Ingalls shipbuilders are once again seeing the impact of their work following Super Typhoon Sinlaku. With communities across the Pacific devastated by the storm, the U.S. is helping deliver critical support.
One of the first Navy assets on scene was the Ingalls-built USS Portland (LPD 27), pictured above on April 18 operating with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit. The ship and its crew are working to support FEMA and local authorities as they restore essential services and reach isolated populations.
Built in Pascagoula, LPD 27 continues to be supported by Ingalls' Planning Yard Services, demonstrating the critical role our shipbuilders play in missions that protect lives and strengthen our nation.
Why It Matters
From humanitarian assistance to crisis response, the ships Ingalls builds are designed to meet moments like this. Portland’s aviation capabilities, medical facilities and well-deck operations give responders the flexibility to move people, supplies and equipment where it’s needed most—bridging gaps that civil agencies simply cannot fill alone.
That capability is strengthened long after delivery thanks to Planing Yard Services. Behind the scenes, they continue to support LPD 27 and other Navy ships through technical updates, fleet-wide data management and systems integrations work—the kind of sustainment that keeps these complex platforms operating safely and effectively in demanding enivironments.
What’s Happening
Operating in the Pacific, Portland is enabling ship-to-shore movement, supporting helicopter and tiltrotor operations, and serving as a command-and-control hub for coordination with civil authorities. Marines and Sailors aboard the ship are delivering food, water and emergency supplies to communities still cut off by storm damage.
What’s Being Said
Leaders across the joint response have emphasized the importance of amphibious platforms in disaster relief, praising their ability to support mobility, logistics and medical care during high-pressure operations.
For Context
Portland’s keel was laid at Ingalls in 2013, sponsored by Bonnie Amos, wife of former Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James F. Amos. The ship was launched in 2016 and delivered to the Navy the following year. Known for its versatility, Portland famously served as the recovery ship for NASA’s Orion capsule following the Artemis I mission in 2022.
The Ingalls Impact
Every mission like this highlights the purpose behind our work. From the first steel plate to delivery, Ingalls shipbuilders create the capabilities our nation depends on in times of crisis.
USS Portland’s role in this humanitarian mission is a powerful reminder: what we build here protects lives, strengthens communities and supports our nation when it matters most.