SASEBO —

The USS Juneau arrived in Sasebo on Thursday, marking the official beginning of her “hull swap” with the USS Denver. The Juneau’s crew, and their families, will remain in Sasebo but will transfer to the Denver, which will remain forward deployed in Japan. Denver is a similar Austin Class amphibious transport dock (LPD) only modernized to provide greater capability to the forward deployed naval fleet (FDNF).

The first hull swap ever conducted by the U.S. Navy was conducted in Sasebo with the Juneau taking the place of the USS Dubuque in 1999. Since then, three hull swaps have been conducted in Sasebo. This practice allows the Navy to change the forward deployed ship, while allowing the crew to remain in the same duty station.

The official change of command will be held on July 10. The Denver’s crew will sail with the Juneau back to the United States once the swap is complete.

4 Comments

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  KyouNoNippon at 03:54 PM JST - 27th June

  If the hull was made of diamonds, you would not need a hull swap. Because diamonds are the hardest thing ever.

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  nandakandamanda at 04:33 PM JST - 27th June

  What a confusing article.

  The USS Juneau arrived from... where? If the Denver will 'remain forward deployed in Japan' (?), where is it now?

  Such a simple exercise to explain, but what a lot of words. Leaves my brain spinning...

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  USNinJapan2 at 07:02 PM JST - 27th June

  nandakandamanda

  USS Juneau was in San Diego until 1999 before Sasebo. USS Denver was in San Diego until now. USS Juneau will return to San Diego after the hull swap is complete and will be decommissioned. USS Denver will remain forward deployed in Sasebo until she in turn will be relieved by the next ship. Hope that's clearer...

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  nandakandamanda at 11:54 AM JST - 28th June

  USNinJapan, thanks for the clarification! Phew! Yes, much better.

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