The contract to build the Kearsarge was awarded to Ingalls on Nov 20, 1987. The keel was laid on February 6, 1990, and she was launched on March 26, 1992. USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) was commissioned October 16, 1993.

USS Kearsarge, USS Nashville (LPD 13) and USS Pensacola departed Norfolk Naval Station on March 22, 1995, bound for the Mediterranean Sea as a member of Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group (MARG) 2-95 and the Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Battle Group. After an extensive five month training period, the Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked at Onslow Bay, North Carolina. The ARG departed Onlsow Bay on March 23.

After the two week transit, USS Kearsarge ARG relieved the USS Nassau ARG as Task Force Six One. Highlights of the deployment include the visit of the Kearsarge to Malta on July 31. The three-ship said farewell to the Adriatic Sea on August 20. Before beginning their transit west, they took in some last liberty ports. Nashville stopped in Zakinthos, Greece, and Ibiza, Spain. Pensacola visited Naples, Italy, and Valencia, Spain. Kearsarge enjoyed Corfu, Greece, and Barcelona, Spain. The ARG rejoined in Rota, Spain, on Sept. 4. The Marine Amphibious Ready Group was employed across a wide variety of naval activities during the deployment, including the rescue of U.S. Air Force Capt. Scott O'Grady June 8, after he had spent six days behind enemy lines.

On September 9 LHD 3 ARG rendezvoused with the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group to conduct a turnover. On Sept. 20 three ships arrived in Onslow Bay, North Carolina, where the 24th MEU debarked. They returned home on September 22, 1995.

April 15, 1997 USS Kearsarge departed Norfolk for a six-month deployment to relieve USS Nassau off the west African coast. The amphibious assault ship returned to homeport in October.

October 14, 1999 USS Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group returned to Norfolk after a six-month deployment in the 6th Fleet AoO. The deployment was anything but routine. Upon arrival on station in the Adriatic Sea, three ships deployed its Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit into Albania, to construct a camp for refugees fleeing the fighting in Kosovo. Marine Corps AV-8B "Harrier" aircraft then conducted numerous bombing runs into Kosovo during the NATO-led effort to remove Serbian armed forces from the province. Once the Serbs withdrew from Kosovo, the ARG's Marines once again deployed ashore, this time into Kosovo to provide an initial peacekeeping presence in the region, along with other NATO forces. The 26th MEU spent 40 days in Kosovo before returning to the ships. After enjoying liberty in several Mediterranean ports, the ARG/MEU team was once again called into action, this time to provide relief and assistance to Turkey in the wake of a devastating earthquake. The heavily populated city of Izmit and surrounding areas were the hardest hit Aug. 17, by an early-morning 7.4-magnitude earthquake that left over 15,000 dead and thousands more injured and homeless. The Kearsarge ARG were called to the sea of Marmara after the earthquake struck in support of operation Avid Response, the U.S. military's humanitarian response to the quake. During the past six months, three ships traveled more than 15 thousand miles, and visited ports such as Brindisi, Italy; Haifa, Israel; and Palma, Spain.

April 25, 2001 USS Kearsarge departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled six-month deployment in Mediterranean Sea, with the USS Enterprise CBG. LHD 3 returned home Oct. 17.

January 12, 2003 During the onload of the 2nd MEB in Onslow Bay, North Carolina, USS Kearsarge recived orders to deploy on 17th with ATF-E, to support Operation Enduring Freedom and Global War on Terrorism. The Kearsarge serves as the Flagship of a seven ships of ATF-E. On Feb. 4th they transited the Suez Chanel. On Feb. 15 marines started with off-loading on Kuwait beaches.

May 26, A Special Memorial Day Service, was held aboard the Kearsarge, to honor a 23 Marrines assigned to 2nd MEB who lost their lives during combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

June 30, USS Kearsarge ARG returned to Norfolk after six-and-a-half month in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. The amphibious assault ship also provided support to the President of the United States during his summits with the Arab leaders in Sharm-el Skeik, Egypt and Aqaba, Jordan. LHD 3 was also extended on deployment when directed to prepare for possible support in Operation Shinning Express in western Africa.

April 28, 2004 After four months, hundreds of maintenance and modernization items and countless training hours later, the Kearsarge returned to Norfolk Naval Station following the completion of sea trials.

June 8, USS Kearsarge is surged deployed to transport elements of the 24th MEU Air Combat Element to the Central Command Area of Responsibility in support of operation Iraqi Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. On June 27th she transited the Suez Chanel. On July 7 marrines started with off-loading in Kuwait. On July 22 the amphibious assault ship pulled to Souda Bay, Crete, for a four-day port visit on its way back to Norfolk. USS Kearsarge returned to it's homeport on Aug. 14.

November 1, The ships of the LHD 3 ESG sailed together for the first time during an at-sea exercise October 25-27.

