The Ashland (LSD 48) is the eighth Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship and the second U.S. Navy ship to be named for Ashland, the home of Henry Clay, in Lexington, Kentucky.

The keel was laid down by Avondale Industries shipyard in New Orleans, Louisiana, on April 4, 1989. The ship was and christened and launched on November 11, 1989. Mrs. Kathleen Foley, the wife of Adm. S. R. Foley, Jr., (Ret.), served as sponsor of the ship. Cmdr. Douglas W. Keith is the prospective commanding officer.

May 9, 1992 USS Ashaland is commissioned during a ceremony at Bienville Street Wharf in New Orleans, Louisiana.

From May 11-13, the Ashland was in Todd shipyard for final loadout. Anchored off Panama City, Fla., on May 14 to onload three aditional LCAC's.

May 15, LSD 48 arrived in Tampa, Florida, for a three-day port visit.

May 22, USS Ashland arrived in its homeport of Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, Virginia; Underway for ammo onload at NWS Yorktown and local operations from June 21-26; Underway for Combat Systems Ship's Qualification Trials (CSSQT) Phase II on June 29.

July 2, The Ashland pulled into Naval Station Staten Island for a five-day port visit to New York City in support of OPSAIL 1992; Returned home on July 8; Underway for a Shakedown Cruise in the Guantanamo Bay OPAREA on July 16; Arrived in Naval Station Guantanamo Bay on July 19.

August 25, USS Ashland become the first ship of its class and size, and only the fourth U.S. ship ever, to conduct Mediterranean Moor at NAS GTMO. This moor allowed for and expedited scheduled onload of JTF GTMO retrograde remaining from the Haitian refugee relief operation. The Ashland was scheduled to return retrograde to Morehead City, N.C., and Norfolk.

August 28, The dock landing ship arrived in the vicinity of Eleuthera Island, Bahamas, in support of Hurricane Andrew relief operations; Inport Miami, Fla., from Sept. 3-6 and joined the rest of Task Force 28 to provide relief assistance to Miami area and offload JTF retrograde; Anchored off Eleuthera Island on Sept. 7 to offload Amphibious Seabee detachment and various equipment.

September 10, USS Ashland returned to Little Creek after an eight-week underway period; Underway for local operations from Sept. 28- Oct. 2, Oct. 14-16 and 19-23rd; Underway for Operational Propulsion Plant Examination (OPPE) from Oct. 27-29; Underway for final contract trials with the INSURV on Nov. 3.

From November 16-17, the Ashland was anchored at Lynnhaven Anchorage "C" for Basic School Landing Exercises (BASCOLEX) training; Underway for amphibious operations from Nov. 18-20; Underway for Dependent's Cruise to Naval Weapons Station Yorktown for ammo offload from Nov. 23-24.

December 1, USS Ashland entered the Metro Machine shipyard in Norfolk, Va., for a 10-week Post Shakedown Availability (PSA); Underway for ammo onload at Yorktown, Va., from Feb. 16-17, 1993; Magnetic deperming at Lambert's Point from March 1-4; Underway for amphibious operations from March 15-19.

From March 29 through April 9, the dock landing ship was underway for routine training in the Virginia Capes Op. Area.

April 12, LSD 49 departed Little Creek for a week-long underway to conduct Amphibious Refresher Training (PHIBREFTRA) at Lynnhavan Anchorage "C" and Onslow Bay, North Carolina; Underway for Type Commander's Amphibious Training (TCAT) in the Cherry Point OPAREA on April 26; Inport Morehead City on April 27.

From May 1-15, USS Ashland participated in Operation Ocean Venture, as part of the USS Guadalcanal (LPH 7) ARG, in the Puerto Rican OPAREA; Onload at Morehead City from May 21-22; Supported USS America (CV 66) Joint Task Group (JTG) Phase I and II workups from May 23-38; Returned home on May 29; Underway for JTG Phase III from July 6-22.

August 11, USS Ashland departed Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek for its maiden deployment, with the USS Guadalcanal ARG and 22nd MEU; Onload at Morehead City on Aug. 12.

August 25, The Ashland anchored off the coast of Rota, Spain, for a turnover with the USS Saipan (LHA 2) ARG; Inport Naval Station Rota from Aug. 27- Sept. 1; Participated in Spanish PHIBEX off Sierra de Retin from Sept. 4-8; Suported Operations Deny Flight and Provide Promise in the Adriatic Sea from Sept. 12-15.

September 19, USS Ashland anchored off Izmir, Turkey, for a three-day port visit; Anchored off Doganbey for amphibious landing rehearsal from Sept. 22-23; Participated in NATO exercise Dynamic Guard in Saros Bay, Turkey, from Sept. 25-30; Inport Constanta, Romania, from Oct. 2-6.

October 7, USS Ashland departed Black Sea after diverted to Somalia, canceling its scheduled port visits to Varna, Bulgaria, and Istanbul, Turkey; Anchored off Port Said, Egypt, for an overnight stop on Oct. 11; Transited the Suez Canal southbound on Oct. 12.

October 18, The Ashland arrived off the coast of Somalia in support of Operation Restore Hope; Returned to Mediterranean on Nov. 12; Participated in exercise Bright Star, off Khaliq El Arab, Egypt, from Nov. 13-19.

November 23, The dock landing ship pulled into Toulon, France, for a 15-day upkeep; Participated in exercise Mayflower in the Gulf of Aigues-Mortes from Dec. 8-11.

December 13, USS Ashland arrived in Barcelona, Spain, for a four-day port visit; Inport Naples, Italy, from Dec. 21- Jan. 3.

From January 7-15, 1994, the Ashland operated in the Adriatic Sea, supporting United Nations sanctions against the former Yugoslavian Republics of Bosnia and Serbia.

January 19, LSD 48 arrived in Naval Station Rota for a five-day port call to conduct agricultural counter-measure washdowns of all embarked equipment.

February 5, USS Ashland returned to homeport after a six-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

February 8, Cmdr. Michael G. Hlywiak relieved Cmdr. Douglas W. Keith as CO of the Ashland during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

From March 28-31, the Ashland was underway for routine training in the Virginia Capes Op. Area and Onslow Bay; Underway in support of exercise Agile Provider in Onslow Bay from April 18- May 6.

