USS Ponce (LPD 15) is the 12th and last ship in the Austin-class of Amphibious Transport Docks. The contract to build the Ponce was awarded on May 17, 1965, the keel was laid on October 31, 1966 and she was launched on May 20, 1970. She was delivered to the Navy by Lockheed on June 25, 1971 and she was commissioned on July 10, 1971.

June 10, 1996 More than 1,100 Atlantic Fleet Sailors and Marines left Norfolk on aboard USS Ponce to support security operations off the coast of Liberia. The amphibious transport dock compliment included a Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) from Marine Corps bases in North Carolina. The SPMAGTF, more than 700 combat-ready Marines, could conduct special operations, rescue downed pilots and enhance security at facilities ashore. Once on station, LPD 15 supported security needs of the U.S. Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia. It relieved USS Guam (LPH 9), USS Portland (LSD 37) and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

August 24, The Ponce returned to Norfolk after a two-and-a-half month underway period.

January 12, 2003 USS Ponce departed Naval Station Norfolk, with the Amphibious Task Force (ATF) East, for possible service in the Central Command area of operations in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

June 25, LPD 15 returned to homeport after five-and-a-half month combat deployment in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

March 25, 2005 USS Ponce departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment, as part of the Kearsarge (LHD 3) Expeditionary Strike Group, in support of the global war on terrorism.

August 30, The amphibious transport dock transited the Suez Canal after concluding operations in the 5th Fleet AoR.

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

April 30, 2007 LPD 15 pulled to Port Everglades, Florida, for Fleet Week South 2007.

May 21, The Ponce is currently conducting Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group and the 22nd MEU.

July 30, USS Ponce departed Norfolk for a scheduled underway period in the 5th Fleet AoO.

January 1, 2008 The amphibious transport dock transited the Suez Canal after supporting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Central Command Area of Responsibility.

January 27, 2008 USS Ponce, commanded by Cmdr. Richard Frey, returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a six-month deployment. After the first port call to Ash Shuayba, Kuwait, the ship supported Operation Sea Dragon and her visit, board, search and seizure team conducted approaches on more than 100 fishing and cargo dhows in the Central and Southern Persian Gulf. She also visited Manama, Bahrain; Jebel Ali, U.A.E.; Valletta, Malta; and Rota, Spain.

September 14, LPD 15 departed homeport for a station in the Gulf of Mexico to provide assistance to civilian authorities in the wake of Hurricane Ike. The storm stuck the Texas Gulf Coast Sept. 13 as a major hurricane, causing major flooding and leaving millions without power.

October 28, The Ponce is currently off the East Coast participating in group sail training, as part of the Bataan (LHD 5) ESG.

May 13, 2009 USS Ponce departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 22nd MEU.

June 12, The amphibious transport dock recently arrived in Cyprus after a port visit to Thessaloniki, Greece.

June 22, USS Ponce and USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) transited the Suez Canal to conduct a bilateral training exercise Infinite Response '09 in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

November 16, LPD 15 recently pulled to Santorini, Greece, for a scheduled port visit.

December 8, USS Ponce returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a seven-month underway period.