Spanish ship Castilla (L52)

Castilla docked at the Rota naval base.
History
Spain
Name:	Castilla
Namesake:	Castilla
Ordered:	1991
Builder:	Empresa Nacional Bazán
Laid down:	May 1997
Launched:	14 June 1999
Commissioned:	29 June 2000
Homeport:	Naval Station Rota
Identification:	Pennant number: L52
Status:	Ship in active service
General characteristics
Class and type:	Galicia-class landing platform dock
Displacement:	13,000 tonnes (13,000 long tons; 14,000 short tons)
Length:	160 m (520 ft)
Beam:	25 m (82 ft)
Draft:	6.2 m (20 ft)
Speed:	20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement:	185

Castilla (L52) is a Galicia-class landing platform dock (LPD), and is the twelfth ship of this name. She is the sister ship to the amphibious warfare vessel Galicia.

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.

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.