May 18, The Ashland arrived in Naval Station Newport, R.I., for a five-day Shore Intermediate Maintanance Availability (SIMA); Returned home on May 24; Underway again on May 31.

June 2, USS Ashland moored at Staten Island's Homeport Pier for a five-day visit to New York City for Fleet Week celebration; Returned to Little Creek on June 8; Underway for Dependent's picnic at Lynnhaven anchorage on June 18; Underway for local operations from June 21-24.

July 5, Lt. Lynn T. Chow, the first female crewmember, reported aboard the Ashland as a Gunnery Officer.

July 6, USS Ashland departed Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in support of exercise UNITAS 35-94 Phase 0/1; Conducted onload in Onslow Bay on July 7.

July 11, The Ashland pulled into Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, P.R., for a week-long port call before conducting amphibious operations off Vieques Island; Inport Roosevelt Roads again from July 23-25; Port visit to La Guaira, Venezuela, from July 27-30; Anchored off Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela, from Aug. 4-6; Inport Roosevelt roads from Aug. 7-8; Offload in Onslow Bay on Aug. 11; Returned home on Aug. 12; Underway for local operations from Aug. 16-18.

August 24, USS Ashland departed homeport in support of Operation Able Vigil; Inport Key West, Fla., from Aug. 26-27.

From Aug. 27- Sept. 15, the Ashland rescued or received from other units over 5,100 Cuban migrants and transferred them to processing centers at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

From Sept. 16 through Oct. 17, the dock landing ship supported Operation Uphold Democracy off Haiti as part of CTF-188; Inport Naval Station Guantanamo Bay on Sept. 22 and Oct. 18-19; Port visit to Key West from Oct. 21-22; Returned home on Oct. 25.

From November 7-9, the Ashland was underway for routine training; Underway for OPPE from Nov. 14-18.

November 21, USS Ashland entered the Metro Machine shipyard for a three-month Extended Planned Maintenance Availability (E-PMA); Underway for sea trials from Feb. 14-16, 1995; Underway for routine training on Feb. 21.

February 24, The Ashland anchored off Annapolis, Md., for a two-day visit to U.S. Naval Academy; Returned home on Feb. 27; Underway for local operations from March 14-16.

March 23, LSD 48 departed Little Creek for a Tailored Ship's Training Assessment (TSTA) I in the Guantanamo Bay Op. Area; Inport Naval Station Guantanamo Bay from March 26-30, April 1-3, 5-6, 7-11 and 14-15th; Returned home on April 18; Underway for PHIBREFTRA from April 24-27; Underway for TSTA IV from May 1-3; Underway for TCAT in Onslow Bay Op. Area from May 16-24.

June 26, USS Ashland departed Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek for a scheduled deployment to South America and West Africa in support of UNITAS 36-95 and West African Training Cruise (WATC) '95; Onload at Morehead City on June 27.

July 1, The Ashland arrived in Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, for a four-day port call; Underway for Pre-Phase Zero UNITAS in Vieques OPAREA from July 5-8; Inport Naval Station Roosevelt Roads again from July 8-14; Underway for Phase Zero UNITAS from July 14-19; Inport Roosevelt Roads from July 19-20.

July 22, USS Ashland arrived in La Guaria, Venezuela, for a three-day port visit; Anchored off Puerto La Cruz from July 30- Aug. 1; Anchored off Cartagena, Colombia, from Aug. 5-8.

August 14, The Ashland moored at Naval Station Rodman in Balboa, Panama, for a two-day port call after transited the Panama Canal southbound; Anchored off Malaga, Colombia, for AAV's operations from Aug. 19-20; Inport Naval Station Rodman again from Aug. 22-25.

August 27, USS Ashland anchored off the coast of Salinas, Ecuador, for a four-day port visit; Port call to Callao, Peru, from Sept. 4-7 and 12-14th.

September 18, The Ashland arrived in Coquimbo, Chile, for a three-day port call; Underway for coordinated amphibious assault operations at Punta Aldea from Sept. 21-24; Anchored off Coquimbo from Sept. 24-26.

September 28, USS Ashland pulled into Valparaiso, Chile, for a five-day port call; Port visit to Talcahuano, Chile, from Oct. 4-9; Anchored off Punta Arenas from Oct. 13-14; Anchored off Ushuaia, Chile, from Oct. 16-17.

October 21, LSD 48 arrived in Puerto Belgrano, Argentina, for a three-day port visit; Inport Buenos Aires, Argentina, from Oct. 30- Nov. 2.

November 5, The Ashland pulled into Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for a two-day port call; Anchored in Murambia Bay from Nov. 7-11; Inport Rio de Janeiro again from Nov. 11-15.

November 24, USS Ashland arrived in Lome, Togo, for a two-day port call; Inport Tema, Ghana, from Nov. 27-29; Anchored off Sekondi, Ghana, on Nov. 30.

December 1, The dock landing ship pulled into Abdijan, Ivory Coast, for a three-day port visit; Port call to Praia, Cape Verde, from Dec. 8-9; Inport Morehead City for offload on Dec. 18.

December 19, USS Ashland returned to Little Creek following a five-month deployment in the U.S. 4th and 6th Fleet AoR.

January 5, 1996 Cmdr. Timothy R. Hanley relieved Cmdr. Michael G. Hlywiak as CO of the Ashland.

January 29, The Ashland departed homeport for a five-day underway to conduct routine training as part of the USS Nassau (LHA 4) ARG; Underway again from Feb. 12-16; Underway for TCAT from March 7-12.

April 6, USS Ashland arrived in Naval Station Newport, R.I., for a four-day port visit to conduct school ship training with the Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS); Inport Boston, Mass., from April 11-16; Returned home on Apil 17.

May 6, The Ashland arrived in MHI Ship Repair & Services in Norfolk, Va., for a Planned Maintenance Availability (PMA); Transited to Norfolk Naval Shipyard on July 8; Returned to NAB Little Creek on July 21; Underway for sea trials on Aug. 19; Underway for local operations from Aug. 27-29; Underway to test Ship's Self Defense System (SSDS) off Wallops Island from Sept. 23-27, Oct. 1-4 and Oct. 7-10.

October 12, USS Ashland arrived in Baltimore, Md., for a three-day port visit; Underway again for SSDS DTIIA Phase II from Oct. 16-17, Oct. 21-25, Oct. 28- Nov. 1, Nov. 13-14, 18-22 and 25-26th; Underway for TSTA I from Dec. 9-13.

