SITE NAVIGATION

SHIP SPECIFIC INFORMATION

TYPE	DOCK LANDING SHIPS (LSD)
CLASS	WHIDBEY ISLAND
OFFICIAL NAME	USS COMSTOCK
PENNANT NUMBER	45
NICKNAME	N/A
MOTTO	TEAMWORK, DRIVE, COURAGE
BUILDER	AVONDALE INDUSTRIES
CONTRACT AWARD DATE	11/26/1984
KEEL LAYING DATE	10/27/1986
LAUNCH DATE	01/16/1988
DELIVERY DATE	01/12/1990
COMMISSION DATE	02/03/1990
PLANNING YARD	PUGET SOUND DETACHMENT BREMERTON, WA
NAVSEA PMS	470
CUSTODIAN	US NAVY
STATUS	ACTIVE DUTY
HOMEPORT	SAN DIEGO, CA
MAILING ADDRESS	FPO, AP, 96662-1733
UIC (UNIT IDENT. CODE)	21452
TYPE COMMANDER	SURFPAC
FLEET COMMAND	N/A
GROUP COMMAND	N/A
SQUADRON COMMAND	N/A

DOCK LANDING SHIPS

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LSD 45 | USS COMSTOCK

Namesake:

Comstock Lode, NV

USS COMSTOCK is the second ship to be named after the Comstock Lode, an early American pioneer mining site near Virginia City, Nevada. The Comstock Lode, founded in 1859, has become indelible in the history of the American West; it produced more than $500,000,000 in gold and silver.

Equally important as the riches the mine produced were the peripheral effects that it had on other industries. To mine the ore, huge hoisting machines, giant pumps, heavy stamps, drills, cables and hundreds of other tools were manufactured. To drain water from underground reservoirs, engineers completed a five- mile tunnel under the floor of the Carson River to the Comstock mine.

Water required for the 40,000 inhabitants of Virginia City and its surrounding area was transported from an artificial lake, Marlette, 30 miles away in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Using pipes that were cast to fit around mountains, tunnels, flumes and a large inverted siphon, the water transportation and distribution system was a considered an engineering marvel during this epochal period.

Historical Notes:

Since her commissioning in early 1990, COMSTOCK has completed three extended deployments to the Western Pacific and Middle East Forces, and has completed one deployment to the Southern Pacific conducting counter narcotic operations.

Since being commissioned, COMSTOCK has been at the "tip of the spear". She participated in evacuation operations after Mt. Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines. She was on station during Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm, and particpated in Operation Continue Hope off the coast of Somalia. Time and again COMSTOCK's ability to perform under pressure has been demonstrated by the Sailors and Marines that serve their country with pride.

In December, 1995 COMSTOCK returned from an extended deployment to the Arabian Gulf in continued support of United Nations and United States policies for that region. Among the highlights of the deployment were integrated amphibious operations with the Jordanian Armed Forces during Operation Infinite Moonlight.

COMSTOCK is a "can do" ship with "can do" Sailors and Marines. The ship was the first USN combatant to have a fully integrated crew of male and female Sailors.

Sailors on COMSTOCK have seen the world with port visits to the tropical climes and Asian shopping extravaganzas with stops in Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan. Her extensive tours in the Arabian Gulf have been highlighted by visiting such ports as: Aquaba, Jordan; Manama, Bahrain; Kuwait City, Kuwait; and Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates. Other popular ports of call for COMSTOCK have included: Mombasa, Kenya; Seychelles; Perth, Australia; and Hawaii. Not all the good liberty ports are overseas, however. Some of the best visits have been to some of America's fine west coast cities, such as San Francisco and Monterey, California.

Ship's Crest:

The Shield: The wavy blue and white bars symbolize the sea and movement across the water. The shield contains an orle of billets, which represents COMSTOCK's ability to perform multi- missions simultaneously. There are sixteen billets, each marking one of the sixteen battle stars won by the original USS COMSTOCK (LSD 19). The arrowhead denotes the thrust of the amphibious assault. The ability to drive ashore and conduct sustained combat landing operations is the hallmark of a Landing Ship Dock. The color gold, implying excellence, combined with the silver waves, illustrates the great and diverse wealth of the Comstock Lode, for which the ship is named.

The Crest: The silver star commemorates the Comstock Lode in Nevada, the Silver State, and stands for the Meritorious Unit Commendation awarded to the first USS COMSTOCK for service in Vietnam. It is displayed and protected by an alligator, the symbol of amphibious warfare, which is renowned for his vigilance and strength. The alligator stands on a grassy knoll characterizing the end of the mission, which often includes landing Marines and their equipment on hostile shores. The swords are representative of the cooperation of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps team. The pick and shovel illustrate the hard work, tenacity, and skill required to achieve and maintain excellence. The mine entrance is another reference to the Comstock Lode, and the color red exemplifies courage.

Motto: Teamwork Drive Courage