HMAS Kanimbla (II) was one of two former United States Navy (USN) Tank Landing Ships purchased by the RAN to bolster its amphibious capability. As USS Saginaw, she first entered service in the USN on 23 January 1971. Saginaw was one of the 1179 Class Tank Landing Ships designed to replace post World War II LSTs.

Saginaw was launched on 7 February 1970, and commissioned on 23 January 1971 at Long Beach, California. After completion of shakedown training, Saginaw joined the Atlantic Fleet on 18 August 1971, as a unit of COMPHIBLANT.

Named after Saginaw county, Michigan, she was the second US Naval Ship to bear the name. The first Saginaw was a 153 ton side wheel steamer that saw service in the latter 19th century.

Saginaw was involved in routine amphibious operations and deployments that included repeated service as part of the US Sixth Fleet as a unit of Task Force 61.

Missions of particular interest in Saginaw's history include: assignment to the Apollo 17 moon mission in 1972, participation with NATO in Exercise DISPLAY DETERMINATION in 1977, aid in the inter-fleet transfer of the USS Pegasus (PHM-1) in 1979, support of SOLID SHIELD in 1980, participation in the Cuban Refugee Operations in 1980, evacuation of 800 civilians from Lebanon in 1982, participation in Cold Winter 1983, involvement in amphibious Exercise EASTERN WIND 87, presence in TEAMWORK 88 with NATO forces, short notice deployment to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation DESERT SHIELD/STORM (August 90-August 91), involvement in Spanish PHILBLEX and DISPLAY DETERMINATION, and participation in US Marine Corps' BASCOLEX.

https://www.navy.gov.au/hmas-kanimbla-ii