Initially built as one of a large number of LSTs in 1945, she was named after the Norwegian islands that were raided during Operation Claymore in 1941.

During the Suez crisis, she was used to land the transport for 45 Commando which was part of the first-ever operational helicopter assault.

There was no hangar and minimal support facilities – the ship was essentially a platform for practising landings at sea, and a deck to transport helicopters on.

[1] In 1967, the Lofoten was replaced in this role by the purpose built RFA Engadine.

Lofoten was again laid up in 1969 to be used as an accommodation ship and as a support vessel, being docked alongside nuclear submarines undergoing refit at Rosyth Royal Dockyard (at least from 1981 onwards), before finally being sold for scrapping in 1993.