The vessels are also equipped with a stern gate to allow the unloading of amphibious vehicles directly into the water or to unload onto a utility landing craft (LCU) or pier. At either end of the tank deck there is a turntable that permits vehicles to turn around without having to reverse. The Newport class has the capacity for of vehicles, of cargo area and could carry up to 431 troops. The vessels also have davits for four vehicle and personnel landing craft (LCVPs) and could carry four pontoon causeway sections along the sides of the hull. Tuscaloosa was initially armed with four Mark 33 /50 caliber guns in two twin turrets. The vessel was equipped with two Mk 63 gun control fire systems (GCFS) for the 3-inch guns, but these were removed in 1977–1978. The ship also had SPS-10 surface search radar. Atop the stern gate, the vessels mounted a helicopter deck. They had a maximum complement of 213 including 11 officers. Construction and career The LST was ordered as the last of the second group in Fiscal Year 1966 on 15 July 1966. The ship was laid down on 23 November 1968 by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company at their yard in San Diego, California. Named for a city in Alabama, Tuscaloosa was launched on 6 September 1969, sponsored by the wife of Vice-Admiral Thomas F. Connolly. The LST was commissioned on 24 October 1970. 1970s Tuscaloosa was assigned to the United States Pacific Fleet and spent the remainder of the year performing routine missions along the West Coast of the United States. On 18 May 1971, the LST departed San Diego for a deployment to the Western Pacific (WestPac) loaded with sections of Quonset huts and landing vehicle tracked (LVTs). Tuscaloosa arrived at Okinawa, Japan on 1 June and after unloading, sailed for Da Nang, South Vietnam via Subic Bay, Philippines. From Da Nang the vessel returned to San Diego with a load of United States Marine Corps equipment and returned to routine operations. On 1 October Tuscaloosa sailed again for a seven-month WestPac deployment in company with Amphibious Squadron 5 (PHIBRON 5). For the remainder of the year, the landing ship conducted exercises and operations in the Philippines and off Okinawa. Tuscaloosa operated with marines, took part in amphibious exercises and ended the year at Sasebo, Japan. Tuscaloosa got underway for the Ryukyus on 4