USS Ponce LPD-15 Patch - Amphibious Transport Dock - US Navy Embroidered Patch

The USS Ponce (LPD-15) was an Austin-class amphibious transport dock that served in the United States Navy from 1971 to 2017. Here are some key points about this vessel:

Service History

• Commissioned: July 10, 1971
• Decommissioned: October 14, 2017
• Named after: Ponce, Puerto Rico

Notable Service

The USS Ponce had a long and varied career spanning over four decades:

• Participated in numerous deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Middle East
• Supported various humanitarian missions and military operations
• Transported Marines and equipment as part of amphibious ready groups

Later Career Innovation

In 2012, the USS Ponce gained significant attention when it was converted into an Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB-1) - essentially a sea-based staging platform. During this phase:

• It served as a testing platform for the Navy's Laser Weapon System (LaWS) - one of the first operational directed-energy weapons tested at sea
• Deployed to the Persian Gulf to provide support for mine countermeasures and special operations
• Served as a mother ship for smaller craft and helicopters

Legacy

The USS Ponce was notable for being one of the last Austin-class amphibious ships in service and for its pioneering role in testing futuristic weapons systems before its retirement in 2017.