporting current and future aircraft such as the tilt-rotor MV-22 Osprey and Joint Strike Fighter. The ship will provide flexible, multi-mission capabilities spanning from forward deployed crisis response to maritime security operations. The ship was christened on Oct. 20, 2012 and is currently undergoing construction in Pascagoula, Miss. (U.S. Navy photo illustration by Senior Chief Aviation Ordnanceman Lawrence Grove/Released

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    AMERICA families and friends,

    It’s time to stand up our Family Readiness Group (FRG)! We are looking for spouses or significant others to serve as president, vice president, secretary and treasurer for our plank owner FRG. If you’re interested in one of these positions, please send a short resume stating your name, contact information and background (name of your spouse or significant other, how long you have been together, number and ages of children, your work and interests, etc.). Make sure you include the position you are interested in, what you believe this position is, and why you want to serve in this role. Send application to CMC@LHA6.NAVY.MIL.

    The FRG is different than the ombudsman team as they serve different functions. The FRG provides a vital link between our families and the command by providing events allowing our families to interact even while our Sailors are away from home. Our FRG is the part of the team that helps keep our families together while we are away. They hold fun events such as movie night, deployment half way party, children play days at the park along with BBQ, and the big welcome home celebration!

    All resumes must be received by Friday, January 24, 2014. We hope to hold interviews shortly after.

    Very Respectfully,
    CMC

    (LJ)

    - via FB

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

  • Phil Shannon

    Looking good, LHA 6! Can't wait for the Commissioning...

  • Matt Laughlin

    Any update on commissioning date? My ABF son told me it has been delayed yet again.

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    Matt only thing that's currently posted - USS AMERICA (LHA 6) is scheduled to be commissioned in San Francisco in early September 2014. The exact date looks like TBD..

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    Commissioning AMERICA Committee Announces Invitation Policy
    by thomaslsnyder

    7 February 2014: The Commissioning AMERICA Committee announces its Commissioning Ceremony Invitation Procedure.

    Attendance at the USS AMERICA Commissioning Ceremony, now slated to occur in late September /early October 2014, will be by invitation only.

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    USS America (LHA 6)'s commissioning ceremony scheduled during San Francisco Fleet Week...

  • Phil Shannon

    They are still denying that it's going to happen on Fleet Week but we are about to book our flights. Going with Southwest so we can change the tickets if the dates change...

  • Phil Shannon

    Booked our flights last night. I wish they could have given some better preliminary info for planning purposes. We were like 'should we fly there on Wed or Thursday?' and 'should we come back home on Monday or Tuesday?' and have no idea so we just guessed. All we have to go on is the COmmander said Saturday of Fleet Week. Is there any FAQ on commissioning weekends where we can get an idea of what is involved? Do they have a reception or anything for family members, or are we just out on the docks with the general public? It sure would help having any info for families like ours, who have zero experience. /rant over

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    Good one Phil hope more info is posted as far as details for Commissioning Day.. If it does happen on Fleet Week which I am confident it will, the city will be a mad house and exciting all at the same time due to these events..

    http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news%2Fassignment_7&id...

  • Charles Allen

    Phil, Did you get an invitation yet? My son is assigned to the ship and his list has been submitted but no official invites yet. The person interviewed in the "Training Heats Up" video is my sailor. 

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    Charles BZ to your son and nice pix! The "OC" spray qual is not a fun one as my son would say heheh..

    I gather you guys are on the mailing? All you have to do is put your email address in... http://commissioningamerica.org/

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    Charles check your Inbox..

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

  • NavyDads Admin (Paul)

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    AMERICA Family and Friends,

    It’s official! AMERICA will be commissioned in San Francisco, California on Oct. 11, 2014.

    The AMERICA crew looks forward to this momentous day and we could not be more honored to commission AMERICA in a city so rich in naval history...

  • Phil Shannon

    Who else is going to San Fran? I can't wait. Finally nailed down all arrangements for flights hotels etc.

  • Richard A Caldwell

    We are going to San Fran!  been planning this for a long time.

  • Phil Shannon

    I can't wait! From what I hear San Fran is going to be packed with people for the weekend.

  • ralph hinshaw

    Sigh.... Can't make it. Will it be on web cam anywhere???
  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    Yeah it sure is going to be packed it's Fleet Week but it's gonna be a blast I'm sure! http://www.fleetweek.us/

    @Ralph they live streamed the Christening I'm almost sure the Navy will do the same for the Commissioning. Drop the LHA-6 Ombudsman a line and inquire..

  • Phil Shannon

    Thank you! We are planning to take public transport, and will leave very early in order to be seated before 9am

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

    http://commissioningamerica.org/invitationspolicy/

    There are lots of things to do, city tour offerings and a crapload of good dining options in and around the area.. Exciting times! :)

  • Phil Shannon

    @Ralph If you are on facebook this page has alot of coverage for the weekend activities https://www.facebook.com/FleetWeek

  • Phil Shannon

    We had an amazing time in San Francisco. And I was lucky enough to go on the Tiger Cruise too. I'm working on a blog that I will post here at Navy Dads where I'll share some pics and video. 

  • NavyDads Co-Admin, Gary

  • Richard A Caldwell

    Probably long over due but some photos from the Tiger Cruise. My son Patrick and I standing guard while CWIS was down.

  • Phil Shannon

    Finally framed the Commissioning poster that my sailor got for me 

  • Phil Shannon

    Sort of bummed out on some news. A year ago at RIMPAC Hawaii my sailor was still loving serving in the USNavy and planning to extend after her 6 years, for another 4 years. Now she is home and her plans have changed, she will be getting out in a year. The reason is what hit me, they didn't offer her any incentive to extend beyond her 6 years. She says the other CTT's she knows got 30k when their 6 years was up. Is there any chance that could change? Or does it mean the USNavy just doesn't need this rate at this time going forward?

  • NavyDads CoAdmin Jim Gramza

    Phil, I hope it's not just about the money for her. A re-enlistment bonus is nice, but it's not a guarantee. Maybe the other CTTs got a different deal when they enlisted. CTT is a tough rate and trust me, it's a rate that is needed. Not everyone can do it. I would hope that she doesn't get discouraged.