page_title: Newport-class tank landing ship
section_title: Mexico
hierarchical_section_title: Newport-class tank landing ship / Export service / Mexico
caption_attribution_description: English: Gulf of Mexico (Sept. 9, 2005) – The Mexican Navy amphibious ship Papaloapan (P-411) (formerly USS Newport LST-1179) sits off the coast of Mississippi preparing to assist with Hurricane Katrina relief efforts along the Gulf Coast. The Mexican and Dutch Navy, have sent ships to augment joint U.S. military forces in the area. The Navy's involvement in the humanitarian assistance operation is being lead by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in conjunction with the Department of Defense. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Jeremy L. Grisham (RELEASED)
context_page_description: Newport-class tank landing ships were an improved class of tank landing ship designed for and employed by the United States Navy from 1969 to 2002. The ships were intended to provide substantial advantages over their World War II-era predecessors. Larger and faster than any previous LST design, they carried a ramp over the bow that allowed them to surpass 20 knots, a goal of the United States amphibious forces. 27 were planned of which twenty were completed, the high number due to the demands of US force projection estimates. However, the arrival of the air-cushioned landing craft which allowed for over-the-horizon attacks made the class obsolete in the eyes of the United States Navy. Placed in reserve, twelve were eventually sold to foreign navies, while the remaining eight have since been decommissioned.
context_section_description: Mexico acquired two ships from the United States. Newport was purchased on 18 January 2001 and renamed Sonora by the Mexican Navy, before becoming Rio Papaloapan. Frederick was purchased on 9 December 2002 and renamed Usumacinta. Rio Papaloapan is based at Tampico and Usumacinta at Manzanillo.
caption: Papaloapan off the coast of Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina.
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