November 23, USS Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group completed PHIBRON-Marine Integrated Training while underway November 15-23. PMINT is the initial training that includes the Marines of the 26th MEU.

January 28, 2005 LHD 3 ESG returned to homeports after successfully completing its Expeditionary Strike Group exercise off the East Coast of the United States.

February 4, Rear Adm. Michael P. Nowakowski relieved Rear Adm. Terrance T. Etnyre as Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet (SURFLANT), during a change of command ceremony held aboard the Kearsarge at Naval Station Norfolk.

February 15, LHD 3 is currently conducting Certification Exercise (CERTEX), off the coast of North Carolina, in preparation for it's upcoming deployment. USS Kearsarge ESG successfully completed its final exercise on 25th.

March 25, USS Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group and the 26th MEU got underway for their scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

April 1, Helicopter Combat Support Squadron HC-8 was redesignated Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron HSC-28 as part of a merger of the HC and helicopter anti-submarine HS communities. The change is a result of the introduction of the MH-60S Knighthawk, replacing the CH-46D Sea Knight, UH-3H Sea King and the SH-60F Seahawk, and the future introduction of the MH-60R Seahawk, which is replacing the SH-60B Seahawk.

April 11, The Kearsarge followed a pair of Moroccan frigates through the Strait of Gibraltar April 7, completing the first leg of its deployment when it entered the Mediterranean Sea. The Expeditionary Strike Group completed a joint exercise with the Moroccan navy the night before transiting the Strait. LHD 3 pulled to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, April 7 for a six-day port visit.

April 22, The amphibious assault ship transited Suez Canal on it's way to Persian Gulf.

April 26, LHD 3 transported members off the 26th MEU, on Djibouti beaches, during an exercise with Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa. The ship arrived on station in the Persian Gulf May 2.

May 24, Three ships from Expeditionary Srike Group offloaded the Marines at the Kuwait Naval Base May 15-17.

June 11, The amphibious assault ship departed Jebel Ali, U.A.E., after a five-day port visit.

June 24, Capt. Joseph Sensi, Jr., relieved Capt. Luke R. Parent as CO of USS Kearsarge, during a change of command ceremony on board the ship.

The final exercise of the Kearsarge deployment was conducted August 13-25 with Jordan. More than 1,000 Marines of the 26th MEU were put ashore. LHD 3 and LSD 48 entered port in Aqaba that day and remained on station to support the exercise while in port. The ships got underway as a pre-planned security measure when a Jordanian warehouse in the port was struck by a terrorist rocket that killed one Jordanian soldier and injured another.

September 1, Expeditionary Strike Group pulled to Naval Station Souda Bay, Crete, for a routine port call.

September 27, USS Kearsarge returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a six-month underway period.

December 12, LHD 3 is currently receiving structural and equipment upgrades to become the first amphibious assault ship to accommodate the Marine Corps’ MV-22 Osprey. The contract is part of an array of maintenance and equipment upgrades being conducted during Kearsarge’s shipyard period at BAE Systems Norfolk, Va., until late February.

March 8, 2006 The amphibious assault ship is currently conducting sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean.

April 24, USS Kearsarge is currently conducting training operations in the Atlantic Ocean.

May 24, LHD 3 arrived in New York City to participate in Navy Fleet Week.

June 28, The Kearsarge pulled to Boston Harbor to celebrate the 4th of July festival, Boston Harborfest 2006, showcasing the colonial and maritime heritage of Boston.

August 15, USS Kearsarge departed Naval Station Norfolk to participate in the multi-national exercise PANAMAX 2006. PANAMAX is a joint training exercise lead by the United States and involves personnel, aircraft and ships from Central and South American countries as well as Caribbean nations. It will serve as the command and control platform for the multinational force conducting the exercise.

September 13, USS Kearsarge completed PANAMAX 2006 Aug. 30 in the Caribbean Sea. The ship moored at Colon, Panama, Aug. 21 and embarked more than 270 foreign military officers and four staffs. The crew of the amphibious assault ship made two port visits to Cartagena, Colombia, and the island of Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles from Sept. 1-10. Enroute to Cartagena and while in port there, the Kearsarge also conducted a professional exchange with the Colombian navy.

December 5, LHD 3 completed an ammunition transfer with USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and USS Bataan (LHD 5) during a scheduled underway off the coast of Virginia Dec. 2. Kearsarge brought on more than 900 pallets of ordnance from Iwo Jima in preparation for the ship’s scheduled deployment next year. The evolution, which was scheduled for three days, was accomplished in two. The Kearsarge then transferred 60 pallets to Bataan to fully stock their ordnance in preparation for their upcoming deployment.

February 16, 2007 Capt. James Gregorski relieved Capt. Joseph Sensi, Jr. as CO of the USS Kearsarge.

