The Somerset (LPD 25) is the ninth San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock and the fifth ship of the U.S. Navy to carry the name Somerset. She is named in honor of the courageous passengers and crew of United Airlines Flight 93. Their actions prevented terrorist hijackers from reaching their destination only to have the airplane crash near Shanksville in Somerset County, Pa., Sept. 11, 2001.

The contract to build her was awarded on December 21, 2007, to Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Avondale Division of New Orleans, Louisiana. Somerset's keel was laid down on December 11, 2009, and was launched on April 14, 2012.

July 28, 2012 The Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Somerset was christened during a 10 a.m. CST ceremony at the Huntington Ingalls Industries shipyard in Avondale, Louisiana. Mrs. Mary Jo Myers, the wife of Gen. Richard Myers, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, served as sponsor of the ship. Cmdr. Stephen C. Hayes is the prospective commanding officer.

August 16, 2013 PCU Somerset moored at Avondale shipyard after a three-day underway for Builder's (Alpha) trials, in the Gulf of Mexico; Underway for acceptance trials with the INSURV from Sept. 18-20.

October 18, The U.S. Navy took delivery of PCU Somerset during a ceremony at HII Avondale Shipyard in Avondale, La.

February 7, 2014 The amphibious transport dock ship arrived in Naval Station Mayport, Fla., for some exterior work.

February 21, The Somerset moored at Penn's Landing Pier in Philadelphia, Pa., after an 18-day transit from Avondale, Louisiana.

March 1, USS Somerset was commissioned during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

March 4, The Somerset departed Philadelphia, Pa., en route to San Diego, California; Inport Mayport again from March ?- April ?.

April 21, USS Somerset arrived in its homeport of Naval Base San Diego for the first time.

From September 20-21, the Somerset held an "Open House" at Naval Base San Diego in conjunction with the 17th annual Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival.

October 7, Capt. Leonard E. Reed relieved Cmdr. Stephen C. Hayes as CO of the USS Somerset during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship, while underway off the coast of San Diego.

November 17, LPD 25 commenced a five-month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA) while moored at Pier 6, Naval Base San Diego.

June 16, 2015 USS Somerset departed Berth 5, Pier 4 for a six-day underway to conduct sea trials after an extended seven-month availability.

July 6, The Somerset moored at Deperming Pier on Naval Base Point Loma for magnetic treatment (DEPERM); Moved "dead-stick" to Berth 5, Pier 4 on July 15; Underway for well deck certification and deck landing qualifications on Aug. 10.

August 13, USS Somerset conducted its first ever underway replenishment (UNREP), with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO 187), off the coast of southern California; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 10 on Aug. 21.

August 31, The Somerset departed San Diego for a six-day underway to participate in a multinational amphibious landing exercise Dawn Blitz 2015, off the coast of Camp Pendleton, with the USS Boxer (LHD 4), USS New Orleans (LPD 18) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49).

September 17, USS Somerset moored at Berth L, Carrier Wharf on Naval Air Station North Island to participate in San Diego Fleet Week; Held an "Open House" from Sept. 19-20; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 8 on Sept. 21; Underway again on Oct. 2; Anchored in San Francisco Bay for Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) exercise on Oct. 4.

October 5, USS Somerset moored at Pier 30/32 in San Francisco, Calif., for an eight-day port visit to participate in annual Fleet Week celebration.

October 16, LPD 25 moored at Berth 2, Pier 10 on Naval Base San Diego after a two-week underway period; Underway for routine training and ammo onload at the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif., from Oct. 26- Nov. 6; Underway again from Nov. 16-2?.

December 2, USS Somerset departed homeport to participate in amphibious exercise Steel Knight 2016, with the elements of 1st Marine Division, off the coast of Camp Pendleton; Moored at Berth 6, Pier 4 on Dec. 9.

February 10, 2016 The amphibious transport dock ship departed homeport for a routine training in the SOCAL Op. Area; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 6 on Feb. 12.

February 19, The Somerset departed Naval Base San Diego for a 10-day underway to participate in annual exercise Iron Fist, with the elements from 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), off the coast of Camp Pendleton and San Clemente Island; Underway for local operations from March 22-2?.

April 1, USS Somerset departed Naval Base San Diego for air and surface warfare certifications off the coast of southern California; Moored at Berth L, NAS North Island in support of the Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer (EPLO) National Conference on April 4; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 6 on April 7; Underway in support of "Leaders to Sea" program from April 20-22; Underway again on April 28; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 6 on April 29.

