The Navy has officially stated that it is going to be naming the next amphibious assault ship USS Helmand Province, in honor of the service and sacrifice of the Marines, Navy corpsmen, allies, and partners in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced at the Modern Day Marine Conference in Washington, D.C.
Del Toro added the naming of the ship after Helmand province was a recognition “of the bravery and sacrifice of our Marines and our sailors who fought for almost 20 years in the mountains of Afghanistan.” In the fall of 2022, he announced another America-class amphibious assault ship would be named USS Fallujah for the many Marines who fought in Iraq.
The ship’s sponsor will be Trish Smith, wife of Marine Commandant Gen. Eric Smith, who will support construction milestones and the crew once operational. She spoke in depth about what the name truly meant to her—the region was an unforgiving area with harsh conditions, a Taliban stronghold, and home to the heart of the opium trade. The Marines and their allies showed remarkable courage and resiliency.
Gen. Eric Smith heaped praise on numerous heroics by various Marines, like Medal of Honor recipient Cpl. Kyle Carpenter, who shielded others from a grenade explosion in Marjah, and Sgt. Christopher Farias, who orchestrated his Marines’ defense despite serious wounds in the ambush at Kajak. He honored Lance Cpl. Donald Hogan, who had given his life to save his squad from a roadside bomb.
“Three hundred and sixty-six Marines lost their lives to hostile action in Afghanistan during the Helmand campaign, and almost 5,000 more were wounded,” Smith noted. Beyond combat, Marines trained Afghan counterparts, supported local governance, and helped develop infrastructure helping the region inch closer to peace and stability.
One example came from Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Carlos Ruiz, who spent time in Helmand: “I remember one day toward the end of 2009, leading a shock trauma platoon to recover wounded Marines. Although it was hostile, he remembered their determination and bravery which still seemed unparalleled.
Marine veteran Cole Lyle, who served in Helmand, called the naming a source of pride permanent memorial to the sacrifices and bonds forged in the province: “I’ll be proud to point at the USS Helmand one day and tell my son about the Corps’ role in Afghanistan and some of my heroes who served there.”.
The USS Helmand Province helps represent the continued memory of the Marines’ sacrifices in Afghanistan, so their actions would never be forgotten.