LHA 6 heads to California

PASCAGOULA, Miss. -- The Navy's newest amphibious assault ship, LHA 6, set sail from Ingalls Shipbuilding Friday morning. America, which can accommodate 1,059 crew and 1,687 Marines, is slated for a commissioning on Oct. 11 in San Francisco. It will be homeported in San Diego. The ship can carry a variety of aircraft, including 12 MV-22 Osprey, nine F-35B Joint Strike Fighters, four AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, four CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters and two MH-60S search and rescue helicopters. (Source: Mississippi Press, 07/11/14)