Decommissioning and Replacement
The Tarawas began leaving service in 2005. By 2011, four of the five amphibious assault ships had been decommissioned, leaving only Peleliu in active service.
The Tarawa class is to be replaced by the America class amphibious assault ship. The first America class vessel is scheduled to be delivered in 2013. Originally, four were planned (with the Wasp class USS Makin Island built as a direct replacement for Belleau Wood), but the number has since been reduced.
Read more about this topic: Tarawa Class Amphibious Assault Ship
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