USS Saipan ( LHA - 2 ) USS " Saipan " ( LHA - 2 ) was a , the second United States Navy ship named in honor of the World War II Battle of Saipan . History . " Saipan " was laid down on 21 July 1972 by the Ingalls Shipbuilding Division , Litton Industries , Pascagoula , Mississippi ; launched on 20 July 1974 ; sponsored by wife of Secretary of the Navy J . William Middendorf . " Saipan " ’ s operational career began in July 1979 when she was diverted from Fleet Refresher Training to " Special Contingency Operations " for possible non - combatant evacuation of American personnel from Nicaragua during that country ’ s civil war . From February to April 1980 the " Saipan " was involved in ' Anorak Express 80 ' . The Navy crew of around 800 and an entire Marine battalion of over 2000 sailed from Norfolk to Norway . In May 1980 , " Saipan " was underway to augment U . S . Coast Guard efforts to assist Cuban refugees crossing the Straits of Florida to the United States during the Mariel boatlift . On 25 August 1980 , " Saipan " departed Norfolk for the first Mediterranean deployment by an LHA . On 3 September 1981 , " Saipan " deployed for her second tour in the Mediterranean Sea . During that deployment , " Saipan " visited or operated in seven different countries on three continents . From August 1982 through July 1983 , " Saipan " was in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard for her first scheduled complex overhaul . In September 1983 , while undergoing Refresher Training at Guantanamo Bay , Cuba , " Saipan " was diverted to participate in Operation Urgent Fury off Grenada . In January 1985 , " Saipan " departed for her third Mediterranean deployment . She steamed more than 32 , 000 miles ( 60 , 000 km ) , logged over 6 , 700 safe aircraft landings and visited ports in three countries . Following a four - month restricted availability in Norfolk Naval Shipyard , " Saipan " sailed to Guantanamo Bay to complete various training evolutions . On 17 August 1986 , " Saipan " departed on its fourth Mediterranean deployment . Extended briefly in the Eastern Mediterranean for contingency operations , " Saipan " returned to Norfolk on 24 February 1987 . Starting at the end of October 1987 , " Saipan " was in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for major refitting . In January 1989 , Saipan returned to Norfolk , Virginia . From March 1990 through September 1990 , was deployed for the fifth time to the Mediterranean . However , in late May 1990 it was diverted into the Eastern Atlantic , to what would become known as Mamba Station . While there , " Saipan " conducted a non - combatant evacuation operation ( NEO ) , evacuating 1 , 600 civilians from war - torn Liberia in support of Operation Sharp Edge . From September 1991 to March 1992 , " Saipan " deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Desert Storm . " Saipan " again deployed to the Mediterranean in March 1993 in support of Operation Deny Flight and Operation Provide Promise . The ship returned in September 1993 and began her third scheduled complex overhaul in April 1994 . In June 1996 , " Saipan " deployed to the Mediterranean and participated in Operation Decisive Endeavor and various multi - national training exercises . She returned to Norfolk in December 1996 . " Saipan " departed on her seventh deployment to the Mediterranean in July 1998 . The ship spent substantial operating time in the Adriatic Sea due to turmoil in Albania . In 1999 , " Saipan " became the developmental and operational test platform for the V - 22 Osprey aircraft . In July 2000 , " Saipan " began her eighth Mediterranean deployment . The ship commenced Adriatic presence operations during the Fall of 2000 federal elections in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia . On 12 February 2001 " Saipan " entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for its fourth scheduled complex overhaul . On 10 January 2003 " Saipan " was deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the War on Terrorism . From late January 2005 until early March 2005 " Saipan " was on a scheduled deployment to the U . S . Southern Command ( NAVSO ) area of responsibility in support of New Horizons , the humanitarian civic assistance efforts in Haiti . In early June 2005 , she made an official visit to Oslo on the occasion of Norway ' s independence centennial . During the week of 26 June 2005 " Saipan " was one of two American military vessels ( the other being the ) to participate in the Royal Navy International Fleet Review in the waters off Portsmouth , England . This review , conducted by Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the Royal Family , consisted of a parade of more than 166 ships from around the world . This event also coincided with the 2005 International Festival of the Sea and Trafalgar 200 celebration . On May 2006 , " Saipan " sailed for the Mediterranean to take part in multi - national training exercises ( Operation Phoenix Express ) involving the countries of Spain , Morocco , and Algeria . She returned to Norfolk in July 2006 . From 16 August 2006 , " Saipan " deployed to the Persian Gulf region in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom for her final operational deployment . She returned to Norfolk on 22 December 2006 . " Saipan " was decommissioned on 20 April 2007 at its home port in Naval Station Norfolk with Captain Richard Fitzpatrick in command . She was used for weapons effect testing , providing vital information on structural integrity and survivability which will assist in the designing and planning of future ships . She was transferred to the inactive fleet , and was tied up at Pier 4 of the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Philadelphia , where she was joined by " Ex - " on 22 March 2008 . On 30 September 2009 , a contract to dismantle Saipan was issued to International Shipbreaking Ltd , Brownsville , Texas and on 28 October 2009 the ship departed Philadelphia under tow . International Shipbreaking completed scrapping " Saipan " on 23 February 2011 . USS " Saipan " awards . Saipan ’ s awards include the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal , Navy Expeditionary Medal ( two awards ) , Humanitarian Service Medal , Battle Efficiency " E " ( four awards ) , the Admiral Flatley Safety Award ( two awards ) , the Sledge Award , the Atlantic Fleet Surface Force " Admiral ’ s Cup " in 1985 , COMPHIBRON Twelve ’ s " Bronze Anchor " for retention excellence , and the 1993 COMNAVSURFLANT Command Excellence Award for Command and Control , Maritime Warfare and Logistics Management .