June 1, USS Somerset moored at Berth 5, Pier 4 on Naval Base San Diego after a 16-day underway for Career Orientation Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID) summer cruise off the coast of southern California; Underway again from June 7-8.

June 9, Capt. Michael A. Crary relieved Capt. Stephen D. McKone as Commander, Amphibious Squadron (COMPHIBRON) 5 during a change-of-command ceremony on board the Somerset at Pier 4.

June 16, USS Somerset moored at Berth 2, Pier 10 after a two-day underway for Group Sail, as part of the USS Makin Island (LHD 8) ARG, off the coast of southern California.

June 30, Capt. Darren W. Glaser relieved Capt. Leonard E. Reed as the 3rd CO of Somerset during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship at Pier 10.

July 22, USS Somerset moored at Berth 2, Pier 8 on Naval Base San Diego after an 11-day underway for Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT), with the 11th MEU; Underway again from July 26-2? and July 29; Brief stop at Alpha Pier on Naval Station Everett, Wash., to embark guests on Aug. 2.

August 2, The Somerset moored at Pier 90 in Port of Seattle, Wash., for a six-day visit to participate in annual Seafair Fleet Week celebration; Returned home on Aug. 11.

August 12, LPD 25 departed Pier 8, Naval Base San Diego to participate in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX); Moored at Berth 1, Pier 12 after conducted degaussing runs off Naval Base Point Loma on Aug. 25; Underway for a Certification Exercise (CERTEX) on Sept. 7.

September 22, The Somerset moored at Bravo Pier, NAS North Island for a brief stop to onload ammo; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 12 on Sept. 23.

October 14, USS Somerset departed San Diego for its maiden deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

November 13, The Somerset moored at Berth 3, Changi Naval Base in Singapore for a five-day liberty port visit.

November 22, USS Somerset anchored in Port of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, for a four-day visit to conduct theater security cooperation (TSC) activities.

From December 6-21, the amphibious transport dock ship participated in a sustainment training exercise Alligator Dagger, off the coast of Djibouti.

February 2, 2017 USS Somerset moored at General Cargo Terminal in Port of Duqm, Oman, for an eight-day upkeep after a consecutive 68 days at sea.

February 15, The Somerset disembarked more than 250 Marines, assigned to BLT 1st Bn., 4th Marines and Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 11, at Senoor Beach, Oman, for a two-week annual joint exercise Sea Soldier.

April 20, LPD 25 moored at Berth 5, Victor Wharf in Apra Harbor, Guam, for a four-day liberty port call; Moored at Pier H2 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from May 2-5; Anchored off Camp Pendleton for offload from May 12-13.

May 15, USS Somerset moored at Berth 1, Pier 6 on Naval Base San Diego after a seven-month deployment.

June 15, The Somerset moored at Bravo Pier, NAS North Island for a brief stop before underway in the SOCAL Op. Area; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 6 on June 20; Underway again on July 5.

July 15, USS Somerset recently anchored off the coast of Callao, Peru, for the in-port phase of an annual multinational exercise UNITAS 58-17; Participated in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX) on July 20; Anchored off Salinas, Peru, for a joint amphibious landing demonstration from July 21-23; Anchored off Callao again from July 25-27.

August 7, The Somerset moored at Wharf 311 on Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif., for a four-day ammo offload; Returned home on Aug. 11; Underway again on Aug. 2?; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 12 on Aug. 28; Moved "dead-stick" to Berth 2 at NASSCO shipyard on Oct. 6.

November 2, Capt. William R. Sherrod relieved Capt. Darren W. Glaser as CO of the Somerset during a change-of-command ceremony on board the USS Midway Museum.

April 12, 2018 Rear Adm. Cedric E. Pringle, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 3 relieved of duty Capt. William Sherrod due to a "loss of confidence in his ability to effectively lead and carry out assigned duties." Capt. Brian J. Quin, the ESG-3's chief of staff, assumed temporary command of LPD 25.

May 3, USS Somerset moved "dead-stick" from NASSCO shipyard to Berth 6, Pier 10 on Naval Base San Diego; Underway for sea trials from May 31- June 1; Underway for flight deck certification on July ?.

