As part of the Fleet Week celebrations, USS America is open to the public at Piers 30-32 in the Port of San Francisco. I was able to get on board today to grab some shots for the record.
The typical aircraft complement is expected to be 12 MV-22B transports, six STOVL F-35B attack aircraft, four CH-53K heavy transport helicopters, seven AH-1Z/UH-1Y attack helicopters and two Navy MH-60S for air-sea rescue.
There were obviously no F-35B's around as a number of modifications need to be made to make it better withstand the great amounts of heat generated by the F-35B's engine exhaust when taking off or landing vertically.
On board were one example of each of the other types. Some of these were from HMLAT-303, so I am assuming other units will be allocated to the ship.
1. USS America LHA-6 Piers 30-32 Port of San Francisco
On the lower hangar deck there were a number of military vehicles. Interestingly there are large vehicle ramps between the decks, which is something I had never noticed / seen on previous carrier visits.
2. Military vehicles
On the upper hangar deck was a single MV-22B Osprey, neatly folded up into its storage configuration. Apparently the remaining airframes had been sent to Travis AFB
3. Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey, 167905, YW-09, VMM-165 'White Knights'
Up on the flight deck, an old TAV-8A is being used for manoeuvring practice.
4. Hawker Siddeley TAV-8A Harrier, 159378, KD-06
Ranged along the deck were the following:
5. Bell AH-1Z Viper, 168422, QT-629, HMLAT-303
6. Bell AH-1Z Viper, 168422, QT-629, HMLAT-303
7. Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk, 166305, ??-55, HSC-23
8. Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk, 167991, ??-43, HSC-23
9. Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk, 167991, ??-43, HSC-23
10. Bell UH-1Y Venom, 166757, QT-507, HMLAT-303
11. Sikorsky CH-53E Sea Stallion, 164363, YF-28, HMH-462 'Heavy Haulers'
12. Sikorsky CH-53E Sea Stallion, 164363, YF-28, HMH-462 'Heavy Haulers'
Leon
