The Rushmore (LSD 47) is named after the Mount Rushmore National Monument in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It was built by Avondale Industries in New Orleans, Louisiana. Mrs. Meredith Brokaw, wife of NBC News anchorman Tom Brokaw, christened the ship on May 6, 1989. Commissioning ceremony was held on June 1, 1991, on the banks of the Mississippi River at the River Walk, New Orleans.

July 9, 2002 USS Rushmore, commanded by Cmdr. Clayton Saunders, is currently off the coast of Hawaii, participating in the Rim of the Pacific exercise with the USS Tarawa ARG. RIMPAC 2002 is a major maritime exercise being conducted in the waters off Hawaii from June 24- July 22.

January 6, 2003 USS Rushmore departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment, with the USS Tarawa Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th MEU, in support of the Operation Enduring Freedom; Returned home on July 13.

June 28, 2004 The dock landing ship pulled into Pearl Harbor to take part in exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2004.

December 6, The Rushmore departed Naval Base San Diego for a scheduled western Pacific deployment, with the USS Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group Five and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), in support of the Global War on Terrorism. ESG-5 completed its final preparations for deployment in November during a U.S. 3rd Fleet Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) off the southern coast of California.

January 4, 2005 The BHR ESG cut short its port visit to Guam on Dec. 28 and set sail for South Asia to provide humanitarian assistance to the disaster stricken region after an earthquake followed by a massive tsunami paralyzed it on Dec. 26.

April 19, ESG 5 departed Arabian Gulf after bringing the 15th MEU back aboard from combat operations in Iraq. ESG ships were on station in the Gulf for almost three months protecting vital Iraqi oil terminals and conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO).

June 6, USS Rushmore returned to homeport after concluding its 182-day deployment in support of the global war on terrorism.

July 20, 2006 LSD 47 is currently participating in a multi-national exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006, in the Hawaiian Op. Area.

January 22, 2007 USS Rushmore is currently participating in Expeditionary Strike Group Integrated Training (ESGINT) exercice, in the SOCAL Op. Area, in preparation for the upcoming deployment with the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6).

February 20, The dock landing ship is currently underway for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) off the coast of southern California.

April 10, USS Rushmore departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism and Maritime Security Operations (MSO).

May 1, LSD 47 departed Apra Harbor, Guam, after a three-day port visit; Moored at Changi Naval Base in Singapore from on May ?-12; Entered the Arabian Gulf on May 23.

July 4, The Rushmore recently pulled into Jebel Ali, U.A.E, for a port visit to Dubai.

October 21, USS Rushmore departed Fremantle, Australia, after a five-day visit to Perth.

November 19, USS Rushmore returned to Naval Base San Diego after a seven-month deployment.

May 20, 2008 LSD 47 and USS Preble (DDG 88), accompanied by a U.S. Navy hovercraft, paraded through Seattle's Elliott Bay during the 100th anniversary of the Great White Fleet's visit to the Puget Sound.

September 27, The dock landing ship is currently supporting Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations at the Nanoose Firing Range, British Columbia.

October 10, USS Rushmore completed 10 days of intense torpedo firing exercises and developmental surface ship torpedo defense experimentation at the Canadian Forces Maritime Experimental and Test Ranges (CFMETR).

Janaury 12, 2009 Cmdr. William R. Grotewold relieved Cmdr. Calvin D. Slocumb as CO of the Rushmore during a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Base San Diego.

July 1, LSD 47 is currently conducting at-sea operations in preparation for an upcoming deployment with the Bonhomme Richard ARG.

September 18, USS Rushmore departed San Diego for a scheduled Middle East deployment.

October 5, The Rushmore arrived in Apra Harbor, Guam, for a routine port call.

October 28, USS Rushmore, along with USS Cleveland (LPD 7), arrived in Singapore for a scheduled port visit.

March 2, 2010 LSD 47 anchored off the coast of Phuket, Thailand, for a four-day port visit.

March 21, The Rushmore departed Fukuoka, Japan, after a five-day port visit.

April 7, The dock landing ship departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after a two-day port call.

April 14, USS Rushmore returned to homeport after a seven-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

October 15, Cmdr. Brian J. Finman relieved Cmdr. William R. Grotewold as CO of the Rushmore during a change-of-command ceremony at NASSCO shipyard.

October 25, LSD 47 completed the first major milestone of its Extended Docking Phased Maintenance Availability (E-DPMA), when it successfully transitioned from berthing in a dry dock to tying up next to a pier.

