Between July 22nd and 26th, 2022, the Austin-class amphibious transport dock-ship USS Denver (LPD 9) was slowly executed by U.S. and Japanese air and ground launched ‘firing squads’, more than 50 nautical miles north of Kauai, Hawaii, during wargame RimPac (Rim of the Pacific) 2022. Dramatic U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Andre T. Richard:
The ground forces of the United States and Japan used Type 12 anti-ship missiles, as well as missiles launched by HIMARS.
F/A-18 Hornet takes off from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, armed with a Harpoon anti-ship missile. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Corporal Haley Fourmet Gustavsen, 22JUL2022.
The U.S. Navy (USN) used Hornets and Super Hornets to launch a variety of missiles while the U.S. Army used AH-64 Apache gunships to launch Hellfire anti-tank missiles, and the Marines used their AH-1Z Viper (Cobra) gunships.
AH-1Z leaves Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe, Hawaii. USMC photo by Lance Corporal Tyler Andrews, 22JUL2022.
USS Chafee (DDG 90) fires upon LPD-9 with its Mark 45 gun, the night of 22JUL2022. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Gwendelyn L. Ohrazda.
The USN’s guided-missile destroyer USS Chaffee (DDG 90) joined in by making pot-shots with its Mark 45, 5-inch gun. The violent end to a long serving ship was part of something called a Sinking Exercise (SinkEx), and was overseen by officers of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
LPD 9 illuminated by flares fired by DDG 90, 22JUL2022. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Gwendelyn L. Ohrazda.
LPD 9 being towed to its execution, 20JUL2022. U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Quentin Todd.
U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Quentin Todd, LPD 9 towed out to sea to serve as a target, 20JUL2022:
LPD 9 was the second USN ship sunk during this year’s RimPac:
LIFE & VIOLENT DEATH OF USS RODNEY M. DAVIS
LPD 9’s keel was laid down on 07FEB1964, launched on 23JAN1965, commissioned on 26OCT1968.
Good Bye Japan, final voyage for LPD 9 as it heads back home to Hawaii, for decommissioning. USN photo by Mass Communications Specialist Seaman Cameron McCulloch, 23JUL2014.
LPD 9 was decommissioned on 14AUG2014. There were reports that the ship would be sold to Malaysia, but that obviously did not happen. U.S. Navy video/interviews, by Petty Officer Second Class Jerome Johnson, of decommissioning:
Department of Defense report:
Final wargame for LPD 9, off the coast of Korea, as part of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), 27MAR2014. photo by Mass Communication Specialist Second Class Michael Achterling.
In 2014, LPD 9 was the oldest ship in the U.S. Navy inventory. USN video, by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Bradley J. Gee, of an old World War Two era LCU backing out of the ‘well deck’ of LPD 9, March 2014:
02AUG2013, USNS Yukon (T-AO 202), resupplies LPD 9. In July 2000, Yukon and LPD 9 collided, causing major damage but no injuries to the crew. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Edward Guttierrez the Third.
Automatic boiler control. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Joshua Hammond, 26JUL2013.
Throttle control. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist First Class Joshua Hammond, 26JUL2013.
Somewhere in the Philippine Sea, 23SEP2012. LPD 9 was part of the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) ARG. USN photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Lacordrick Wilson.
West Army Pier in Okinawa, Japan. USN photo by Petty Officer Second Class Spencer Mickler, 23SEP2011.
Somewhere in the East China Sea, while part of the USS Essex (LHD 2) ARG. USN photo by Petty Officer Third Class Andrew Ryan Smith, 08SEP2010.
2010 USN video report, LPD 9 suffered rudder damage:
U.S. Marines return to LPD 9, during their humanitarian response mission after the Sumatran earthquakes, 16OCT2009. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sergeant Rodolfo Toro.
MH-53E Sea Dragon lands on LPD 9, during humanitarian response to Typhoon Morakot, 19AUG2009.
Somewhere off the coast of California, 24JUN1997. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Jeff Viano.
A CH-46 Sea Knight lands aboard LPD 9, for more humanitarian supplies destine for Somalia, 14FEB1994. USN photo by Journalist Chief Petty Officer Millie J. Tamberg.
A UH-1N Iroquois (Huey) prepares to take-off from LPD 9 during humanitarian mission in Somalia, 14FEB1994. USN photo by Journalist Chief Petty Officer Millie J. Tamberg.
RimPac 1990.
Somewhere off the coast of California, 31MAY1986. USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Grzezdzinski.
31MAY1986, USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Grzezdzinski.
31MAY1986, USN photo by Photographer’s Mate Second Class Grzezdzinski.
Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean, 27JUN1985.
LPD 9 was reportedly the last USN ship to serve in Viet Nam, during the U.S. involvement in that Cold War conflict, helping to evacuate Vietnamese, and Cambodians, who did not want to be part of the communist system (called Operation Frequent Wind/Eagle Pull/New Life/Helping Hand). Very short piece of film of Operation Frequent Wind, which took place from April to May 1975:
Ode to LHD 6: 
SHORT LIFE OF USS BONHOMME RICHARD
