SASEBO, Japan – Tristan Holt, a Hull Maintenance Technician Fireman, serves aboard the USS New Orleans (LPD 18). Currently, he is stationed in Sasebo, Japan.

Holt, who is an Athens resident, is subject to physical health checks that medical personnel conduct during integrated firefighting drills under the auspices of Federal Fire personnel aboard the USS New Orleans. The fire drill involves Federal Fire Fighters from Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo with sailors aboard the ship to train on fighting in-port fires.

The USS New Orleans, part of the America Amphibious Ready Group, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners. The crews serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The USS New Orleans is a transport dock ship with amphibious capability. The vessel is the second amphibious transport dock built in the San-Antonio class and the fifth ship in the U.S. Navy named after Louisiana’s largest city. Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Avondale of New Orleans, La. constructed the ship.

The ship was launched on Dec. 11, 2004 and was commissioned on March 10, 2007. The propulsion system has four marine Colt-Pielstick Diesels that are sequentially turbocharged. Two propellers push the ship.

USS New Orleans is 684 feet or 208.5 meters long. The beam is 105 feet or 31.9 meters, and the draft is 23 feet or 7 meters. Its displacement is approximately 24,900 tons with a speed of 22 knots.

Aircraft that can land on USS New Orleans’ landing platform includes all helicopters and the MV-22 Osprey. Maintenance facilities are available for one CH-53E or two CH-46s (or one MV-22 or three UH/AH-1s).

Its crew has 28 officers and 332 enlisted Sailors. The Marine Detachment involves 66 officers and 633 enlisted Sailors but can be expanded to 800. The ship’s homeport is San Diego, Calif.

The Army’s Institute of Heraldry designed the ship’s crest, based upon research into the namesake city and with assistance from the ship’s Commanding Officer, Commander Skillman. The eventual design for LPD 18 represents the ship’s crew, Navy, Marine Corps, other ships named ‘New Orleans’ and the City of New Orleans.

The Media Outreach Department with the Navy Office of Community Outreach in Millington, Tenn. produces these profiles. Mass Communication Specialist 2 Ethan M. Carter researched this article. For more information, visit outreach.navy.mil, Facebook/Navy Outreach, Twitter @NavyOutreach or Instagram @US_Navy_Outreach.