July 21, 2011 USS Rushmore recently returned to Naval Base San Diego after sea trials, completing the 52-week E-DPMA.

September 17, The dock landing ship arrived at Broadway Pier to participate in San Diego Fleet Week 2011.

October 5, USS Rushmore participated in a Navy/Marine Corps amphibious landing exercise Dawn Blitz 2011, off the coast of Camp Pendleton, from Sept. 28- Oct. 3.

June 1, 2012 The Rushmore is currently participating in an Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 3/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT).

July 18, USS Rushmore departed San Diego to participate in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), as part of the USS Peleliu (LHA 5) ARG. Underway for a Friends and Family Day Cruise on Aug. 8; Underway for Certification Exercise (CERTEX) on Aug. 15.

September 17, USS Rushmore departed San Diego for a scheduled Middle East deployment; Inport Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from Sept. 24-25.

October 10, LSD 47 arrived off the coast of Dili, Timor-Leste, to participate in a joint training exercise Crocodilo 2012; Arrived in Darwin, Australia, on Oct. 15.

From November 8-21, the Rushmore participated in a bilateral amphibious exercise Eager Mace 13-1, in the Arabian Gulf; Anchored off Kuwait Naval Base for backload from Nov. 27- Dec. 1.

December 1, Cmdr. James T. Robinson relieved Cmdr. Brian J. Finma as CO of the USS Rushmore during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship in the Arabian Gulf.

December 2?, USS Rushmore pulled into Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Hidd, Bahrain, for a routine port call after participating in exercise Iron Magic with the United Arab Emirates.

January 26, 2013 The Rushmore moored at the newly-constructed Khalifa Port in Taweelah, U.A.E., for a three-day visit to Abu Dhabi after participating in a bilateral amphibious exercise Red Reef in Saudi Arabia. The facility is located between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, near the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (KIZAD), and costed more than $7 billion.

In February, LSD 47 moored at Aqaba Naval Base, Jordan, for a routine port call to conduct agricultural washdowns.

March 22, USS Rushmore moored again at Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) for a six-day port call.

April 15, The Rushmore anchored in Victoria Harbour for a four-day port visit to Hong Kong; Inport Pearl Harbor from May 3-6.

May 14, USS Rushmore returned to Naval Base San Diego after an eight-month deployment.

August 22, The dock landing ship commenced a three-and-a-half month Phased Maintenance Availability (PMA).

March 10, 2014 USS Rushmore departed homeport for routine training in the SOCAL Op. Area.

June 10, Cmdr. Thomas S. Stephens relieved Cmdr. James T. Robinson as the 15th CO of Rushmore during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship at Naval Base San Diego.

June 19, The Rushmore recently departed San Diego to participate in biennial multinational exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), in the Hawaiian Op. Area.

June 25, LSD 47 anchored off MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, to offload equipment; Inport Pearl Harbor from June 27- July 8.

July 11, USS Rushmore participated in an Advanced Warfighting Experiment, sponsored by the Marine Corps Warfighting Lab and funded and carried out by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), off the east coast of Oahu. A half-scale Ultra Heavy-lift Amphibious Connector (UHAC) hovercraft prototype departed the Marine Corps Training Area Bellows and made its way to the well deck of dock landing ship. It then picked up and transported an internally transportable vehicle (ITV) back to shore.

July 31, The Rushmore moored at Berth B17 in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a four-day port visit; Returned home on Aug. 1?.

From December 8-11, USS Rushmore participated in annual amphibious exercise Steel Knight, with elements from 1st Marine Division, off the coast of San Clemente Island.

January 23, 2015 USS Rushmore recently departed homeport for a Sustainment Exercise (SUSTEX) off the coast of southern California; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 6 on Feb. 6; Underway for Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 3/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) with the 15th MEU from Feb. 23- March 10; Underway for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) from March 16-31; Underway for a Certification Exercise (CERTEX) from April 8-22.

May 11, USS Rushmore departed San Diego for a scheduled deployment.

From May 18-21, the Rushmore participated in amphibious exercise Culebra Koa, off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii.

June 5, USS Rushmored anchored off the coast of Manado, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, for a four-day port visit.

June 10, The dock landing ship rescued 65 people from a sinking bamboo rafts tied together with no means of propulsion, food or water, while transiting the Makassar Strait.