March 14, The amphibious assault ship completed a successful three-day sea trials following major repairs to No. 2 low pressure turbine and an extensive maintenance availability period.

April 30, LHD 3 pulled to Port Everglades, Florida, for Fleet Week South 2007. The Kearsarge, along with six other ships, is visiting Fort Lauderdale for the annual celebration of the U.S. Navy and the service it provides.

May 15, USS Kearsarge is currently in the Atlantic Ocean conducting Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

June 15, The Kearsarge ESG is currently conducting Certification Exercise (CERTEX), off the coast of North Carolina, in preparation for it's upcoming deployment.

July 30, USS Kearsarge ESG, along with 22nd MEU, departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment in support of Maritime Security Operations and the Global War on Terrorism.

August 19, The amphibious assault ship departed Valletta, Malta, after a four-day port visit.

August 22, After a brief stop at Souda Bay, Crete, Aug. 20-21 the Kearsarge pulled to Marmaris, Turkey, for a scheduled port call.

September 11, The Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group recently arrived in Persian Gulf after a brief stop in Djibouti to provide humanitarian supplies to two charities through the Navy's program "Project Handclasp." While operating in the Mediterranean, the strike group visited 13 ports in eight nations and participated in over 20 community relations events in two weeks.

November 23, USS Kearsarge arrived off the coast of Bangladesh, to assist in relief efforts, after cyclone Sidr struck the southern coast Nov. 15, killed more than 3,500 people and displaced at least two million others.

December 3, LHD 3 was relieved by USS Tarawa (LHA 1) on station off the coast of Bangladesh. More than 162,000 lbs. of relief supplies have been delivered to Bangladesh by the Kearsarge and the 22nd MEU as of Dec. 2.

December 19, USS Kearsarge is currently in the Persian Gulf in support of maritime security operations.

December 1, USS Kearsarge ESG transited the Suez Canal after concluded operations in the 5th Fleet AoR. The amphibious assault ship pulled to Haifa, Israel, on Jan. 2 for a scheduled port visit.

January 20, LHD 3 departed Rota, Spain, after a four-day port call.

February 1, 2008 USS Kearsarge returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a six-month deployment.

May 19, USS Kearsarge, USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), USS Monterey (CG 61), USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) and USS Nitze (DDG 94) departed Norfolk to participate in the 21st Fleet Week New York, which will take place May 21-28.

August 6, USS Kearsarge departed Norfolk for a scheduled underway period to the Caribbean and South America in support of Operation Continuing Promise.

September 6, The amphibious assault ship departed for Haiti to assist with relief efforts in areas affected by flooding due to tropical storm activity in the Caribbean. The Kearsarge has been in Santa, Marta, Columbia, since Aug. 27, conducting the humanitarian/civic assistance (HCA) mission CP 2008.

September 21, After a two-day stop at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to refuel and obtain supplies, LHD 3 returned to Haiti to continue its humanitarian assistance/disaster relief mission. To date, helicopters and landing craft embarked aboard Kearsarge have delivered more than 1,200 metric tons of relief supplies, including 26,000 gallons of water to devastated communities isolated by damaged roads and bridges.

September 26, The Kearsarge departed Haiti after completing a 19-day disaster relief mission in the storm-ravaged Caribbean nation. She will remain in the region through November and will continue her humanitarian assistance mission during scheduled visits to the Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago.

October 25, The amphibious assault ship arrived in Port of Spain, Trinidad, for a goodwill port call, after recently departed Curacao, Netherlands Antilles.

November 9, USS Kearsarge anchored 17 miles off Guyana’s coast for the final stop in the Caribbean Phase of Continuing Promise '08.

November 22, LHD 3 departed Georgetown, Guyana, to begin transit back to Norfolk, Va. During the deployment, the CP 2008 medical contingent of more than 150 joint military and international military medical professionals and non-governmental organizations, worked along side host nation officials to treat more than 47,000 primary care patients, dispense more than 81,300 prescriptions, provide veterinary care to nearly 5,600 animals and conduct more than 198,600 medical, dental and optometric services.

December 2, USS Kearsarge returned to homeport after a four-month deployment.

May 16, 2009 The Kearsarge opened her brow to Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) workers and their families for a unique tour of the ship while undergoing an 11-month maintenance period. The ship is scheduled to remain in dry dock throughout the summer, after which it will begin sea trials prior to a 2010 deployment.

September 11, The amphibious assault ship departed dry dock and is towed to a pierside berth.

November 18, NNSY returned USS Kearsarge to the fleet one day early, after completing a 10-month Docking Phased Maintenance Availability (DPMA). The project team replaced six sections of shafts, removed the port rudder for bearing repairs and installed two new propellers. Work also included boiler inspections and repairs; valve repairs; the installation of a low pressure turbine rotor, a new boat davit and stern flap; and the replacement of old bunks and lockers. The team also performed underwater hull and freeboard blasting and preservation as well as elevator and stern gate work. In addition, flight deck non-skid, a fuel-oil compensating system, and several electronic and communications components were installed.

