User:The ed17/Sandbox/USS Alabama (BB-60)

USS Alabama (BB-60) was a South Dakota-class battleship of the United States Navy.

Early career
Construction upon Alabama began on 1 February 1940, when her keel was laid down at the Norfolk Navy Yard. She was launched two years later, on 16 February 1942, and commissioned into the Navy six months after that (16 August). After the process of fitting out was completed, she began her shakedown cruise in Chesapeake Bay before moving north to Casco Bay, Maine in the beginning of January 1943. Returning to Chesapeake on 11 January, she completed her shakedown there. After receiving required repairs in the Norfolk Navy Yard, she steamed to Casco Bay once more, where she joined her sister USS South Dakota (BB-57) on 13 February for tactical maneuvers.

With the Royal Navy preparing to transfer many of its capital ships to the Mediterranean Sea to support Operation "Husky", the Allied invasion of Sicily, Alabama and South Dakota were instructed to sail to the British Isles. Beginning on 2 April, the battleships&mdash;escorted by five destroyers&mdash;proceeded through Little Placentia Sound in Argentia while on their way to Scapa Flow, which they reached on 19 May. After a short time of training, South Dakota and Alabama were deployed in early June to cover a reinforcement of the island of Spitsbergen, north of both Norway and the Arctic Circle. In July, Alabama took part in Operation "Governor", which attempted to simultaneously draw attention away from Operation "Husky" and bring the German battleship GERMAN BATTLESHIP Tirpitz to battle.

On 1 August, Alabama and South Dakota, along with escorts, set course for the United States. They reached Norfolk nine days later; after a hurried overhaul, she again set sail, this time for service in the Third Fleet as part of the Pacific War. After reaching Efate on 14 September, she took part in training and exercises into November, when she moved to Fiji in preparation for Operation "Galvanic". After escorting the fast carriers, she was present for the invasions of Tarawa, Betio and Makin.