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NavSource Online: Amphibious Photo Archive

Patch at left contributed by Walter Michielutti LCU-1481

Landing Craft Utility
LCU-1631

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Quebec - Kilo - Foxtrot
NQKF

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Navy Battle Efficiency Ribbon - National Defense Service Medal

LCU-1610 Landing Craft Utility:

Built in 1968 at General Ship, East Boston, MA.

Delivered in 1968

Assigned to Assault Craft Unit One (ACU-1), NAB Coronado, CA.

Current Disposition, active in service

Specifications:
Displacement 200 t.(lt) 375 t.(fl)
Length 134' 9"
Beam 29'
Draft 6' 1"
Speed 11 kts.
Complement 12 to 14 Enlisted
Armament two .50 cal machine guns
Propulsion four Detroit Diesel engines 1,000 bhp, (250 bhp each engine), two shafts (Kort nozzles)
Fuel Capacity 3220 gals.
Range 1,200nm at eight knots

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Source
	268k	*LCU-1631* crew members prepare to receive steadying lines from Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship *USS Essex* (LHD-2) as the craft enters the ship’s flooded well deck, 5 September 2002. LCU-1631 transported more than 900 stranded service members, part of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, from Pohang, Republic of Korea to the Essex. With the Marines’ transportation affected by Typhoon ‘Rusa’ and running low on supplies, Essex was dispatched from its forward-deployed port of Sasebo, Japan, to Pohang to provide assistance and transportation to Okinawa, Japan. The Marines had just finished participating in the combined exercise Ulchi Focus Lens 2002 with the Republic of Korea and United States Combined Forces Command. Essex** is forward-deployed to Sasebo and LCU 1631 is attached to Assault Craft Unit One Western Pacific US Navy photo # 020905-N-8590G-007 Pohang, ROK Sept. 5, 2002 by PH3 Gary B. Granger.	Robert M. Cieri
1018163107	181k	*LCU-1631* carries U.S. Marines to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship *USS Essex* (LHD-2) for transportation to Okinawa, Japan. LCU 1631 transported more than 900 stranded servicemembers, part of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, from Pohang, Republic of Korea, to Essex, 5 September 2002. With the Marines’ transportation affected by Typhoon ‘Rusa’ and running low on supplies, Essex was dispatched from her forward-deployed port of Sasebo, Japan, to Pohang to assist the Marines, just finished participating in the joint-combined exercise "Ulchi Focus Lens 2002" with the Republic of Korea and United States Combined Forces Command. Essex is forward-deployed to Sasebo and LCU-1631 is attached to Assault Craft Unit On**e Western Pacific. U.S. Navy photo ID 020905-N-8590G-003 by PH# Gary B. Granger	Robert Hurst
100802106	146k	*LCU 1631, assigned to Assault Craft Unit One* (ACU)1, prepares to entire the well deck *USS Essex* (LHD-2), at Sasebo Harbor, Japan, 6 July 2005. Essex** is currently participating in Amphibious Specialty Training, which certifies the well deck for operations. U.S. Navy photo # 050706-N-4772B-009 by JO2 Brian P. Biller.	Robert Hurst
1018163108	93k	Seaman Jeremiah Skriba guides *LCU 1631, assigned to Assault Craft Unit One* (ACU)1, into the well deck aboard the amphibious assault ship *USS Essex* (LHD-2)*, at Sasebo Harbor, Japan, 6 July 2005. Essex* is currently participating in Amphibious Specialty Training, which certifies the well deck for operations. U.S Navy photo # 050706-N-5067K-037PH1 Class Michael D. Kennedy.	Robert Hurst
1018163109	115k	*LCU-1631* approaches the shore to deliver five of 14 ambulances donated to the Philippines by the 3P Foundation, Republic of the Philippines, 25 October 2006. These five ambulances are destined for locations in the southern Philippines to include Zamboanga, Jolo and Tawi Tawi. The ambulances were transported from Subic Bay Freeport by *USS Harpers Ferry* (LSD-49)** under the U.S. Navy’s Project Handclasp. U.S. US Air Force photo # 061025-A-3465M-003 by Sgt. Tim Meyer.	Robert Hurst
	99k	*LCU-1631* entering the well deck of a large amphibious ship (LSD, LPD, LHA, LHD), location and date unknown. US Navy photo from the Global Security web site.
	63k	*LCU-1631* retracting from the beach, date and location unknown. US Navy photo from the Global Security web site.
	1090k	*LCU-1631* transports Sailors & Marines toward the amphibious assault ship *USS Essex* (LHD-2) during a non-combatant evacuation operation drill. Essex** is currently conducting operations during her scheduled deployment. US Navy photo # 101001-N-SO729-053 East China Sea (October 1, 2010) by MCSN Adam M. Bennett.	Robert M. Cieri
1018163105	139k	*LCU-1631* entering the well deck of *USS Germantown* (LSD-42)** at Sasebo, Japan, date unknown.	Robert Hurst
1018163110	189k	*LCU-1627* and *LCU-1631* prepare to enter the well deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship *USS Essex* (LHD-2) in the Philippine Sea, 28 September 2011. Essex** is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is conducting operations in the western Pacific. U.S. Navy photo #'s 110928-N-ER662-210(1) 110928-N-ER662-266(2) and 110928-N-ER662-266(3) by MC3 Matthew R. Cole.	Robert Hurst
1018163111	208k
1018163112	235k
1018163106	210k	*LCU-1631* and *LCU-1627, assigned to Beachmaster Unit* (BMU) 1, prepare to enter the well deck of the forward depolyed Amphibious Assault Ship *USS Essex* (LHD-2), in the Philippine Sea, 1 October 2011. Essex** is part of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is on patrol in the western Pacific region. U.S. Navy photo ID 111001-N-KM175-002 by MC1 Terry Matlock	Robert Hurst