San Giusto's name and its motto in Trieste dialect “Coragio no manca co' semo nel giusto" (courage cannot and must not fail when fighting for a right cause) indissolubly bind the Unit to the city of Trieste. The Crest, like the coat of arms of Trieste, bears in fact the halberd, represented emerging from the waves, to remember according to the legend, how San Giusto, thrown into the sea during the persecution of Diocletian (303 AC) was returned by the waters on the beach of Trieste.
The "amphibious" vocation of the Unit is represented by the lion symbol of the homonymous Battalion (today the Marine Brigade), which has written countless pages of heroism in the history of the Navy and embarks on the Unit during operational and training events.
Finally, the rudder, symbol of the Naval Academy, recalls the function with which the Unit was born (and recently “sacrificed" to a more assiduous operational use), a School Ship destined to train the young Navy recruits and educate them to love the Homeland and the sea.
The “San Giusto" is an LPD type landing unit of similar design to the previous ones of the “San Giorgio" class while presenting some variations compared to these. Such as, availability of a single spot flight deck, the presence of a more advanced Command and Control System, greater availability of internal logistical accommodations, larger island dimension, availability of 76/62 caliber artillery.
The characteristics of use of the Ship, extremely flexible in construction and proven functionality as a result, of the numerous activities carried out, make it capable of operating with different profiles of use within the assignable missions as:
Complex Command Headquarter Unit: as already certified in NATO and as field tested in the context of important exercises and operations, the Unit is able to embark and support a Complex Command in its functions up to the level of Maritime Component Commander (MCC). In particular, they are available on board:
Two large areas set up as STAFF-ROOM, with individual workstations, planning and conducting areas of operations, meeting rooms, and VTC;
An Amphibious Operation Center, adjacent and interoperable with the Combat for the management of the current situation;
A telecommunication system, with strong satellite and conventional communication capabilities, classified and non-classified computer networks that allow the integration of the embarked staff with other National and Foreign Commands, Bodies, Agencies;
Logistical support, with specific reference to single and multiple accommodation for about 300 beds, recreational services, laundry, canteen, bar, gym etc;
In a dual-use perspective of the military instrument, the spaces, systems and professional skills available on board, can also be used in favor of agencies, civil organizations operating in the field of emergencies, eg: PROCIV and OMS;
Amphibious assault unit with the possibility of use for two helicopters type SH-3D/EH-101/AB212/NH90. The function of managing transportable loads can also be exploited for the embarkation/disembarkation of material for the support of populations affected by natural disasters and/or who are in socio-economic condition of need;
Health support unit, with a hospital area that can be equipped up to the NATO classification of Role 1 level (being upgraded to Role 2), or the possibility of carrying out:
Medical examination and outpatient and emergency treatment;
Emergency dental treatment;
Radiological and laboratory examinations;
Life-saving and limb-saving surgery;
Early burn treatment.
To ensure this level of health support, when necessary, an emergency surgery team (anesthesiologist, surgeon, orthopedist and dentist) is embarked. Also in this sector, the medical equipment on board, the spaces and the professional skills available on board are substantially compatible and comparable to health facilities such as Advanced Medical Posts (PMA) and Social-Health Assistance Posts (PASS), essential for prompt and immediate intervention in areas affected by calamities.