January 18, 1997 USS Ashland departed homeport for a Refresher Training (REFTRA); Inport Naval Station Mayport, Fla., from Jan. 20- Feb. 7; Returned home on Feb. 9.

February 13, The Ashland arrived again in Baltimore for a three-day port visit to host the Society of Black Engineers Dance; Underway for local operations from Feb. 25-28, March 4-13 and March 24-28; Underway for TSTA III from March 31- April 3; Underway for Final Evaluation Problem (FEP) from April 7-11; Underway for PHIBRON/MEU Integrated Training (PMINT) from May 12-17; Underway for COMTUEX in Onslow Bay from June 20-26; Underway in Virginia Capes Op. Area from June 26-27.

From July 21-30, the Ashland was underway for Marine Expeditionary Unit Exercise (MEUEX) in Onslow Bay; Ammo onload at the NWS Yorktown from Aug. 4-7; Underway for Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) from Aug. 18- Sept. 5.

October 3, USS Ashland departed Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek for a scheduled deployment, as part of the USS Guam (LPH 9) ARG.

October 4, The dock landing ship anchored in Onslow Bay, N.C., to onload elements from the 24th MEU; Anchored off Rota, Spain, on Oct. 15 for turnover with USS Carter Hall (LSD 50).

From Oct. 22 through Nov. 4, the Ashland participated in exercise Bright Star off the coast of Egypt; Anchored off Izmir, Turkey, from Nov. 7-13.

November 12, Cmdr. Antony O. Heimer relieved Cmdr. Timothy R. Hanley as the 4th CO of Ashland.

November 16, USS Ashland pulled into Haifa, Israel, for a 15-day upkeep; Port visit to Rhodes, Greece, from Dec. 3-7; Anchored off Taranto, Italy, to offload Marines in support of PHIBEX, on Dec. 12; Anchored off Corfu, Greece, from Dec. 14-18; Conducted backload off Taranto, Italy, on Dec. 19.

December 22, USS Ashland arrived in Naples, Italy, for a two-week maintenance availability; Participated in INVITEX in the Golfo di Teulada from Jan. 10-17.

January 27, 1998 The Ashland arrived in Taragona, Spain, for a six-day port visit after participated in Spanish PIBLEX, off the coast of Ensenda de Barbate, from Jan. 18-25; Anchored off Augusta Bay, Sicily, to wait for further direction, on Feb. 4; Transited the Suez Canal on Feb. 9; Entered the Arabian Gulf on Feb. 16; Inport Mina Salman in Manama, Bahrain, from Feb. 18-20.

February 25, LSD 48 arrived in Kuwait City for an eight-day port call to conduct agricultural washdowns; Departed Arabian Gulf on March 8; Returned to Mediterranenan on March 17; Anchored in Onslow Bay on March 31; Anchored off Morehead City on April 1.

April 2, USS Ashland returned to Little Creek following a six-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet AoR.

May 14, The Ashland anchored off Annapolis, Md., for a four-day visit to U.S. Naval Academy; Conducted ammo offload at the Naval Weapons Station Yorktown, Va., from May 18-21.

May 26, USS Ashland entered the Newport News shipyard for a three-month Depot Planned Maintenance Availability (DPMA); In dry-dock from June 8- July 23; Underway for sea trials and Hurricane Bonnie evasion from Aug. 25-29; Underway again on Sept. 11.

September 13, The Ashland arrived in Naval Station Newport, R.I., for an eight-day visit to conduct school ship training with the Surface Warfare Officer School (SWOS); Returned home on Sept. 23; Underway for local operations from Sept. 29- Oct. 3.

October 9, The Ashland moored at Nauticus Pier in downtown Norfolk for a four-day visit during Hampton Roads Fleet Week.

November 2, USS Ashland arrived in Panama City, Fla., for a week-long port visit in conjunction with the expeditionary warfare conference.

November 10, USS Ashland arrived in New Orleans, La., for a four-day port visit; Participated in SABRE operations, off the coast of Panama City, from Nov. 15-20; Returned home on Nov. 24; Underway for routine training from Dec. 8-10 and Jan. 19-22, 1999; Underway for TSTA I from Feb. 10-12; Underway for Capabilities Exercise (CAPEX) in Onslow Bay from Feb. 16-19.

March 1, USS Ashland departed Little Creek for a TSTA I in the Virginia Capes and Jacksonville Op. Areas; Inport Naval Station Mayport from March 12-14; Port visit to Miami, Fla., from March 18-22; Returned home on March 24; Underway for TSTA II from April 14-16 and 19-20th; Port visit to Annapolis from April 22-26; Returned home on April 28; Underway for FEP on May 24.

May 27, USS Ashland arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia, for a six-day port visit; Inport Naval Station Newport for school ship training from June 3-10; Returned home on June 11.

June 16, Cmdr. Jorge Sierra relieved Cmdr. Antony O. Heimer as CO of the Ashland during a change-of-command ceremony in the ship's well deck.

From June 22-24, the Ashland was underway for routine training in the Virginia Capes Op. Area; Underway for sea trials, after an eight-week Fleet Maintenance Availability (FMAV), from Aug. 24-26.

September 15, The Ashland emergency sortied from Little Creek to avoid the Hurricane Floyd; Returned home on Sept. 18; Underway for TCAT 3-99 and CAPEX, in the Cherry Point Op. Area from Sept. 27- Oct. 7; Moored at Nauticus Pier from Oct. 8-12 for Fleet Week '99; Underway for local operations from Oct. 19-22.

July 11, 2000 USS Ashland departed Little Creek for a six-month Mediterranean deployment, as part of the USS Saipan (LHA 2) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

From January 28-29, 2001, the Ashland was underway for routine training in the Virginia Capes Op. Area.

February 2, Cmdr. Todd G. Ratner relieved Cmdr. Jorge Sierra as commanding officer of the Ashland.

February 6, LSD 48 arrived in Baltimore, Md., for a six-day port visit. Underway again on Feb. 19; Inport Gulfport, Miss., from Feb. 23-29; Returned home, after evading storms off the East Coast, on March 8; Underway for Midshipmen cruise from June 26-28.

