USS Makin Island ( LHD - 8 ) USS " Makin Island " ( LHD - 8 ) , a , is the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Makin Island , target of the Marine Raiders ' Makin Island raid early on in the United States ' involvement in World War II . Construction . " Makin Island " s task is to embark , deploy , and land elements of a Marine landing force in an Amphibious Assault by helicopters , landing craft , and amphibious vehicles . The secondary or convertible mission for " Makin Island " is that of sea control and power projection . " Makin Island " is the eighth ship of the " Wasp " class but she features noteworthy technological advances . Changes from the previous LHD design include : gas turbine main propulsion engines , all - electric auxiliaries , an advanced machinery control system , water mist fire protection systems , and the Navy ’ s most advanced command and control and combat systems equipment . The gas turbine propulsion plant , with all electric auxiliaries , is a program first for large deck amphibious assault ships and provides significant savings in manpower and maintenance costs associated with traditional steam - powered amphibious ships . The ship carries four reverse - osmosis water - purification systems , each capable of processing 50 , 000 gallons of fresh water per day . The same propulsion systems tried on the " Makin Island " will also be used on the America - class amphibious assault ship s . History . " Makin Island " was laid down on 14 February 2004 by the Ingalls Shipbuilding , Pascagoula , Mississippi . She was christened on 19 August 2006 , sponsored by Mrs . Silke Hagee , wife of General Michael Hagee , Commandant of the Marine Corps , and launched on 15 September 2006 . In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina , U . S . Navy officials announced that several ships under construction at Ingalls Shipbuilding had been damaged by the storm , including " Makin Island " and two s . The ship ' s completion was delayed due to rewiring during 2008 to repair incorrect wiring installation . " Makin Island " was delivered to the U . S . Navy on 16 April 2009 and was commissioned at Pascagoula , Mississippi without ceremony on 26 June 2009 with Captain Bob Kopas in command . " Makin Island " departed 10 July 2009 on a transit around South America , in which the crew continued to train , obtaining underway certifications in preparation for her arrival in San Diego . During the transit , " Makin Island " conducted theater security cooperation ( TSC ) activities with Brazil , Chile and Peru , focusing on working closely with partner nation civil and maritime forces to share methods and training . She arrived in her home port of San Diego on 14 September 2009 . Captain Kopas stated in an interview on local radio that the " Makin Island " had saved about $ 2 million in fuel , compared with a conventional propulsion system , on her voyage from Mississippi around South America to San Diego . Her official commissioning ceremony took place on 24 October 2009 at Naval Air Station North Island , Coronado near San Diego . Six USMC veterans of the Makin Island raid attended the ceremony . Damage to a turning gear delayed the ship ' s final check - out trials from August to September 2010 . " Makin Island " visited San Francisco in October 2010 as part of the city ' s 2010 Fleet Week festivities . She returned in 2012 . New propulsion . " Makin Island " departed on her maiden deployment , as the US Navy ’ s first hybrid - drive warship : part gas - turbine - electric and part diesel - electric . About 70 percent of the time " Makin Island " can use diesel - electric propulsion , saving on fuel , as diesel engines are optimized for cruising and consume much less fuel than gas turbines . When she needs to travel quickly , at 12 knots or more , she uses her gas turbines . Once on station , the ship ’ s mission changes . Her job then is to launch Marines ashore in small boats and aircraft . While the Marines are ashore the ship maneuvers in a small area at slow speed , " the perfect scenario " for diesel - electric propulsion . Fuel savings were said to be “ impressive ” . On an average day , the " Makin Island " uses 15 , 000 gallons of fuel , versus 35 , 000 to 40 , 000 gallons on an older steam ship of its type , said Capt . James Landers , commanding officer . The downside is the logistical “ tail , ” which means it takes awhile to get parts . Further , the ship is software dependent , which is an independent source of failure . Internal heating is provided by electrical rather than steam heaters , so at temperatures above 20F , this energy is surplus and so is used for propulsion rather than heating , with the gas turbines available for high speed or low temperature propulsion .