MISSION & STATS USS GUAM LPH-9 MISSION & STATS
The mission of the USS GUAM, one of Seven IWO Jima class amphibious assault ships built is to transport more than 1700 fully equipped Marine Assault Troops into combatr areas and land them by helocopter at designated inland points. This technique of vertical envelopment pioneered by the Navy-Marine Corps Team, exploits flexibility and suprise. Guam is capable of supporting a Marine Batallion Landing Team, it's armament, vehicles, equipment and a reinforced squadron of transport helicopters and various support personnel. Combat-ready Marinesare flown in-land behind the enemy's defenses by helicopters to isolate strategic strong points, disrupt communicatioins, and converge with beach landed Marines to gain ultimate control of their objective. Guam also supports mine-sweeping operations with Helicopter Mine Countermeasure Squadrons and provides humanitarian assistance and a non-combatant evacuations of American Embassy personnel and citizens caught in civil-conflict overseas.
STATISTICS
Keel Laid.......................................................................................................................................November 15, 1962
Launched.............................................................................................................................................August 22, 1964
Commissioned....................................................................................................................................January 16, 1965
Displacement.............................................................................................................................................18,300 tons
Length Overall...............................................................................................................................................602 Feet
Beam..............................................................................................................................................................84 Feet
Flight Deck Width..........................................................................................................................................104Feet
Draft, Full Load..................................................................................................................................26 feet 7 inches
Maximum Speed...........................................................................................................................................23 knots
Aircraft Capacity (Fixed Wing).....................................................4 AV-8B Harriers in place of some helicopters
Aircraft capacity (helicopters)........................................20 CH-46D/E Sea Knight or 11 CH-53 D Sea Stallions
