USS Carter Hall ( LSD - 50 ) USS " Carter Hall " ( LSD - 50 ) is a " Harpers Ferry " - class dock landing ship of the United States Navy . She was the second Navy ship to be named for Carter Hall , an estate near Winchester , Virginia , built in the 1790s . " Carter Hall " was laid down on 11 November 1991 , by the Avondale Shipyards , New Orleans , La . ; launched on 2 October 1993 ; and commissioned on 30 September 1995 . As of 2008 , " Carter Hall " , is homeported at NAB Little Creek , Virginia , and assigned to Amphibious Squadron Six . Overview . The mission of the Landing Ship Dock ( LSD ) is to transport and launch amphibious craft , vehicles , crews and embarked personnel in an amphibious assault . An LSD can also render limited docking and repair service to small ships and craft , and act as the Primary Control Ship ( PCS ) during amphibious assaults . " Carter Hall " is a Cargo Variant ( CV ) of the " Whidbey Island " - class . A significant difference between the two classes is that " Carter Hall " < nowiki > ' < / nowiki > s well deck has been shortened from 440 feet ( 134 m ) to 180 feet ( 55 m ) . This provides Marines with added vehicle and cargo storage areas . The well deck can hold two Landing Craft Air Cushions ( LCAC ) and a variety of landing craft and tracked amphibious assault vehicle s . " Carter Hall " < nowiki > ' < / nowiki > s two - spot flight deck can land and service any helicopter in the Navy and Marine Corps inventory . Ship ' s Coat of Arms . The colors of the field red , white , and blue , stand for the United States . The saltier recalls the heritage of the South in the history of Carter Hall in Millwood , Virginia . The anchor represents the Navy . The times are in the form of pheons , symbolizing the mission of support to assault operations . The loose rope intertwined with the anchor signifies freedom . The border denotes unity . Dark blue and gold are the colors traditional associated with he Navy ; red for courage , white for integrity . The griffin denotes courage and vigilance . The crown refers to the heritage of Carter Hall , recalling the Great grandfather of its builder , known as " King " Carter . The battle stars of the first " Carter Hall " ( LSD 3 ) are commemorated by the arc of battle stars , five gold for her service in Vietnam . The motto is underscored by the olive branch for peace and the oak for war . Gold is for excellence and red for courage . The arms are emblazoned on a white oval enclosed by a blue collar edge on the outside with a gold rope and bearing the inscription " USS " Carter Hall " " at the top and " LSD - 50 " at the bottom in gold . Deployments . " Carter Hall " and her plankowner crew departed on their first six - month Mediterranean deployment on 29 April 1997 . Her crew completed a UNITAS / WATC Deployment from 24 July 1999 until 15 December 1999 . In 2001 , " Carter Hall " deployed to the Mediterranean from 15 April to 15 October 2001 . Somalia . On 2 June 2007 , the " Carter Hall " engaged pirates after they boarded the Danish ship " Danica White " off the coast of Somalia . She destroyed three small boats being towed behind the captured vessel , but was unable to pursue after the vessel entered Somalian waters . 2010 Haiti earthquake . On 13 January 2010 , the " Carter Hall " was ordered to assist the humanitarian efforts following the 2010 Haiti earthquake . Hurricane Sandy . On 31 October 2012 , the " Carter Hall " was sent towards the Hurricane Sandy impact area in case the USN was needed to support the disaster relief efforts .