June 28, LSD 47 recently entered the Arabian Gulf after transiting Strait of Hormuz.

July 14, USS Rushmore recently moored at Khalifa Port, United Arab Emirates, for a liberty visit to Abu Dhabi.

July 31, The Rushmore moored at Mina Salman Port in Manama, Bahrain, for a 10-day upkeep.

August 25, USS Rushmore moored at Mina Zayed Port in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., for a liberty port visit.

September 4, The Rushmore recently commenced backload of Marines and equipment, while anchored off Kuwait Naval Base, after a two-week of sustainment training exercises; Inport Mina Salman, Bahrain, again from Sept. 14-18; Transited the Strait of Hormuz southbound on Sept. 19.

From October 20-21, the Rushmore conducted deck landing qualifications with two U.S. Air Force's CV-22 Osprey, assigned to the 82nd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERS), while underway in the North Arabian Sea.

November 10, USS Rushmore commenced a three-day joint amphibious exercise MALUS AMPHEX 2014, at the Kampung Tanduo beach, off the coast of Sabah, Malaysia.

November 16, USS Rushmore anchored off the coast of Tanjung Benoa, Indonesia, for a four-day liberty visit to Bali; Transited the Makassar Strait northbound on Nov. 22.

December 5, The dock landing ship pulled into Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for a brief port call to embark "Tigers."

December 15, USS Rushmore moored at Berth 2, Pier 10 on Naval Base San Diego following a seven-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet AoR.

February 9, 2016 BAE Systems San Diego Ship Repair was awarded a $52,1 million modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-12-C-4403) for the Rushmore's Phased Maintenance Availability (PMA). Work is expected to be completed by March 2017.

February 19, USS Rushmore departed homeport to offload ammunition at the Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach, Calif.

March 1, Cmdr. Sarah H. DeGroot relieved Cmdr. Thomas S. Stephens as CO of the Rushmore during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship at Naval Base San Diego.

March 21, The Rushmore recently moved "dead-stick" from Pier 10, Naval Base San Diego to BAE Systems shipyard.

November 21, The CO Cmdr. Sarah DeGroot abruptly resigned on Monday and walked off the job. Cmdr. Karrey D. Sanders assumed temporary command of LSD 47. 

January 12, 2017 USS Rushmore moved from BAE Systems shipyard to Berth 6, Pier 1 on Naval Base San Diego.

January 2?, Cmdr. John W. Ryan relieved Cmdr. Karrey Sanders as commanding officer of the USS Rushmore.

February 24, USS Rushmore departed Naval Base San Diego to conduct sea trials; Brief stop at Navy Fuel Farm (NFF) on Naval Base Point Loma to refuel before moored at Berth 6, Pier 1 on March 2.

April 7, The Rushmore moored at Berth 5, Pier 1 on Naval Base San Diego after a three-day underway for sea trials; Underway again from April 18-21.

May 5, USS Rushmore moored at Berth 1, Pier 12 on Naval Base San Diego after a four-day underway off the coast of southern California.

May 12, The Rushmore moored at Berth 5, Pier 1 after a four-day underway for well deck certification; Brief underway for Career Orientation Training for Midshipmen (CORTRAMID) cruise on May 23; Underway again on May 30; Anchored off Coronado from June 6-8; Returned home on June 9.

June 15, LSD 47 moored at Berth 5, Pier 1 on Naval Base San Diego after a two-day underway for routine training.

July 24, USS Rushmore moored at Berth 5, Pier 6 on Naval Base San Diego after a three-day underway for ammo onload at the NWS Seal Beach, following a five-week Continuous Maintenance Availability (CMAV); Underway for CORTRAMID summer cruise from July 26-27; Day-long underway on July 31.

August 4, The Rushmore moored at Berth 1, Pier 6 on Naval Base San Diego after a three-day underway in the SOCAL Op. Area.

August 14, USS Rushmore departed San Diego in support of the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) in the western Pacific.

August 21, The dock landing ship moored at Pier M3 on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for a one-day port call.

September 3, USS Rushmore moored at Main Dock in Pago Pago, American Samoa, for a two-day port call; Anchored off Port Vila, Republic of Vanuatu, for a brief stop due to bad weather on Sept. 15; Inport Townsville, Australia, from Sept. 19-20; Moored at Pier M3 in Pearl Harbor from Sept. 29- Oct. 5.