July 12, The Somerset made a brief stop in North San Diego Bay, in the vicinity of Red Buoy #22; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 6 on July 14; Underway again on July 24; Moored at Berth 6, Alpha Pier on Naval Station Everett, Wash., from July 30-31.

July 31, USS Somerset moored at Pier 90W in Port of Seattle, Wash., for a six-day visit to participate in annual Seafair Fleet Week festivities.

August 9, LPD 25 conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200), while underway approximately 20 n.m. southwest of San Clemente Island; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 12 on Aug. 10.

September 7, Capt. Stewart L. Bateshansky relieved Capt. Brian J. Quin as CO of the Somerset during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

October 4, The Somerset departed Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach after ammo onload; Returned home on Oct. 5.

October 12, USS Somerset moored at Berth 6, Pier 5 on Naval Base San Diego after a two-day underway for routine training.

October 26, The Somerset moored at Berth 2, Pier 10 on Naval Base San Diego after a three-day underway in the SOCAL Op. Area; Underway again from Oct. 30- Nov. 2 and Nov. 6-7.

November 12, USS Somerset, with embarked Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force-Peru, departed San Diego in support of the Enduring Promising Initiative; Arrived off the coast of Lima, Peru, on Nov. 22.

November 24, The Somerset participated in a humanitarian assistance and disaster-response training exercise, with the B.A.P. Pisco (AMP 156), at the Agua Dulce beach in Chorrillos; Participated in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX) with the USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108), HMS Montrose (F236), CNS Almirante Lynch (FF 07) and CNS Almirante Condell (FF 06), while underway off the coast of Valparaiso, Chile, on Nov. 28.

November 29, USS Somerset moored at Abrigo Pier in Port of Valparaiso, Chile, for an eight-day visit to participate in the 11th International Maritime and Naval Exhibition and Conference for Latin America (EXPONAVAL) and the bicentennial of the Chilean Navy celebration; Day-long underway for Parade of Ships on Dec. 2; Conducted backload off the coast of Lima, Peru, from Dec. 10-11.

December 21, LPD 25 made a brief stop at Bravo Pier, NAS North Island before moored at Berth 2, Pier 10 on Naval Base San Diego; Underway in the SOCAL Op. Area from Jan. 18-25.

February 6, 2019 The Somerset moored at Berth 2, Pier 8 on Naval Base San Diego after a week-long underway in support of the annual exercise Iron Fist, with the 1st Marine Regiment and Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).

March 11, USS Somerset departed homeport in support of exercise Pacific Blitz 2019; Moored at Wharf 4 in Port Hueneme, Calif., from March 12-13; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 6 on March 26; Underway again on April 1; Moored at Wharf 4 in Port Hueneme from April 4-11; Returned home on April 12.

June 7, The Somerset moored at Juliet Pier on Naval Air Station North Island; Moved to Berth 1, Pier 6 on June 21; Underway again from July 10-12.

August 16, USS Somerset moored at Berth 1, Pier 12 on Naval Base San Diego after a four-day underway in the SOCAL Op. Area; Underway in support of the Arctic Expeditionary Capabilities Exercise (AECE) 2019 on Sept. 5.

September 14, USS Somerset pulled into Dutch Harbor, Unalaska Island, Alaska, for a one-day port visit; Brief stop off Adak Island, just before midnight, on Sept. 16.

From September 17-22, the Somerset conducted operations approximately 10 n.m. northeast of Adak, Aleutians West Census Area; Inport Dutch Harbor again from Sept. 25-29.

October 6, USS Somerset moored at Pier 30/32 in San Francisco, Calif., for a nine-day port visit to participate in the 39th annual Fleet Week celebration; Brief underway for Parade of Ships on Oct. 11.

October 18, The Somerset made a brief stop at Navy Fuel Farm (NFF), Naval Base Point Loma to refuel before moored at Berth 1, Pier 6 on Naval Base San Diego; Brief underway for a Friends and Family Day Cruise on Oct. 29.

November 22, Capt. J. W. David Kurtz relieved Capt. Stewart L. Bateshansky as the 7th CO of Somerset during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

December 12, USS Somerset moored at Berth 5, Pier 4 on Naval Base San Diego after a nine-day underway in support of amphibious exercise Steel Knight 2020, with the elements of 1st Marine Division, off the coast of Camp Pendleton; Underway again from Jan. 21-23.

