USS Carter Hall (LSD-50)

USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) is a Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship of the United States Navy. She was the second Navy ship to be named for Carter Hall, an estate near Winchester, Virginia, built in the 1790s.

Carter Hall was laid down on 11 November 1991, by the Avondale Shipyards, New Orleans, La.; launched on 2 October 1993; and commissioned on 30 September 1995.

As of 2008, Carter Hall, is homeported at NAB Little Creek, Virginia, and assigned to Amphibious Squadron Six.

Overview
The mission of the Landing Ship Dock (LSD) is to transport and launch amphibious craft, vehicles, crews and embarked personnel in an amphibious assault. An LSD can also render limited docking and repair service to small ships and craft, and act as the Primary Control Ship (PCS) during amphibious assaults.

Carter Hall is a Cargo Variant (CV) of the Whidbey Island-class. A significant difference between the two classes is that Carter Hall ' s well deck has been shortened from 440 feet (134 m) to 180 feet (55 m). This provides Marines with added vehicle and cargo storage areas. The well deck can hold two Landing Craft Air Cushions (LCAC) and a variety of landing craft and tracked amphibious assault vehicles. Carter Hall ' s two-spot flight deck can land and service any helicopter in the Navy and Marine Corps inventory.

Ship's Coat of Arms
The colors of the field red, white, and blue, stand for the United States. The saltier recalls the heritage of the South in the history of Carter Hall in Millwood, Virginia. The anchor represents the Navy. The times are in the form of pheons, symbolizing the mission of support to assault operations. The loose rope intertwined with the anchor signifies freedom. The border denotes unity. Dark blue and gold are the colors traditional associated with he Navy; red for courage, white for integrity. The griffin denotes courage and vigilance. The crown refers to the heritage of Carter Hall, recalling the Great grandfather of its builder, known as "King" Carter. The battle stars of the first Carter Hall (LSD 3) are commemorated by the arc of battle stars, five gold for her service in Vietnam. The motto is underscored by the olive branch for peace and the oak for war. Gold is for excellence and red for courage. The arms are emblazoned on a white oval enclosed by a blue collar edge on the outside with a gold rope and bearing the inscription "USS Carter Hall" at the top and "LSD-50" at the bottom in gold.

Deployments
Carter Hall and her plankowner crew departed on their first six-month Mediterranean deployment on 29 April 1997.

Her crew completed a UNITAS/WATC Deployment from 24 July 1999 until 15 December 1999.

In 2001, Carter Hall deployed to the Mediterranean from 15 April to 15 October 2001.

Somalia
On 2 June 2007, the Carter Hall engaged pirates after they boarded the Danish ship Danica White off the coast of Somalia. She destroyed three small boats being towed behind the captured vessel, but was unable to pursue after the vessel entered Somalian waters.

2010 Haiti earthquake
On 13 January 2010, the Carter Hall was ordered to assist the humanitarian efforts following the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Hurricane Sandy
On 31 October 2012, the Carter Hall was sent towards the Hurricane Sandy impact area in case the USN was needed to support the disaster relief efforts.