The This was reported by the US Navy they will name the new American-class amphibious assault ship (LHA), USS Fallujah, in tribute to two of the bloodiest battles of the Iraq war.
“It is an honor to remember the Marines, Soldiers and coalition partners who fought valiantly and gave their lives in both battles in Fallujah,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. said in a press release on Tuesday.
The U.S. Navy has not yet announced when the USS Fallujah will be commissioned, but the ship is slated to support Marine Corps operations.
Ships such as the USS Fallujah are typical of the US military and are called upon primarily to support humanitarian issues and missions around the world.
The U.S. military and its coalition partners fought two fierce battles in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004, both of which were considered among the bloodiest battles of the Iraq War.
In April 2004, US forces launched a mission to kill or capture insurgents they believed were responsible for killing US military contractors in Fallujah.
The second battle, which took place between November and December of that year, was an attempt by the US military to regain full control of the city after the rebels managed to regain ground lost in the first battle.
The combination of the two battles is considered the toughest and bloodiest of the Iraq War, as troops fought house-to-house in intense urban warfare. More than 100 soldiers from US and coalition forces killed in both battles.
In addition to the number of casualties, about 600 military personnel were injured in both battles in Fallujah.
A new American-class amphibious assault ship commemorates and honors those who fought and died in battle.
The new LHA-9 will be the fourth ship of its type in the US Navy.
“This name deserves to be in the pantheon of great Marine Corps battles, and the LHA’s unique capabilities serve as a clear reminder to everyone around the world of the bravery, courage and commitment to freedom of those who fought in combat.”
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