January 31, 2020 The Somerset moored at Berth 5, Pier 7 on Naval Base San Diego after a four-day underway for vehicle's developmental testing; Moored at Bravo Pier for a brief stop to onload ammo on Feb. 3; Day-long underway for readiness assessment on Feb. 4; Underway again from Feb. 10-14; Brief underway off the coast of San Diego on March 24.

March 30, The Somerset departed homeport for a Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise, as part of the USS Makin Island (LHD 8) ARG; Anchored approximately 6 n.m. south of Coronado from April 18-19 and April 25-26.

April 27, USS Somerset rendezvous with the USS Kidd (DDG 100), approximately 150 n.m. southeast of Guadalupe, to provide medical assistance, following the outbreak of the coronavirus aboard the guided-missile destroyer; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 12 in Naval Base San Diego on April 30.

June 25, The Somerset moored at Berth 2, Pier 12 on Naval Base San Diego after a one-day underway off the coast of southern California; Underway again on July 12; Moored at Wharf 311 on Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach for ammo onload from July 13-16; Returned home on July 17; Underway for Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 3/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT), with the 15th MEU, on July 27.

July 30, An amphibious assault vehicle (AAV) sank off the northwest coast of San Clemente Island, just before 6 p.m. local time, while returning to USS Somerset. Eight Marines, assigned to the Bravo Company, BLT 1/4, were rescued but Lance Cpl. Guillermo S. Perez was pronounced dead before being transported to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla; Pfc. Bryan J. Baltierra, Pfc. Evan A. Bath, Pfc. Jack Ryan Ostrovsky, Lance Cpl. Chase D. Sweetwood, Lance Cpl. Marco A. Barranco, Cpl. Cesar A. Villanueva, Cpl. Wesley A. Rodd and U.S. Navy Hospitalman Christopher Gnem are pronounced dead on Aug. 2.

August 7, USS Somerset moored at Navy Fuel Farm (NFF) on Naval Base Point Loma for a brief stop to refuel; Returned home on Aug. 10.

October 5, USS Somerset departed San Diego for a scheduled Middle East deployment.

November 12, The Somerset recently departed SOCAL Op. Area after participated in a combined ARG/MEU Exercise (MEUEX) and Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX); Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Guadalupe (T-AO 200), while underway in the Hawaiian Op. Area, on Nov. 20.

December 5, LPD 25 transited the San Bernardino Strait southbound; Transited the Verde Island Passage westbound on Dec. 6; Participated in a PHOTOEX with the RSS Endurance (LST 207), as part of CARAT Singapore, on Dec. 11; Transited the Strait of Singapore on Dec. 12; Transited the Malacca Strait northbound from Dec. 12-13; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) on Dec. 15.

December 21, USS Somerset arrived off the coast of Mogadishu, Somalia, in support of Operation Octave Quartz, to relocate the U.S. DOD forces to other East Africa operating locations; Transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound on Feb. 5.

February 9, 2021 USS Somerset moored at Berth 7, Deep Water Jetty, Mina Salman Port in Manama, Bahrain, for an eight-day upkeep; Transited the Strait of Hormuz southbound on Feb. 23; Transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait northbound, escorted by USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), on Feb. 27.

March 12, Continental Maritime of San Diego LLC was awarded a $32,5 million contract for the USS Somerset's Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). Work is expected to be completed by June 2022.

March 14, The Somerset participated in a pasing exercise (PASSEX) with the ENS Sharm El Sheikh (F 901), while underway in the northern Red Sea; Transited the Bab el-Mandeb Strait southbound, escorted by USS Mahan (DDG 72), on March 19; Moored at Navy Terminal in Port of Duqm, Oman, from March 2?-29.

From April 5-7, the Somerset participated in exercise La Perouse 2021, along with the FS Tonnerre (L9014), FS Surcouf (F711), JS Akebono (DD 108), HMAS Anzac (FFH 150), INS Satpura (F48), INS Kiltan (P30) and HMAS Sirius (O 266), while underway in the Bay of Bengal; Transited the Malacca Strait southbound from April 8-9; Transited the Strait of Singapore eastbound on April 9; Transited the Surigao Strait northbound, just before midnight, on April 12.

April 17, USS Somerset moored at Berth 4/5, Victor Wharf in Apra Harbor, Guam, for a four-day port call; Arrived off the coast of Cold Bay, Alaska, in support of biennial exercise Northern Edge, on May 3; Arrived off the coast of Camp Pendleton for offload on May 20.

