Whidbey Island deployed from Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base, on what would likely be her final deployment. She conducted eight Theater Security Port Visits; country visits vital to reassuring host nations of the commitment of the United States to their partnership. On 21 July 2016 Whidbey Island transited the Bosphorus Strait during a time of tension following the failed 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt. 2020 In December 2020 the U.S. Navy's Report to Congress on the Annual Long-Range Plan for Construction of Naval Vessels stated that the ship was planned to be placed Out of Commission in Reserve in 2022. 2022 Whidbey Island was decommissioned during a ceremony at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, Virginia on 22 July 2022. She was towed to the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by the in August 2022 and is moored across the basin from her sister ship, ex-Fort McHenry. Ship's coat of arms The dark blue and white colors refer to the sea, with the angular green area, representing the evergreen terrain of Whidbey Island, backed by blue sky. The color gold is symbolic of excellence, and the ship's wheel of gold reflects the seagoing pride and professionalism of the ship's crew. The green Maltese Cross refers to the humanitarian mission of the USS Whidbey (AG 141), the first ship to carry the name Whidbey. The gold crown emblazoned on red at the center of the wheel recalls the expedition under the British Crown, which explored the Pacific Northwest in the 1790s. The island in these waters is named for Lieutenant Joseph Whidbey, who was a member of this English expedition. The crossed swords of the Navy and Marine Corps officers attest to the Navy Marine Corps teamwork and leadership that are the foundation and key elements for accomplishment of Whidbey Island's amphibious warfare mission. The trident is the traditional symbol of sea power; however, the winged trident of LSD-41 further represents the revolutionary dimension of amphibious warfare this ship introduces. The gold and red colors of the winged trident portray the excellence and courage of those who will man the ship. The wreath of Western Hemlock, the State Tree of Washington, represents the spirit of the ship's namesake. References External links USS Whidbey Island official website USS WHIDBEY ISLAND's Newly revised website (still in progress) Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships Cold War amphibious warfare vessels