NORFOLK, Va. — In honor of Veterans Day, the Amphibious Transport Dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17) will participate in New York City’s (NYC) annual Veterans Day celebrations, Nov. 9 – 13.

The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio transits the Gulf of Aden to serve as command ship for Combined Task Force 151. The task force conducts counter-piracy operations in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea and was established to create a lawful maritime order and develop security in the maritime environment.

Sailors and Marines aboard San Antonio will participate in a variety of events in and around the city to honor the service and sacrifice of the nation’s veterans. Events include the annual NYC Veterans Day Parade, a wreath laying ceremony, volunteering at the NY State Veterans Home in Queens, and participation in other community relations events.

“We are honored to be in New York City for Veterans Week and look forward to engaging with the local community during our visit,” said Capt. Matt Gleason, commanding officer of San Antonio. “This ship visit provides an outstanding opportunity for the crew to experience the tremendous culture and historical sights that make New York one of the greatest cities in the word.”

San Antonio returned to homeport in Norfolk Oct.16 following two deployments over the past 14
months. “I am in awe of the efforts San Antonio’s crew and embarked Marines gave during our back to back deployments,” said Gleason. “My heartfelt thanks go out to the families and friends of this crew for supporting their dedicated loved ones”.

During the deployment, San Antonio provided disaster relief following two earthquakes in Venezuela. Operating near the epicenter in La Guaira, the ship served as the afloat command-andcontrol center for the U.S. Southern Command Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief element.

Following a brief logistics stop in Ponce, Puerto Rico, San Antonio sailed to the Pacific, marking a historic milestone as the first amphibious transport dock since 2018 to transit the Panama Canal, and the first of its class to pass through the expanded Neo-Panamax locks.

In the Eastern Pacific, the crew shifted to security and maritime interdiction operations under Joint Task Force Western Hemisphere. These actions systematically disrupted the supply networks of transnational narco-trafficking organization, with all detained personnel safely transferred to the Ecuadorian Coast Guard.

San Antonio is a versatile, amphibious transport dock capable of embarking, transporting, and landing elements of a landing force. As the first in class of amphibious transport docks equipped with an expansive well deck and flight capabilities, San Antonio is designed to support expeditionary warfare, special operations, and humanitarian mission. By leveraging its landing craft and tilt-rotor aircraft capabilities, San Antonio can project power and deliver combat-ready Marines directly to shore in complex operational environments.

The crew of more than 400 Sailors and 100 Marines will arrive at Pier 88 in Manhattan at approximately noon, Monday, Nov. 9. The ship will be open for public visitation Tuesday. Nov. 10 and Thursday, Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Government identification is required for entry. The last time San Antonio visited NYC was May 2015 for Fleet Week New York.

From courtesy story, 28 October 2026