May 23, USS Somerset moored at Berth 1, Pier 12 on Naval Base San Diego following a seven-and-a-half month deployment.

July 6, The Somerset departed homeport for routine operations off the coast of southern California; Moored at Wharf 311, NWS Seal Beach for ammo offload from July 8-11; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 10 on July 12; Underway again from July 13-14; Moved to Continental Maritime of San Diego (CMSD) shipyard on July 26.

September 24, Capt. Christopher A. Brown relieved Capt. J. W. David Kurtz as CO of the Somerset during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

June 13, 2022 USS Somerset moved "dead-stick" from CMSD shipyard to Berth 5, Pier 4 on Naval Base San Diego; Underway for sea trials, following a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA), from Sept. 21-26; Underway again on Oct. 12; Anchored at A-172 for a brief stop on Oct. 14; Returned home on Oct. 21; Underway again on Nov. 28.

November 29, The Somerset anchored at Coronado's Anchorage 173 for a brief stop; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 12 on Dec. 2; Underway again on Dec. 5; Anchored at A-173 for a brief stop on Dec. 8; Returned home on Dec. 15.

January 20, 2023 USS Somerset departed homeport for routine training in the SOCAL Op. Area; Moored at Wharf 311, NWS Seal Beach for ammo onload from Jan. 23-25; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 12 on Jan. 26; Underway again from Jan. 30- Feb. 5 and Feb. 15-16.

April 4, The Somerset moored at Bravo Pier on NAS North Island for a brief stop to onload ammo before underway in the SOCAL Op. Area; Brief stop at Navy Fuel Farm (NFF) to refuel before moored at Berth 5, Pier 4 on April 5; Underway again on April 26; Anchored at A-170 for an overnight stop, after suffered an engineering casualty, on April 27; Returned home on April 28.

May 13, USS Somerset departed San Diego, on Saturday evening, en route to Japan; Moored at Pier H3 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to refuel from May 20-21; Moored at Berth 12 on Fleet Activities Yokosuka from June 1-5; Moored at Berth 7 from June 20-21.

July 6, The Somerset made a brief stop at Bravo Pier before moored at Berth 6, Pier 5 on Naval Base San Diego; Underway again on Oct. 5; Moored at Wharf 311, NWS Seal Beach for ammo onload from Oct. 10-14; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 8 on Oct. 16; Underway for Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise, as part of the USS Boxer (LHD 4) ARG, on Oct. 27; Anchored at A-170 for a brief stop before returned home on Oct. 31; Underway again on Nov. 1.

November 14, LPD 25 moored at NFF on Naval Base Point Loma for a brief stop to refuel before underway for Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT), with the 15th MEU; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 8 on Nov. 21; Underway for ARG/MEUEX from Dec. 6-21; Underway for Certification Exercise (CERTEX) on Jan. 3.

January 16, 2024 USS Somerset made a brief stop at NFF to refuel before moored at Berth 2, Per 8 on Naval Base San Diego.

January 24, USS Somerset departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment; Moored at Bravo Pier for a brief stop to onload ammo on Jan. 24 and 25th.

February 13, The Somerset moored at Berth 4, Victor Wharf in Apra Harbor, Guam, for a brief stop to refuel; Transited the Basilan Strait westbound on Feb. 18.

February 23, USS Somerset anchored off the coast of Sattahip, Thailand, for a brief stop to conduct offload in preparation for exercise Cobra Gold 24; Moored at Berth 4 in Chuk Samet Port from Feb. 23-27; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7) on Feb. 28; Anchored off Sattahip for a brief stop to conduct onload on March 5; Moored at Berth 4, Chuk Samet Port again from March 6-9.

March 12, The Somerset moored at Berth 3, RSS Singapura for a one-day port call to refuel; Transited the Malacca Strait northbound from March 13-14.

March 18, USS Somerset moored at Ore Berth-2, Outer Harbour in Port of Visakhapatnam, India, for the in-port phase of amphibious exercise Tiger Triumph 24; Underway for at-sea phase on March 26; Moored at Ore Berth-2 again from March 30-31; Transited the Malacca Strait southbound on April 4; Moored at Berth 3, RSS Singapura from April 5-8.

April 12, The Somerset moored at Rivera Wharf South in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, for a two-week mid-deployment voyage repair availability (VRAV).