USS Juneau Reunion Group

History of the USS Juneau

Named for the capital of Alaska, USS JUNEAU’s keel was laid on 23 January 1965 by Lockheed Shipbuilding and Construction Company in Seattle, Washington. The “Mighty J” was launched on 12 February 1966 with Mrs. William A. Egan, wife of the governor of Alaska, as a sponsor.

Commissioned on 12 July 1969, USS JUNEAU went right to work patrolling the high seas, JUNEAU ventured into Vietnamese waters eight times during the 1970’s on five different deployments. The “Mighty J” showed its prowess early earning five battle stars for efforts during the Vietnam War. The first AV-88 Harrier landing on a Pacific Fleet LPD was conducted by JUNEAU in February 1976.

The 1980s were even busier for JUNEAU with seven full deployments. She was the first Naval Vessel on station after the EXXON VALDEZ oil spill in April of 1989. She provided logistical support and assumed the duties of command and control ship for Joint Task Force Alaska.

During the escalade in the Persian Gulf in 1990, JUNEAU joined 12 ships of Amphibious Group Three in Operation Desert Storm. This was the largest amphibious task force since the United Nations assault on lnchon, North Korea.

ln May 1991 , The “Mighty J” provided relief after a cyclone in Bangladesh as part of Operation Sea Angel. JUNEAU also supported Operation Restore Hope in Somalia with the aid of embarked Marines.

In 1999, JUNEAU participated in the first ship swap of the U.S. Navy with sister ship USS DUBUQUE (LPD B). The crew of JUNEAU swapped with the crew of the DIJBUQUE as the JUNEAU switched its homeport to Sasebo, Japan. The crews stayed in the same port and the ships swapped out. ln 1999, JUNEAU has become America’s 911 LPD with deployments to the Gulf and patrols throughout Asia.

ln 2008, JUNEAU participated in a second Hull Swap when she was relieved by the USS DENVER (LPD 9). The crew of JUNEAU swapped with the crew of DENVER as the JUNEAU crew stayed Forward Deployed in Sasebo, Japan, the DENVER crew headed back to San Diego, CA to commence
inactivation.

On the journey back east JUNEAU made a port call in her namesake city to participate in Alaska’s 50th Anniversary Celebration. USS JUNEAU was decommissioned on 31 October 2008 at Naval Base San Diego, California.