July 9, The Ashland entered the MHI shipyard for a three-month Planned Maintenance Availability (PMA); Moored at Naval Station Norfolk from Oct. 10-12; Underway for sea trials from Oct. 12-13; Underway for local operations on Oct. 22; Onload at Onlow Bay on Oct. 27; Inport Naval Station Mayport, for an amphibious demonstration for the Jacksonville Sea and Sky Extravaganza, from Oct. 29- Nov. 7; Returned home on Nov. 9; Underway for local operations from Jan. 9-11.

February 14, 2002 Cmdr. Samuel C. Howard relieved Cmdr. Todd G. Ratner as the 7th CO of LSD 48.

From Feb. 26 through March 1, the Ashland was underway again for routine training in the Virginia Capes Op. Area; Underway for Pre-INSURV on March 6.

March 8, USS Ashland departed Little Creek for Group Sail operations, as part of the USS Nassau ARG, in the Puerto Rican Op. Area; Inport Roosevelt Roads from March 14-18; Moored at Naval Station Norfolk on March 23; Returned home on April 1; Underway for PHIBRON/MEU Integrated Training (PMINT) from April 16-24.

May 3, The Ashland entered the Moon Engineering shipyard in Portsmouth, Va., for emergent overhaul to all four main engines; Returned to Little Creek on Sept. 23; Underway for sea trials from Oct. 17-24; Underway for local operations from Oct. 28-30, Nov. 12-14, Nov. 25-27, Dec. 4-5 and Dec. 11-12.

January 12, 2003 USS Ashland departed Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, with the Amphibious Task Force (ATF) East, for possible service in the Central Command AoO in support of the Global War on Terrorism. The seven ships comprising ATF East, carring more than 4,750 Sailors and 7,000 Marines from the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB), are flagship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), USS Bataan (LHD 5), USS Saipan (LHA 2), USS Ponce (LPD 15), USS Gunston Hall (LSD 44), USS Portland (LSD 37) and USS Ashland.

January 28, The dock landing ship entered the Mediterranean Sea; Entered the Arabian Gulf on Feb. 13; Conducted offload off Kuwait Naval Base from Feb. 15-19; Moored at Mina Salman Pier in Manama, Bahrain, from April 19-22; Inport Cartagena, Spain, from June 5-9.

June 25, USS Ashland returned to Little Creek after five-and-a-half month Middle East deployment, in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. The Ashland carried the heavy firepower of Marine Corps M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks to the fight. The ship served as a "ready deck" for the aviation ships, as well as a logistic shuttle ship for the 14 Amphibious Task Force ships, moving 53 tons of mail, almost 200 passengers and more than 300 pallets of cargo in support of Operation Desert Tortoise.

From July 29-30, the Ashland was underway for local operations; Underway for INSURV rehearsal from Aug. 19-21; Underway for Pre-INSURV from Aug. 27-28; Underway for local operations from Oct. 20-27 and Nov. 4-6.

October 23, Cmdr. Gary M. Boardman relieved Cmdr. Samuel C. Howard as CO of the Ashland.

December 2, USS Ashland entered the Norfolk Shipbuilding & Drydock Corporation (NORSHIPCO) shipyard in Portsmouth, Va., for a two-month Planned Maintenance Availability (PMA).

February 23, 2004 USS Ashland returned to Little Creek after a six-day underway for sea trials; Underway for local operations from March 3-4; Underway for routine training from April 7-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30, May 10-14, 21-27 and June 1-3; Underway for a Combined Joint Task Force Exercise (CJTFEX) from June 7-18; Underway for routine training from July 26-30, Aug. 23-31 and Sept. 13-16; Ammo onload at NWS Yorktown from Oct. 12-13.

October 18, The Ashland arrived in Panama City, Fla., for a four-day port visit in conjunction with the National Defence Industrial Association Conference; Returned home on Oct. 28; Underway for routine training from Nov. 16-23.

March 25, 2005 USS Ashland departed Little Creek for a scheduled deployment, as part of the USS Kearsarge ESG and the 26th MEU, in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

April 9, The Ashland pulled into Valletta, Malta, for a six-day port visit.

May 15, LSD 48 recently anchored off Kuwait Naval Base to offload Marines and equipment in support of training exercises in Kuwait.

August 13, USS Ashland moored at Aqaba Naval Base in support of training exercise with the Jordanian armed forces.

August 24, Cmdr. David A. Owen relieved Cmdr. Gary M. Boardman as commanding officer of the Ashland.

August 25, The dock landing ship departed Aqaba Naval Base 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; Transited the Suez Canal northbound on Aug. 30; Inport Souda Bay, Crete, from Sept. 1-?.

September 27, USS Ashland returned to Little Creek following a six-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet AoR.

October 27, 2006 The Ashland is currently underway in support of the USS Bataan (LHD 5) ESG's Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

November 16, USS Ashland departed Naval Amphibios Base Little Creek to relieve the USS Saipan (LHA 2) in the U.S. 5th Fleet AoR.

January 8, 2007 The Ashland is currently underway off the coast of Somalia, conducting maritime security operations in an effort to capture al Qaeda terrorists attempting to flee the country.

February 27, Cmdr. Jeffrey A. Ward relieved Cmdr. David A. Owen as CO of the USS Ashland during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship in Arabian Sea.

April 30, LSD 48 arrived in Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, for a routine port call.

May 16, USS Ashland returned to Little Creek following a six-month deployment.

August 24, The Ashland departed homeport for the first at-sea Group Sail exercise in preparation for an upcoming deployment next year; Completed a 17-day Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), as part of the USS Nassau (LHA 4) Expeditionary Strike Group, on Dec. 15.

February 19, 2008 USS Ashland departed Naval Amphibios Base Little Creek for a scheduled deployment.

March 14, The Ashland pulled into Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, for a routine port call.

March 25, The Ashland recently departed Haifa, Israel, after a scheduled port visit; Moored in Port Louis, Mauritius, from April 8-?.

April 12, The Ashland departed French island of Reunion in the Indian Ocean after a two-day port visit. The last U.S. Navy ship to visit the island was USS Spiegel Grove in 1961.

April 15, USS Ashland pulled into Antsiranana, Madagascar, for a liberty port visit. This is only the second time a U.S. Navy ship has visited Madagascar since 1972.

