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LPD 17 underway after mechanical problems

The amphibious transport dock San Antonio got underway on its first deployment Thursday morning, two days after a problem with its stern gate forced the troubled ship to stay behind in Norfolk, Va.,, while other ships deployed.

The problem was discovered Sunday night, and involved a mechanical failure in a ram cylinder piston that controls the ship’s stern gate, said Capt. Brian Smith, commander of Amphibious Squadron 4.

San Antonio will join the remaining ships of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group, which includes the dock landing ship Carter Hall, cruiser Vella Gulf and destroyers Ramage and Roosevelt. The flotilla will transport members of the Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit for its scheduled deployment.

About 1,700 MEU Marines were bused up to Norfolk to leave with the ships, which are heading to North Carolina to load their vehicles, aircraft and other cargo. Those who didn’t leave aboard Iwo Jima and Carter Hall were forced to stay behind until San Antonio was deemed ready to deploy.