USS Carter Hall (LSD-50)

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.

Carter Hall and her plankowner crew departed on their first six-month Mediterranean deployment on 29 April 1997. Her crew completed its UNITAS/WATC deployment in November.

The mission of the Landing Ship Dock (LSD) is to transport and launch loaded amphibious craft and vehicles and crews and embarked personnel in an Amphibious Assault. LSDs 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 embarked 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.

As of 2005, Carter Hall is homeported at NAB Little Creek, Virginia, and assigned to Amphibious Group 2.

See USS Carter Hall for other ships of the same name.

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