USS New Orleans fire off Okinawa; US and Japan crews battle blaze aboard Navy warship
A US Navy amphibious transport dock ship, the USS New Orleans (LPD-18), caught fire off the coast of Uruma City, Okinawa, on Wednesday evening(August 20), prompting a large joint firefighting response from US and Japanese forces.
The incident occurred at around 5 pm local time (4 am ET) while the San Antonio-class vessel was anchored near White Beach Naval Facility, a key logistics hub for US Marine Corps operations on the island, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. Video aired by NHK showed heavy smoke rising from the bow as tugboats on either side blasted water onto the vessel.
The US Navy’s 7th Fleet confirmed the fire and said crews were actively responding. According to the Breaking Defense website, “Crews are responding to a fire aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18) this evening, Aug 20, which is in the vicinity of Okinawa, Japan. We will provide more details as they become available,” a Navy spokesperson said in a statement .
A US defense official later told The War Zone and Business Insider that the blaze had been contained, though firefighting operations were ongoing and it was unclear when the fire would be fully extinguished. No injuries have been reported, and no evacuation order was issued.
The Japan Coast Guard confirmed that Camp Foster, a US Marine Corps base on Okinawa, notified authorities of the fire at 5 pm and requested assistance. In a written release cited by Stars and Stripes, officials said, “The crew is currently engaged in firefighting efforts, but we have requested the Japan Coast Guard to assist with the firefighting.”
Japanese Self-Defense Force vessels and Coast Guard patrol boats joined US Navy firefighting tugs in tackling the flames. Photos published by Japanese media and US military outlets showed coordinated operations as crews worked from the sea to keep the fire under control.
Commissioned in 2007, the USS New Orleans is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock designed to carry Marines, landing craft, and aircraft for expeditionary operations. It is homeported in Sasebo, Japan, and assigned to the US 7th Fleet, the Navy’s forward-deployed force in the Indo-Pacific. White Beach, where the incident occurred, serves as a staging area for Marines and equipment, enabling rapid deployment across the region.
As of Wednesday evening local time, the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage remain under investigation. The Navy has not disclosed which part of the ship was affected. Officials emphasized that no hazardous material leaks or oil spills were detected, and no injuries have been reported among the crew or responders.
The incident recalls previous high-profile shipboard fires in the Navy, including the devastating 2020 blaze aboard USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego, though officials stressed that it is too early to draw comparisons.
The fire comes at a sensitive time in the Indo-Pacific, where US forces regularly conduct joint training and deterrence operations with allies. While the Navy has not indicated that the incident will affect operational readiness, the New Orleans is an important asset for amphibious missions and disaster relief in the region.
The incident occurred at around 5 pm local time (4 am ET) while the San Antonio-class vessel was anchored near White Beach Naval Facility, a key logistics hub for US Marine Corps operations on the island, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. Video aired by NHK showed heavy smoke rising from the bow as tugboats on either side blasted water onto the vessel.
Contained but not extinguished
The US Navy’s 7th Fleet confirmed the fire and said crews were actively responding. According to the Breaking Defense website, “Crews are responding to a fire aboard USS New Orleans (LPD 18) this evening, Aug 20, which is in the vicinity of Okinawa, Japan. We will provide more details as they become available,” a Navy spokesperson said in a statement .
A US defense official later told The War Zone and Business Insider that the blaze had been contained, though firefighting operations were ongoing and it was unclear when the fire would be fully extinguished. No injuries have been reported, and no evacuation order was issued.
Joint US-Japan response
The Japan Coast Guard confirmed that Camp Foster, a US Marine Corps base on Okinawa, notified authorities of the fire at 5 pm and requested assistance. In a written release cited by Stars and Stripes, officials said, “The crew is currently engaged in firefighting efforts, but we have requested the Japan Coast Guard to assist with the firefighting.”
Japanese Self-Defense Force vessels and Coast Guard patrol boats joined US Navy firefighting tugs in tackling the flames. Photos published by Japanese media and US military outlets showed coordinated operations as crews worked from the sea to keep the fire under control.
What is USS New Orleans?
Commissioned in 2007, the USS New Orleans is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock designed to carry Marines, landing craft, and aircraft for expeditionary operations. It is homeported in Sasebo, Japan, and assigned to the US 7th Fleet, the Navy’s forward-deployed force in the Indo-Pacific. White Beach, where the incident occurred, serves as a staging area for Marines and equipment, enabling rapid deployment across the region.
As of Wednesday evening local time, the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage remain under investigation. The Navy has not disclosed which part of the ship was affected. Officials emphasized that no hazardous material leaks or oil spills were detected, and no injuries have been reported among the crew or responders.
The incident recalls previous high-profile shipboard fires in the Navy, including the devastating 2020 blaze aboard USS Bonhomme Richard in San Diego, though officials stressed that it is too early to draw comparisons.
The fire comes at a sensitive time in the Indo-Pacific, where US forces regularly conduct joint training and deterrence operations with allies. While the Navy has not indicated that the incident will affect operational readiness, the New Orleans is an important asset for amphibious missions and disaster relief in the region.