October 12, The Rushmore moored at Berth O/P, Carrier Wharf on Naval Air Station North Island for a brief stop before moored at Berth 2, Pier 6 on Naval Base San Diego.

October 20, USS Rushmore moored at Navy Fuel Farm (NFF) on Naval Base Point Loma for a brief stop before underway in support of amphibious landing exercise Dawn Blitz 17, as part of the USS Essex (LHD 2) ARG; Moored at Berth 1, Pier 6 on Nov. 3.

November 28, Capt. Gerald R. Olin relieved Capt. Patrick V. Foege as Commander, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 1, during a change-of-command ceremony on the port bridge wing of LSD 47, while underway off the coast of San Diego.

November 29, The Rushmore moored at Berth 1, Pier 6 on Naval Base San Diego after a one-day underway for routine training; Underway in support of the amphibious exercise Steel Knight 2018 on Dec. 2; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 6 on Dec. 11.

January 17, 2018 USS Rushmore returned to Naval Base San Diego, on Wednesday evening, after a one-day underway for Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) rehearsal.

January 30, USS Rushmore moored at Bravo Pier for a brief stop to onload ammo before underway in support of exercise Iron Fist 2018, with the elements from 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), off the coast of San Clemente Island and Camp Pendleton; Returned home on Feb. 7.

March 5, The Rushmore departed Naval Base San Diego for Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise, as part of the USS Essex ARG; Moored at Bravo Pier, NAS North Island for a brief stop to onload ammo on March 6; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 6 on March 14; Day-long underway for INSURV assessment on March 20.

March 26, USS Rushmore departed homeport for Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 1/Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT), with the 13th MEU; Brief stop at Bravo Pier to onload ammo before moored at Berth 2, Pier 6 on April 5.

May 10, LSD 47 moored at Berth 1, Pier 6 on Naval Base San Diego after a 16-day underway for ARG/MEU Exercise (MEUEX).

May 25, Cmdr. Robert C. Tryon relieved Cmdr. John W. Ryan as the 18th CO of Rushmore during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

June 15, The Rushmore moored at Berth 2, Pier 6 after a 16-day underway for Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

July 10, USS Rushmore departed San Diego for a scheduled Middle East deployment.

August 9, USS Rushmore moored at Jakarta International Container Terminal in Port of Tanjung Priok, Indonesia, to participate in the 24th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise; Underway for at-sea phase on Aug. 12; Conducted amphibious landing at Banongan Beach, Situbondo, on Aug. 15.

August 21, The Rushmore moored at Berth 5, RSS Singapura (The ex-Changi Naval Base) for a five-day liberty port visit to Singapore; Transited the Malacca Strait northbound on Aug. 27.

September 8, The Rushmore commenced a two-week amphibious training exercise Alligator Dagger 18-2, off the coast of Arta Beach, Djibouti; Moored at General Cargo Terminal in Port of Duqm, Oman, for upkeep from Sept. 25- Oct. 2; Transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound on Oct. 1?.

October 13, USS Rushmore moored at Berth 59, Quay 9 in Port of Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates, for a liberty visit to Dubai; Moored at Mina Salman Port in Manama, Bahrain, from Nov. 21-25.?

November 26, The dock landing ship offloaded elements from the Battalion Landing Team 3/1 at Qatar for exercise Eastern Maverick 19; Transited the Strait of Hormuz southbound on Dec. 7; Moored at Berth 8, Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman, from Dec. 9-13.

December 21, USS Rushmore moored at Passenger Terminal in Port of Colombo, Sri Lanka, for a five-day liberty visit to celebrate the Christmas Day.

January 7, 2019 The Rushmore conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE 3), while underway in the North Arabian Sea; Inport Fujairah, Oman, for a brief stop on Jan. 11.?

January 23, USS Rushmore moored West Quay 4, Dr. Ambedkar Dock in Port of Chennai, India, for a four-day liberty visit; Transited the Strait of Singapore eastbound on Jan. 31; Transited the San Bernardino Strait northbound on Feb. 5.

February 16, LSD 47 moored at Pier H1/H2 on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for a four-day port visit to embark friends and family members for a Tiger Cruise.

March 1, USS Rushmore moored at Berth 2, Pier 10 on Naval Base San Diego following an eight-month deployment.

March 6, Huntington Ingalls Industries, San Diego Shipyard Inc. was awarded a $118,4 million contract for the USS Rushmore's Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA). This contract includes options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value of this contract to $154,2 million and the work is expected to be completed by May 2020.