June 12, The Ashland recently completed operations in the North Arabian Gulf (NAG), as part of Combined Task Force (CTF) 158, serving as the Afloat Forward Staging Base (AFSB) for security of Al Basra and the Khawr Al Amaya oil terminals; Inport Rhodes, Greece, from June 15-?.

June 25, The Ashland recently moored at HMNB Gibraltar, British overseas teritory, for a routine port call.

July 11, USS Ashland returned to Little Creek after a nearly five-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

August 15, Cmdr. Jeffrey R. Cronin relieved Cmdr. Jeffrey A. Ward as the 11th CO of Ashland.

December 17, The Ashland pulled into Naval Station Norfolk, where will be moored for the remainder of the year, after a three-month Planned Maintenance Availability (PMA) at the Earl Industries shipyard in Portsmouth, Va.

April 25, 2009 LSD 48 is currently participating in the 50th annual multi-national UNITAS exercise off the coast of Florida.

October 31, The Ashland is currently underway for a COMPTUEX 10-2, as part of the USS Nassau ARG and 24th MEU.

January 18, 2010 USS Ashland departed Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story for a scheduled Middle East deployment.

January 23, The dock landing ship arrived off the coast of Haiti in support of Operation Unified Response; Moored at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for a brief stop to onload more than 200 pallets of humanitarian aid and supplies, on Feb. 1.

February 19, The Ashland departed Naval Station Rota, Spain, after a brief port call; Transited the Suez Canal southbound on Feb. 26.

March 19, USS Ashland recently departed Khalifa Bin Salman Port in Hidd, Bahrain, after a routine port call.

March 22, The Ashland arrived off the coast of Djibouti to offload Marines and equipment for a training exercises with the French military.

April 9, Cmdr. Scott B. Curtis relieved Cmdr. Jeffrey R. Cronin as CO of the Ashland during an at-sea change-of-command ceremony on board the ship.

April 10, The Ashland captured six pirates after being attacked by small-arms fire in the Gulf of Aden, at 5 a.m. local time, about 330 n.m. off the coast of Djibouti.

June 21, The dock landing ship moored at Aqaba Naval Base, Jordan, for a routine port call; Transited the Suez Canal northbound on July 18; Anchored off Bodrum, Turkey, from July 20-2?.

August 15, USS Ashland returned to Little Creek following a seven-month deployment.

February 9, 2011 The Ashland is currently in dry dock at Metro Machine Corporation in Norfolk for a mid-life extension work that includes normal repair and refurbishment, as well as major alterations to several ship systems. Improvements to the ship’s diesel engines, onboard networks, engineering control systems, and power management, and improved capacity for air conditioning and chilled water distribution are being made. The biggest long-term change, however, will involve the replacement of high-maintenance steam systems with all-electric functionality. Work is planned for completion by January 25, 2012.

October 27, Capt. Ryan B. Scholl relieved Cmdr. Scott B. Curtis as CO of the Ashland during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ex-USS Wisconsin (BB 64) at the Nauticus Museum in downtown Norfolk.

July 13, 2012 USS Ashland recently returned to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story.

September 10, The Ashland departed homeport for sea trials after a 20-month Extended Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (E-DSRA) at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard (ex-Metro Machine).

July 2, 2013 The dock landing ship anchored in Cristobal Harbor, Panama, for a brief stop before commencing Panama Canal transit. Inport Vasco Nunez de Balboa Naval Base in Panama from July 3-4; Moored at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., from July 12-15; Inport Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from July 22-24.

August 6, USS Ashland, commanded by Cmdr. Brett C. Hershman, arrived in its new homeport of Fleet Activities Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan, after a 40-day transit from Little Creek, Va.

August 23, Cmdr. John J. Barnett took command of the Ashland during an exchange of command and crew ("hull swap") ceremony with the USS Tortuga (LSD 46).

September 20, The Ashland returned to Sasebo after a 12-day underway for routine training.

October 5, The Ashland moored at Berth 7 in Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, for a training availability (TRAV). Underway on Oct. 23; Returned home on Oct. 26 after a 24-day underway.

November 14, USS Ashland departed Sasebo to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster support to Philippines, in the wake of a deadly Super Typhoon Haiyan.

November 15, The dock landing ship moored at White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan, for a two-day port call to onload supplies and Marines from 31st MEU.

November 20, LSD 48 arrived in the vicinity of Tacloban, Republic of the Philippines, in support of Operation Damayan. Departed Philippines on Nov. 30; Offload in Okinawa from Dec. 3-4; Returned home on Dec. 6.

January 17, 2014 Cmdr. Douglas A. Patterson relieved Cmdr. John J. Barnett as the 16th CO of Ashland during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship at Naval Base Sasebo.

February 19, USS Ashland departed Fleet Activities Sasebo for an annual Spring Patrol as part of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) ARG.

February 22, The Ashland moored at White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, for a four-day port call to conduct onload before participating in Blue/Green workups. Inport White Beach again from March 24-25.

April 1, USS Ashland moored at Container Terminal in Port of Gwangyang, Republic of Korea, for a brief stop to onload six M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks. The ship is currently participating in annual combined exercise Ssang Yong, off the coast of Pohang; Backload off Pohang from April 10-11; Inport White Beach for offload from April 18-2?; Returned home for a two-week upkeep on April 25.

May 9, USS Ashland departed Sasebo to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise.

May 20, The Ashland moored at Berth 4, Chuk Samet Port in Sattahip, Thailand, for a three-day port call before participating in at-sea phase of CARAT 2014.

May 24, The U.S. Department of Defense announced it had canceled ongoing military exercises with Thailand as a result of the military coup in the Southeast Asian country.

May 31, USS Ashland anchored off Kuantan, Malaysia, to offload Landing Force Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (LFCARAT) elements.

June 1, LSD 48 moored at Changi Naval Base in Singapore for a routine port call. Anchored off Kuantan again for the amphibious phase of CARAT Malaysia on June 6; Departed Kuantan on June 19.

June 24, The Ashland anchored off Palawan for offload in support of CARAT Philippines. Inport Subic Bay from June 26-28 and June 30- July 1.

July 9, USS Ashland moored at Berth 7, India Basin after a two-month underway period.

December 4, The Ashland departed Fleet Activities Sasebo for a six-day underway to conduct sea trials after a four-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA).