January 12, 2010 LHD 3 recently completed sea trials off the East Coast.

February 1, The Kearsarge recently returned to Norfolk Naval Station after a three-day sea trials.

February 26, Capt. Baxter A. Goodly relieved Capt. Walter L. Towns as CO of USS Kearsarge during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship at Norfolk.

March 23, The amphibious assault is currently in the Atlantic Ocean conducting sea trials in preparation for a scheduled deployment this fall.

April 20, USS Kearsarge ARG departed Norfolk to participate in a three-week Amphibious Squadron (Phibron)/ Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT), with the 26th MEU, off the coast of North Carolina.

July 9, The Kearsarge ARG is currently in the Atlantic Ocean participating in a Composite Training Unit Exercise, July 7-30. During COMPTUEX, Marines and sailors will also continue to strengthen U.S. alliances by participating in Operation Auriga, a simultaneous bilateral carrier-integration and amphibious training exercise with British naval and Marine forces. USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), USS Mahan (DDG 72), USS Barry (DDG 52), USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41), USS Doyle (FFG 39) HMS Ark Royal (R07), HMS Liverpool (D92) and HMS Albion (L14) will also participate.

July 19, An AV-8B Harrier, assigned to "Fighting Griffins" of the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266, crashed July 18, around 8 p.m., on the Navy’s Pinecastle Range Complex in the Ocala National Forest, near the town of Salt Springs, Fla., during a training mission. Capt. Jarrod L. Klement ejected from the plane and his condition is stable.

August 27, USS Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), along with 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), departed Naval Station Norfolk for a Middle East deployment. The group was originally scheduled to deploy in September but the departure was moved up because of the massive flooding in Pakistan, which so far has claimed 1,600 lives and affected nearly 20 million.

September 13, LHD 3 pulled into Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, for a routine port call. The ARG transited Suez Canal Sept. 16.

December 19, USS Kearsarge anchored in the Salalah port for a scheduled port visit to Oman.

January 6, 2011 Following a request by the commander of United States Forces Afghanistan, in coordination with the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, the commander of U.S. Central Command, Gen. James N. Mattis, has ordered elements from 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit to deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. More than 1,000 MEU Marines and sailors are expected to move into Helmand province by the end of January to provide greater security and support the infrastructure development needed in the region.

January 11, The Kearsarge pulled into Ash Shuaybah, Kuwait, for a routine port call.

February 9, USS Kearsarge ARG recently arrived off the coast of Ismailia, Egypt.

March 1, USS Kearsarge and USS Ponce (LPD 15) were recently ordered to move from the U.S. Central Command region into the Mediterranean Sea to provide the capability for evacuation or humanitarian aid as response to the unrest in Libya. U.S. military officials are closely tracking the events, where armed rebels are clashing with military forces loyal to the Arab nation’s longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi.

March 4, The Kearsarge, Ponce pulled into Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, to onload 400 Marines from 1st Battalion, 2nd Regiment, 2nd Marine Division that arrived on Wednesday.

March 20, AV-8B Harriers, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 266, launched its first combat sorties in support of Operation Odyssey Dawn to enforce U.N. Security Council Resolution 1973, which is centered on protecting Libyan citizens from any further harm from Libyan regime.

March 22, An MV-22 Osprey rescued a pilot Maj. Kenneth "Meso" Harney early Tuesday after the F-15E Strike Eagle, assigned to 494th Fighter Squadron, crashed 25 miles southwest of Benghazi, around 11.35 p.m. local time, March 21. He was returned to USS Kearsarge in good condition. The weapons officer Capt. Tyler "Mask" Stark was later recovered by Libyan rebel fighters, who took him to a safe house.

April 14, LHD 3 recently pulled into Augusta Bay, Italy, for routine maintenance.

April 30, The Kearsarge arrived in Rota, Spain, for a routine port call.

May 16, USS Kearsarge ARG returned home after a nearly nine-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.

June 20, The amphibious assault ship arrived at Leonardo Pier to offload ammunition to Naval Weapons Station Earle, New Jersey. LHD 3 returned to Norfolk June 27.

June 30, Capt. Dorian F. Jones relieved Capt. Baxter A. Goodly as the 13th CO of USS Kearsarge during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

July 20, USS Kearsarge entered the BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repairs facility for a four-month planned maintenance availability (PMA) period.

November 30, The Kearsarge returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a two-day sea trials.

January 6, 2012 LHD 3 departed Norfolk to conduct crew certifications in preparation for future amphibious operations.

January 30, USS Kearsarge departed homeport to participate in the largest joint and multinational amphibious assault exercise, in the past ten years, Bold Aligator 2012 between the Marine Corps and Navy amphibious forces.