A landing craft air cushioned aproaches the amphibious transport dock ship Pre-commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21). The LCAC is embarking personnel and equipment aboard New York for the ship's Nov. 7 commissioning in New York. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Tommy Bellegarde/Released)By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Rachael L. Leslie and Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Cory Rose, Pre-Commissioning Unit New York Public Affairs
PCU NEW YORK, At Sea (NNS) -- The future USS New York (LPD 21) conducted surface and air onloads Oct. 30 just off the coast of Camp Lejeune, N.C., in preparation for the ship's Nov. 2 arrival in its namesake state, where it is scheduled to be commissioned Nov. 7.
The ship utilized landing craft air cushions (LCAC) embarked from Assault Craft Unit 4, beach masters from Beach Master Unit 2 and almost every type of helicopter available in the Marine Corps inventory.
"The ship's crew did an outstanding job of synchronizing all facets of the onload," said Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 3 Shawn McGowan, the ship's combat cargo officer. "They utilized the expertise of many personnel to conduct a simultaneously-executed onload."
Some of the shipboard divisions involved in the evolution included debark control, well deck control, combat systems and the pilot house. In addition to the LCACs, helicopters included CH-53 Sea Stallion, AH-1W Super Cobra, UN-1N Huey and an MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.
"It's amazing to me how much coordination it took to both land helicopters and embark landing craft simultaneously," said McGowan. "The efforts of all personnel can not be overstated."
The ship took on more than 14 pieces of combat equipment and vehicles, which now occupy the well deck spaces. They will remain on static display when the ship pulls into New York City Nov. 2, for public viewing until Nov. 11 when the ship will head back to its home port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