February 26, 2015 USS Ashland departed Berth 6, India Basin for an annual Spring Patrol as part of the BHR ARG.

March 4, The dock landing ship moored at Army Pier, White Beach Naval Facility for a two-day port call to onload Marines and equipment before conducting Amphibious Integration Training (AIT) and Certification Exercise (CERTEX).

March 28, USS Ashland anchored off Pohang, Republic of Korea, to participate in amphibious landing exercise Ssang Yong 2015; Moored again at Army Pier, Okinawa, for offload from April 4-7; Returned to Sasebo on April 10.

May 26, Cmdr. Daniel P. Duhan relieved Cmdr. Douglas A. Patterson as CO of the Ashland during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship at Berth 6, India Basin.

June 3, USS Ashland departed Sasebo for a Summer Patrol as part of the USS Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG).

June 6, LSD 48 moored at Army Pier, White Beach Naval Facility for a brief port call to conduct onload; Transited the Makassar Strait southbound on June 20; Transited the Lombok Strait on June 21.

June 25, USS Ashland moored at Berth 1 in Port of Bunbury, Australia, for a five-day liberty visit, the first by U.S. Navy warship after more than a 12 years.

July 8, The Ashland commenced an Amphibious Assault Vehicle (AAV) exercise in Admiralty Gulf in support of a biennial exercise Talisman Sabre 2015; Anchored off Darwin for backload from July 25-27.

August 3, USS Ashland moored at Uniform Wharf in Apra Harbor, Guam, for a four-day port visit.

August 8, The Ashland moored at Port of Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, for a brief port call to assist in the recovery effort after the island was hit by Typhoon Soudelor on Sunday.

August 10, The dock landing ship anchored in Apra Harbor to onload supplies and machinery to help disaster relief efforts; Inport Saipan again on Aug. 11.

August 14, USS Ashland emergency sortied from Saipan due to approaching Tropical Depression 16W; Inport Apra Harbor from Aug. 15-17; Brief stop in Saipan on Aug. 19.

August 20, The Ashland moored at Echo Fueling Pier in Apra Harbor for a brief stop to refuel; Inport Saipan for backload from Aug. 22-23; Inport White Beach, Okinawa, for offload from Aug. 27-30.

September 2, USS Ashland moored at Berth 6, India Basin in Fleet Activities Sasebo after a three-month patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet AoR.

October 21, LSD 48 departed Sasebo en route to Yokosuka for INSURV Preps; Moored at Berth 12, Fleet Activities Yokosuka from Oct. 23- Nov. 16; Returned home on Nov. 20; Underway for INSURV assessment from Dec. 9-10.

January 26, 2016 USS Ashland departed Sasebo for an annual Spring Patrol as part of the BHR ARG; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor from Jan. 26-27.

January 28, The Ashland moored at Navy Pier, White Beach Naval Facility for a two-day port call to onload Marines and equipment; Entered the Gulf of Thailand on Feb. 4.

February 5, USS Ashland moored at West Quay, Chuk Samet Port in Sattahip, Thailand, to participate in annual U.S./Thai exercise Cobra Gold 16; Underway for at-sea phase from Feb. 10-18; Inport Sattahip again from Feb. 18-21; Anchored off Sattahip for backload on Feb. 21; Departed South China Sea on Feb. 27.?

March 3, USS Ashland moored at Berth 2 on Busan Naval Base, Republic of Korea, for a four-day port visit. The ship recently joined the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) ESG-7.

March 10, The Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/5, 31st MEU, embarked aboard the Ashland, conducted an amphibious assault rehearsal at Dogu Beach, while the ship was anchored off Pohang, ROK, for participation in annual combined exercise Ssang-Yong 2016.

March 13, The Ashland moored at Container Terminal in Port of Gwangyang, Republic of Korea, for a brief port call to embark Marines and M1A1 Abrams, from the 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Marine Division, in preparation for the Assault Follow-On Echelon (AFOE) portion of SY16; Anchored off Pohang again from March 15-18.

March 21, USS Ashland recently moored at Army Pier, White Beach Naval Facility for a brief port call to conduct offload; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor on March 25; Moored at Berth 6, India Basin on March 26.

May 21, USS Ashland departed Fleet Activities Sasebo to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2016; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor from May 21-22; Moored at Navy Pier, White Beach Naval Facility for onload from May 23-24.

May 29, The Ashland commenced offload of Marines and vehicles at the Kampung Tanduo beach in Sabah, Borneo, in support of CARAT Malaysia; Participated in a multilateral training activity in the Sulu Sea, with the Philippine Navy ships, on June 4.

June 7, Marines, assigned to Easy Co, BLT 2/2 and currently embarked aboard the LSD 48, participated in amphibous landing exercise at Inagawan Beach, Palawan, in support of CARAT Philippines.

June 15, USS Ashland moored at Berth 4, Chuk Samet Port in Sattahip, Thailand, for a four-day port visit to participate in the next phase of CARAT.

June 24, The Ashland moored at Berth 5, Changi Naval Base in Singapore for a three-day port visit; Moored at Navy Pier, White Beach Naval Facility for offload from July 4-6; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor on July 7.

July 8, USS Ashland moored at Berth 3, Juliet Basin Wharf on Fleet Activities Sasebo following a seven-week patrol; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor for well deck certification on July 19; Moved "dead-stick" from India Basin to Berth 1, Juliet Basin Wharf on Aug. 1.

January 17, 2017 USS Ashland departed Sasebo for sea trials following a five-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA).

February 3, Cmdr. Steven H. Wasson relieved Cmdr. Daniel P. Duhan as the 18th CO of Ashland during a change-of-command ceremony on board the ship at Berth 1, Juliet Basin Wharf.

March 3, USS Ashland departed Juliet Basin Wharf for a routine Spring Patrol as part of the USS Bonhomme Richard ARG.

March 5, The Ashland moored at Army Pier, White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan, for a three-day onload; Moored at Navy Pier from March 16-20; Moored at Berth 6, India Basin in Sasebo on March 22; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor for ammo onload from May 19-20.?

May 26, USS Ashland departed Sasebo for a routine patrol as part of the USS Bonhomme Richard ESG-7; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor from May 26-27.

June 5, LSD 48 moored at Army Pier in White Beach, Okinawa, for a four-day port call to conduct onload; Transited the Jomard Strait southbound on June 22.

