Keel Laid: January 8, 1969
Launched: January 8, 1970
Commissioned: January 16, 1971

Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, VA.
Propulsion system: Two boilers, one geared turbine, one 
shaft; 22,000 horsepower
Length, overall: 634 feet (190 meters)
Beam: 108 feet (32.9 meters) 
Draft: 26 9" feet (8.8 meters)
Displacement: 18.874 tons full load
Speed: 23 knots
Crew: 184 active-duty Navy and 146 civilian mariners
Aircraft: All helicopters except the CH-53 Sea Stallion can 
be carried
Armament: 
 - 2 MK 15 MOD 2 Close-in-Weapons Systems (CIWS)
 - 2 MK 38 MOD 2 25mm Machine Gun System (MGS)
 - .50 cal machine gun mounts
Homeport: Gaeta, Italy