Name Castilla Ordered 1991 Commissioned 29 June 2000 Beam 25 m Launched 14 June 1999 Weight 13,000 tons | Namesake Castilla Laid down May 1997 Homeport Naval Station Rota Construction started May 1997 Length 160 m Builder Navantia | |
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Castilla (L52) is a Galicia-class landing platform dock (LPD), and is the ship number 12th in this name. She is the sister ship to amphibious warfare vessel Galicia.
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Humanitarian missions
On 28 October 2004, Castilla deployed to Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, and delivered some Marines.
Castilla participated in the NATO exercise Operation Loyal Mariner 2005, as the flagship of the sea elements.
Spain sends Castilla to New Orleans as part of NATO's Hurricane Katrina relief operation in Louisiana, in mid-September 2005.
Castilla participated in the NATO exercise Operation Brilliant Mariner 2006, as the flagship of the sea elements.
Castilla participated in the NATO exercise Operation Steadfast Jackpot 2006.
Castilla is dispatched to help in Haiti earthquake relief, after the 12 January 2010 quake, as part of Operación Hispaniola, on 22 January 2010.
Operación Hispaniola
Spain dispatched Castilla to aid in relief efforts after the 7.0 magnitude 12 January 2010 Haiti earthquake.
The mission was announced on 19 January 2010, with the ship transporting a field hospital, 50 medical officers, 450 troops. Also on board are three helicopters, and several fast boats.
Castilla left Rota on 22 January 2010, carrying 423 troops, and 4 helicopters, headed for Petit-Goâve, Haiti.
On 1 February 2010, Castilla arrives at San Juan in Puerto Rico to pick up additional supplies.
On 4 February 2010, Castilla arrives at Petit-Goâve.
As of 5 February 2010, landing craft from the ship have started disgorging equipment.
Castilla is expected to remain on-station at Petit-Goâve for three months.
Rescue missions
On 10 May 2010, the Castilla was tasked to assist the motor yacht Sagamar, with its 33-year-old injured crew member. The team from Castilla successfully extracted the injured, began medical treatment and disembarked him in the Azores for further medical treatment.