June 28, The Ashland moored at Northshore Hamilton Wharf in Brisbane, Australia, for a five-day liberty port visit before participating in a biennial exercise Talisman Sabre 2017.

July 28, USS Ashland moored at Wharf 1/2 in Port of Cairns, Australia, for a four-day liberty visit.

August 29, The dock landing ship moored at Uniform Wharf in Apra Harbor, Guam, for a 16-day voyage repair availability (VRAV); Moored at Navy Pier, White Beach Naval Facility for offload from Sept. 19-23; Moored at Navy Pier again for INSURV preparations from Sept. 26-27.

October 2, USS Ashland moored at Berth 12, Fleet Activities Yokosuka for an 18-day training availability (TRAV) after a one-day underway in Sagami Wan; Anchored at Yokosuka's A-12 for a brief stop on Oct. 20.

October 25, The Ashland rescued two American mariners, 900 miles southeast of Japan, who had been in distress for several months after their sailboat had a motor failure and had strayed well off its original course while traversing from Hawaii to Tahiti.

October 30, The Ashland moored again at Navy Pier, White Beach Naval Facility for a one-day port call in preparation for amphibious training exercise Blue Chromite, with the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment; Moored at Navy Pier for a brief stop on Nov. 4; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor on Nov. 6; Underway for INSURV rehearsal on Nov. 7.

November 8, USS Ashland moored at Berth 6, India Basin in Fleet Activities Sasebo following a five-and-a-half month patrol.

March 8, 2018 USS Ashland departed Sasebo for a routine Spring Patrol, as part of the USS Wasp (LHD 1) Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) 7, in the U.S. 7th Fleet AoR; Anchored at A-39 in Sasebo Harbor for ammo onload from March 8-9; Anchored at A-35 from March 11-13.

March 14, The Ashland made a brief stop off White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan; Moored at Army Pier for onload from March 15-19.

From March 27-28, the Ashland was anchored off White Beach after participated in Amphibious Integration Training (AIT) off the coast of Camp Schwab, Okinawa; Transited the Korean Strait northbound, to participate in amphibious landing exercise Ssang Yong 2018, on March 30; Transited southbound on April 9.

April 18, LSD 48 anchored off White Beach Naval Facility, on Wednesday evening, after participated in Certification Exercise (CERTEX) off the coast of Camp Schwab; Underway on April 19; Moored at Army Pier for offload from April 20-23.

April 24, USS Ashland moored at Berth 6, India Basin in Fleet Activities Sasebo following a seven-week patrol.

July 6, The Ashland recently departed homeport for a Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) preparations; Underway in Sagami Wan from July 8-9; Returned home on July 1?; Day-long underway for INSURV assessment on July 25; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor from Aug. 2-3.

August 6, USS Ashland, commanded by Cmdr. Patrick L. German, departed Fleet Activities Sasebo for a routine Fall Patrol, as part of the USS Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

August 12, The Ashland moored at Army Pier on White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, for a three-day onload; Completed Amphibious Integration Training (AIT) and Certification Exercise (CERTEX), off the coast of Camp Schwab, on Sept. 4.

September 29, USS Ashland moored at Alava Pier in Subic Bay, Republic of the Phillipines, for a four-day port call before participating in amphibious training exercise KAMANDAG 2, with the Philippine Marines and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB); Moored at Alava Pier again from Oct. 10-16.

October 21, The dock landing ship moored at Army Pier on White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, for a three-day offload.

October 29, The Ashland moored at Army Pier again for a one-day port call to embark the equipment and Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 3, for Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Response (HA/DR) operations in the wake of Typhoon Yutu; Arrived off the coast of Tinian, Northern Mariana Islands, on Nov. 3.

November 6, USS Ashland anchored in Apra Harbor, Guam, to onload 18 heavy equipment vehicles, assigned to the 1224th Engineering Support Company, Guam Army National Guard, for transport to Saipan; Moored at Berth 3, Tango Wharf in Naval Base Guam for onload from Nov. 10-11.

November 12, The Ashland arrived off the coast of Saipan to offload heavy equipment from the 9th Mission Support Command, 411th Engineer Brigade; Moored at Naval Base Guam again for onload from Nov. 1?-17; Departed waters near Northern Mariana Islands on Nov. 20; Moored at Army Pier, White Beach Naval Facility from Nov. 24-26.

November 28, USS Ashland moored at Berth 6, India Basin in Fleet Activities Sasebo following a four-month patrol.

January 13, 2019 USS Ashland departed Fleet Activities Sasebo for an annual Spring Patrol, as part of the USS Wasp (LHD 1) ARG; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor for ammo onload from Jan. 13-14.

January 16, LSD 48 moored at Army Pier on White Beach Naval Facility, Okinawa, for a two-day onload; Anchored off White Beach for a brief stop on Feb. 1 and 3rd; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193), in the East China Sea, on Feb. 11 and 15th.

February 23, USS Ashland anchored 1 n.m. off the coast of Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, for a four-day port visit; Transited the Surigao Strait northbound on March 1; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Pecos (T-AO 197) on March 2.

March 5, The Ashland moored at Berth 1, Victor Wharf in Apra Harbor, Guam, for a two-day port visit before participating in a Multi-Sail exercise with the ships from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15; Moored at Naval Base Guam again from March 18-21; Moored at Army Pier, White Beach Naval Facility for offload from March 25-28; Brief stop in Sagami Wan on April 1.

April 4, USS Ashland moored at Berth 1, India Basin in Fleet Activities Sasebo following a three-month patrol.

May 29, The Ashland recently departed Fleet Activities Sasebo for a routine Summer Patrol; Moored at Army Pier, White Beach Naval Facility for onload from May 30- June 2.

June 18, USS Ashland moored at Northshore Hamilton Wharf in Brisbane, Australia, for a four-day port visit before participating in AIT/CERTEX at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, ahead of biennial exercise Talisman Sabre 2019.

July 26, USS Ashland moored at Berth 9 in Port of Townsville, Australia, for a four-day liberty visit; Moored at Army Pier, White Beach Naval Facility for offload from Aug. 13-14; Anchored at A-37 in Sasebo Harbor for ammo offload on Aug. 16.

August 16, USS Ashland moored at Berth 1, Juliet Basin Wharf in Fleet Activities Sasebo following a two-and-a-half month patrol.

