BALTOPS 24: USS New York visit to Gdynia

Yesterday, the 53rd edition of Baltops 24, which included more than 50 ships of different classes and types, 45 helicopters and aircraft and more than 9,000 soldiers – according to PAP, up to 12 thousand. This year's exercises brought together a powerful landing fleet, including as many as 5 large landing ships from 4 countries, one of which wrapped up into a port in Gdynia.

Visiting Port in Gdynia

Of the participating units, three are LHD (Landing Helicopter Dock): USS Wasp (LHD-1), Spanish Juan Carlos I (L61) and French Mistral (L9013). The first two can carry short/vertical take-off and landing jets on board. The other two units are LPD (Landing Platform Dock): American USS New York (LPD 21) and Dutch Johan de Witt (L801). June 18-19 USS New York docked at the French wharf in the Gdynia port of commerce. This visit, lasting several hours, was intended to supplement fuel and supplies.

San Antonio ships

This was San Antonio's third visit to the USS. New York, in the Polish port. Of the 12 built units of this type, the USS already moored at the Polish quays San Antonio and USS Arlington. USS New York stands out because 6.8 tons of steel from the ruins of the World Trade Center was used to build it, adding a unique symbolic meaning to it. The ship's name commemorates the September 11, 2001, when the World Trade Center in New York was attacked.

Short History of the USS New York

Vulture under USS New York On September 10, 2004, the launch took place on December 20, 2007, and the ship entered service in the US Navy on November 7, 2009. His motto is "Strength Forged Through Sacramente – Never Forget". The ship has a full buoyancy of 24 900 tons, a total length of 208.5 metres and a maximum width of 31.9 metres. The crew consists of 28 officers and 332 sailors and enlisted officers. On board may be embarked landing forces of 699 soldiers, including 66 officers and 633 privates, and up to a maximum of 800 people. USS New York is capable of transporting and operating EFV amphibious, LC landing ships, LCAC hovercraft and MV-22 Osprey type vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

USS equipment New York

On aircraft deck USS New York can base up to 4 CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters, 4 AH-1 SeaCobra, 4 UH-1 Iroquois, 2 CH-53E Super Stallion or 2 Osprey aircraft. The ship also carries 2 LCAC or 1 LCU and up to 14 AAV. LPD 21 uses four MAN Colt-Pielstick PC2.5 STC diesel engines with sequential turbocharge, reaching speeds of over 22 knots. It is equipped with a take-off deck and ramp that allows forCargo and the landing of soldiers and heavy military equipment. It is armed with 2 Bushmaster II guns 30 mm to defend against surface threats and in 2 RIM-116 RAM anti-aircraft missiles.

Written by Marcin Szywala

• Baltops 24 maneuvers in the Baltic Sea have begun