Sam LaGrone – June 30, 2026 4:13 PM – Updated: July 1, 2026 10:37 AM
Amphibious warship USS San Antonio (LPD-17) departed Naval Station Norfolk, Va., on Monday as part of an extended deployment after a brief maintenance period, USNI News has learned.
A U.S. 2nd Fleet spokesperson confirmed San Antonio left Norfolk for a deployment but did not provide additional details on the mission.
San Antonio returned in April from a 258-day deployment as part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group mission to U.S. Southern Command. San Antonio deployed on Aug. 14, along with USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) and Flight II San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD- 28). Iwo Jima returned earlier this month along with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, while Fort Lauderdale remained in U.S. Southern Command.
As of Monday, Fort Lauderdale was in port at La Guaira, Venezuela, as part of the combined disaster relief mission in response to twin earthquakes last week. As of Tuesday, Fort Lauderdale has been deployed for an unprecedented 320 days.
USS San Antonio (LPD 17) San Antonio-class Flight I amphibious transport dock leaving Norfolk, Virginia – June 29, 2026 SRC: YT- ThimbleShoalsShipwatching pic.twitter.com/MWuCqAwuao
— WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) June 30, 2026
While the Navy did not specify San Antonio’s mission, the single amphibious ship deployment fits into how the Navy and Marine Corps have recently outlined naval presence operations in the region.
Last month, the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed across U.S. Southern Command in land-based nodes and aboard amphibious vessels of opportunity, USNI News reported at the time.
In April, Marine Corps leaders said the 24th MEU deployment would shift from the traditional ARG/MEU construct due to the lack of available amphibious warships.
“They are going to deploy because we’ve been given tasks to continue in the Caribbean even after 22 MEU comes home,” Lt. Gen. Jay Bargeron, the deputy commandant for plans, policies and operations, told reporters at the time. “There are no ships. There may be one that’s able to help with certain capabilities during certain times.”
San Antonio’s split deployment comes as the Marines have called for more amphibious lift to support trained MEUs.
Sam LaGrone
Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.
Email: slagrone@usni.org
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