October 11, Cmdr. Gorden S. Wells relieved Cmd. Patrick L. German as CO of the Ashland during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

March 19, 2020 The Ashland departed homeport for sea trials following a six-month Selected Restricted Availability (SRA); Anchored at A-39 for ammo onload from March 24-25; Moored at India Basin on March 30; Underway again on April 24; Arrived in Sagami Wan on May 3; Anchored off Yokosuka on May 4.

May 6, USS Ashland moored at Berth 9 on Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a two-week training availability (TRAV); Conducted operations off the coast of Camp Schwab, Okinawa, from May 28-29; Arrived off the west coast of Japan on May 31; Brief stop in Sagami Wan on June 2; Returned home on June 6; Underway again on July ?; Arrived in Sagami Wan, just before midnight, on July 18; Departed Sagami Wan on July 19; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor on July 24.

July 29, USS Ashland recently moored at Berth 1, India Basin in Fleet Activities Sasebo; Emergency sortied due to approaching Typhoon Haishen on Sept. 3; Transited the Korean Strait northbound on Sept. 4; Conducted operations off the coast of Niigata Prefecture on Sept. 8.

From September 16-17, the Ashland conducted operations approximately 50 n.m. east of Pohang, Republic of Korea; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor from Sept. 26- Oct. 3; Transited the Korean Strait northbound, to avoid the approaching Typhoon Chan-hom, on Oct. 7; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor from Oct. 19-21; Arrived off the east coast of Okinawa on Oct. 22.

October 23, LSD 48 moored at Navy Pier on White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan, for a one-day port call; Anchored off White Beach from Nov. 3-5.

November 10, USS Ashland moored at Berth 1, India Basin in Fleet Activities Sasebo following a 10-week patrol.

January 4, 2021 USS Ashland departed Fleet Activities Sasebo for a routine patrol, as part of the USS America (LHA 6) ARG.

January 6, The Ashland conducted deck landing qualifications with two U.S. Army's UH-60L Blackhawks, assigned to the Aviation Battalion - Japan, while underway in Sagami Wan; Moored at Army Pier, White Beach Naval Facility for onload from Jan. 14-18.

February 10, USS Ashland moored again at Army Pier for a four-day port call after completed Amphibious Integration Training (AIT) and Certification Exercise (CERTEX) off the east coast of Okinawa; Moored at X-Ray Wharf in Apra Harbor, Guam, from Feb. 19-23; Participated in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX) with the USS New Orleans (LPD 18), while underway off the coast of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, on Feb. 27.

March 3, USS Ashland moored at X-Ray Wharf in Apra Harbor, Guam, for an 11-day port call before participating in annual Multi-Sail exercise, with the ships from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15.

March 12, Cmdr. Keith J. Tate relieved Cmdr. Gorden S. Wells as the 21st CO of Ashland during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

April 1, USS Ashland moored at Berth 1, India Basin in Fleet Activities Sasebo following a three-month patrol; Underway again on June 4; Moored at Berth 6, India Basin on June ?; Underway again from Nov. 30- Dec. 17.

January 12, 2022 The Ashland anchored in Sasebo Harbor to onload ammunition; Moored at Berth 6, India Basin on Jan. 13; Underway again on Jan. 21.

January 23, USS Ashland recently moored at Navy Pier on White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa for onload; Conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the USNS Yukon (T-AO 202), while underway off the east coast of Okinawa, on Feb. 3.

February 7, USS Ashland participated in a photo exercise (PHOTOEX) with the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) CSG, USS America, USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Dewey (DDG 105), USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5) and JS Kongo (DDG 173), while underway as a "show of force" northeast of Philippines; Moored at General Purpose Wharf in Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, from Feb. 25- March ?; Arrived in Suruga Wan on March 4.

March 9, The Ashland conducted offload at Numazu Beach Training Area in support of Maritime Defense Exercise with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARDB); Moored at Army Pier, White Beach Naval Facility for a brief stop on March 20.

March 22, USS Ashland moored at Rivera Wharf in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, for a scheduled port call before participating in exercise Balikatan 2022; Moored at Rivera Wharf again from April 6-9; Moored at Akasaki Pier in Fleet Activities Sasebo from April 20-2?.

May 10, The Ashland moored at Fort Hill Wharf in Darwin, Australia, for a three-day port visit before participating in exercise Crocodile Response.

May 11, Cmdr. Dirk C. Sonnenberg relieved Cmdr. Keith J. Tate as CO of the Ashland during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the ship.

May 20, USS Ashland moored at Berth 10 in Port of Townsville, Australia, for a week-long visit; Moored at Berth 9 in Port of Townsville, before participating in exercise Sea Explorer, from May 29-31; Inport Townsville again from June 13-15; Anchored in Sasebo Harbor for ammo offload on June 2?.

June 29, USS Ashland moored at Berth 1, Juliet Basin Wharf in Fleet Activities Sasebo following an extended five-month patrol.

October 26, The Ashland moved from Juliet Basin Wharf to Berth 6, India Basin on Fleet Activities Sasebo; Moved to Berth 1, Akasaki Pier on Dec. 2; Moved to Berth 3, Juliet Basin Wharf on Jan. 11; Underway again from Feb. 5-6.

February 15, 2023 USS Ashland departed Fleet Activities Sasebo in support of joint exercise Iron Fist 23; Anchored at A-35 in Sasebo Harbor for ammo onload from Feb. 22-24; Arrived off the east coast of Okinawa on Feb. 2?; Moored at Berth 3, Juliet Basin Wharf on March 15.

March 22, The Ashland departed Sasebo for a homeport change to San Diego; Transited the Osumi Strait eastbound on March 23; Brief stop at Pier H2 to refuel before moored at Pier M2 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on April 4; Underway on April 1?.

April 20, USS Ashland moored at Berth 5, Pier 7 in its new homeport of Naval Base San Diego after forward-deployed to Japan for nearly 10 years; Underway again on May 25.

May 25, USS Ashland moored at Berth 46, Outer Harbor in Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro, Calif., for a five-day visit to participate in annual Fleet Week celebration; Moored at Wharf 311 in Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach for ammo offload from May 30- June 2; Returned home on June 3; Moved to Berth 6, Pier 6 on Sept. 15.