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La Salle (AGF 3) Class: Photographs


These photographs were selected to show the original configuration of this class and major subsequent modifications. For more views see the former NHHC (now Hyperwar) Online Library of Selected Images and the NavSource Photo Archive.

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

USS Vancouver (LPD 2)

One of two near sisters of La Salle at Subic Bay on 4 January 1967 with LCU 1483 departing her well enroute to USS Coconino County (LST 603) for transportation to the Mekong Delta for Operation Deckhouse V. Two visiting helicopters are on deck. The LPD 1 class could carry one LCU and three LCM(6) in the well (or nine LCM(6)s and no LCU) and also had two take-off spots on the flight deck above the well for cargo and troop transport helicopters but without the ability to base the helos on the ship.

Photo No. K-35596
Source: Shipscribe


USS Vancouver (LPD 2) launching LCU 1483 on 4 January 1967
USS Vancouver (LPD 2)

La Salle was preceded by two near sisters, Raleigh (LPD 1) and Vancouver (LPD 2), that had a single navigating bridge as seen here and no facilities for a flag officer. A flag bridge was inserted below the navigating bridge in La Salle, raising the superstructure by a deck level. This image is almost identical to one showing Vancouver off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, on 4 February 1967.

Photo No. USN, number near 1121666
Source: Shipscribe


USS Vancouver (LPD 2) circa 4 February 1967
USS La Salle (AGF 3)

Soon after completing conversion to a flagship. Her four 3"/50 twin gun mounts still lack shields and the SATCOM mast forward of the hangar has not yet been installed. She retains her LPD mast just forward of the port (after) stack and the HF discage antenna is in its original LPD position behind the bridge, here partly hidden behind the starboard (forward) stack.

Photo No. None
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (UA-164)


USS La Salle (AGF 3)
USS La Salle (AGF 3)

Underway in the Indian Ocean on 20 August 1975 while Middle East Force flagship. A lattice mast with a SATCOM antenna (without radome) has been added forward of the hangar and all four 3"/50 twin gun mounts have shields.

Photo No. K-110793
Source: Shipscribe


USS La Salle (AGF 3) on 20 August 1975
USS La Salle (AGF 3)

After returning to the Middle East in 1983 following a major overhaul. Note the addition of two CIWS mounts in place of the two after 3"/50 twin mounts and the deletion of the original LPD mast forward of the port stack. The HF discage antenna is now on the bow and there is a small radome (probably for SATCOM) on the lattice mast.

Photo No. Unknown
Source: U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (L-file)

USS La Salle (AGF 3) in 1983
USS La Salle (AGF 3)

Underway in the Persian Gulf in November 1987. Note the LPD dock gate in the stern, the small helicopter hangar to port with the large permanent canopy for a ceremonial area sloping down to the starboard side, and the crane with refueling gear rigged. The inscription above the hangar door reads "Welcome to the Great White Ghost, USS LaSalle." There are also several small-caliber defensive weapons discretely positioned around the flight deck.

Photo No. DN-ST-88-02754
Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-330)

USS La Salle (AGF 3) in November 1987
USS La Salle (AGF 3)

Underway in the Persian Gulf on 16 November 1990 during operation "Desert Shield".

Photo No. DN-SC-92-01082
Source: U.S. National Archives (RG-330)


USS La Salle (AGF 3) on 16 November 1990
USS La Salle (AGF 3)

Underway on 13 December 1996 in the harbor of Genoa, Italy, while Sixth Fleet flagship. She is now painted gray. Note the proliferation of radomes, most probably satellite related.

Photo No. Unknown
Source: NavSource, photo by Carlo Martinelli.

USS La Salle (AGF 3) on 13 December 1996
USS La Salle (AGF 3)

The Sixth Fleet command ship USS La Salle (AGF 3) steaming alongside USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) during flight operations on 17 January 2003. The broadband HF discage antenna on the bow has been removed and the stern, which still had its dock gate in 2001, has been plated in.

Photo No. 030119-N-9964S-009
Source: Wikimedia Commons from www.navy.mil (gone)


USS La Salle (AGF 3) on 17 January 2003
USS La Salle (AGF 3)

USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20, right) and USS La Salle (AGF 3, left) moored alongside each other in Gaeta, Italy, following a change of command ship ceremony, 25 February 2005 in which Mount Whitney relieved La Salle as command ship for Commander, Sixth Fleet.

Photo No. Unknown
Source: NavSource. US Navy photo by PH3 Dwayne C. Minor.


USS La Salle (AGF 3) on 25 February 2005