March 29, The Rushmore departed homeport for a three-day underway to conduct deck landing qualifications; Underway again on April 12; Moored at Wharf 311, Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach for ammo offload from April 15-19; Moored at Berth 2, Pier 10 on April 19.?

May 20, USS Rushmore moved "dead-stick" from Pier 10 to graving dry-dock at 32nd Street, on late Monday night.

October 18, Cmdr. Robin N. Marling relieved Cmdr. Robert C. Tryon as CO of the Rushmore during a change-of-command ceremony at Bainbridge Park on Naval Base San Diego.

December ?, USS Rushmore undocked and moored pierside at Continental Maritime of San Diego (CMSD) shipyard.

November ?, 2020 The Rushmore moved "dead-stick" from CMSD shipyard to Berth 2, Pier 4 on Naval Base San Diego; Underway for sea trials from Jan. 4-8.

February 4, 2021 Cmdr. Emily Y. Royse relieved Cmdr. Robin N. Marling as the 20th CO of LSD 47 during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

February 13, USS Rushmore moored at Berth 2, Pier 4 on Naval Base San Diego after an eight-day underway for routine training; Underway again from March 1-?; Moored at Bravo Pier for a brief stop to onload ammo before underway on March 8; Returned home on March 26.

April 30, The Rushmore moored at Navy Fuel Farm (NFF) on Naval Base Point Loma for a brief stop to refuel before underway in the SOCAL Op. Area; Anchored at A-172 for a brief stop on May 5; Returned home on May 15; Underway again from June 2-11.

July 9, USS Rushmore moored at Berth 5, Pier 2 on Naval Base San Diego after an 18-day underway off the coast of southern California; Underway en route to Sasebo, Japan, on Sept. 27; Moored at Wharf 311, NWS Seal Beach for ammo onload from Oct. 1-2.

October 4, USS Rushmore moored at Pier 30/32 in San Francisco, Calif., for an eight-day port visit to participate in annual Fleet Week celebration; Moored at Ammunition Pier, Naval Magazine Indian Island in Port Hadlock, Wash., from Oct. 16-28; Anchored off Yokosuka, Japan, for a brief stop on Nov. 14; Transited the Osumi Strait westbound on Nov. 16.

November 17, USS Rushmore moored at Berth 7, India Basin in its new homeport of Fleet Activities Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, for the first time; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor for ammo offload from Dec. 14-17.

March 25, 2022 The Rushmore departed homeport for routine training, following a Continuous Maintenance Availability (CMAV); Conducted operations in Sagami Wan from April 4-6; Transited the Osumi Strait eastbound on April 7; Moored at Berth 1, India Basin on April 8; Underway again on April 30.

June 20, USS Rushmore moored at Berth 6, India Basin in Fleet Activities Sasebo following a seven-week patrol; Underway again on Aug. 2.

August 4, The Rushmore moored at Navy Pier, White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan, for a two-day port call to onload Marines and equipment, from the 31st MEU, before conducting Amphibious Integration Training (AIT) and Certification Exercise (CERTEX); Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7) and USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) on Aug. 15.

August 26, LSD 47 transited westbound, off the south coast of Okinawa, on Friday evening; Transited eastbound on Aug. 27; Brief stop off Fleet Activities Yokosuka on Aug. 31; Moored at Berth F, Mizuho Wharf in Port of Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, from Sept. 1-5; Transited the Osumi Strait westbound on Sept. 7.

September 15, USS Rushmore moored at Berth 12 on Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a one-day port call; Conducted operations in Suruga Wan on Sept. 17; Arrived in Sagami Wan on Sept. 18; Moored at Berth 12 again from Sept. 19-22; Transited the San Bernardino Strait southbound on Sept. 27; Inport Puerto Princesa, Palawan, from Sept. 28- Oct. 1.

October 11, The Rushmore transited the Verde Island Passage eastbound; Transited the San Bernardino Strait northbound on Oct. 12; Moored at Navy Pier, White Beach Naval Facility for offload from Oct. 14-17; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor on Oct. 19.?

October 20, USS Rushmore moored at Berth 1, India Basin on Fleet Activities Sasebo following a nearly three-month patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet AoR.

December 6, The Rushmore moved from Berth 1 to Berth 6, India Basin on Fleet Activities Sasebo; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor for ammo offload from Feb. 7-13, 2023; Entered to Dry Dock #2 at SSK Shipyard on March 3.