Amphibious U.S. warship to be named for battles in Iraq War

An amphibious U.S. warship set to begin construction this month will be the first naval vessel to be christened after a post-9/11 battle.

The USS Fallujah, a 45,000-metric-ton warship with amphibious capabilities, is slated for construction in Mississippi, according to Defense One.

Two battles that took place in 2004 during the second Iraq War inspired the soon-to-be name of the vessel currently designated LHA-9.

Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said in a speech announcing the vessel's name that "[t]his namesake deserves to be in the pantheon of iconic Marine Corps battles, and the LHA’s unique capabilities will serve as a stark reminder to everyone around the world of the bravery, the courage, and commitment to freedom displayed by those who fought in those battles."

The Second Battle of Fallujah, which concluded in December 2004, saw a U.S.-led coalition liberate the Iraqi city from insurgent forces in what became one of the bloodiest operations of the conflict.

A Navy press release described the operation as "the bloodiest engagement of the Iraq War and the fiercest urban combat involving U.S. Marines since the Vietnam War’s Battle of Hue City," per the outlet.

The Navy has not yet announced a completion date for the warship.