USS Denver (LPD-9)

USS Denver (LPD-9), an Austin-class amphibious transport dock, is the third ship of United States Navy to bear this name. Denver’s keel was laid 7 July 1964 at Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company, Seattle, Washington. She was launched 23 January 1965, christened by Mrs. John A. Love, wife of the Governor of Colorado, and commissioned 26 October 1968. Denver is currently the oldest active ship in US service, following the deactivation of Enterprise on Dec 1, 2012.

Role in the SS Columbia Eagle mutiny
In 1970, the USS Denver played a key role in the SS Columbia Eagle incident. When the SS Columbia Eagle was commandeered by two mutinous crew members on 14 March 1970, Denver was immediately dispatched to intercept and recapture Columbia Eagle.

Vietnam War, 1975
In April 1975, Denver participated in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of Saigon, Vietnam.

1984
Denver took part in Westpac 84 and took part in several operations including Operation Beach Guard, Operation Cobra Gold, & Operation Valiant Usher. On her return trip in December 1984, Denver participated in a tiger cruise. It was during this time that she collided with USS New Orleans (LPH-11) in a refueling exercise, New Orleans who had her elevator out and smashed into the Denver several times.

Collision with USNS Yukon
On 13 July 2000, the ship was participating in a refueling exercise near the end of a deployment. Denver, off the coast of Oahu, collided with its refueling vessel, USNS Yukon (T-AO-202). Denver's bow was seriously damaged. It remained in port at Pearl Harbor undergoing repairs for two weeks.

Typhoon Morakot
Beginning on 17 August 2009 Denver started rendering humanitarian assistance to Taiwan due to the destruction caused by Typhoon Morakot. Denver was tasked independently to render aid, along with two embarked squadrons, HM-14 and HSC-25. They were supporting efforts by airlifting food, medical supplies, and providing heavy lift support for earth moving equipment to assist with recovery efforts. Due to the sensitive nature surrounding Taiwan, especially with the One China policy, the Department of Defense did not publicly announce relief efforts. Denver wa planned to be in the vicinity of Taiwan until 22 August 2009 to render aid to the people of Taiwan. Denver had just completed Talisman Saber 2009 and was on her way to her homeport when she was directly tasked with this humanitarian mission.

2009 Sumatra earthquakes
The Denver was sent to Sumatra to assist in the recovery efforts following the earthquakes there in September 2009.

2010
During the 2010 Fall Patrol, from 1 September to 25 November 2010, Denver accompanied the USS Essex and the USS Harper's Ferry on a tour of Southeast Asia. During the patrol, Denver took part in the 60th anniversary of the invasion of Incheon, Korea and assisted the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Megi. On 17 November, Denver, Essex and Harper's Ferry became the first U.S. warships to visit Hong Kong's Victoria Harbor in more than two years.

2011
The ship departed Sasebo in September 2011 for a patrol of the western Pacific. Accompanying the ship were the USS Germantown (LSD-42) and USS Essex (LHD-2).

Decommissioning
USS Denver is scheduled to be decommissioned and mothballed on 30 September 2014.