An LKA, or Amphibious Cargo Ship, is designed to transport and land combat equipment, material, and personnel in amphibious assualts. Mobile was equipped with 11 assault boats, consisting of 4 aluminum Mike-8 boats, 4 Mike-6 boats, 1 Medical/Salvage Mike-6, and two Personnel boats. The 4 Mike-8 boats, capable of landing 60 ton battle tanks, were the Largest landing craft hoisted aboard any naval ship.

Mobile's cargo handling systems included 12 booms, of which 2 had a 70 ton lifting capacity, the largest of any US amphibious ships. Equipped with an enlarged helicopter landing platform and special elevators, Mobile routinely conducted Flight Operations with CH-46 helicopters to transport essential supplies to amphibious assault landing sites or to other ships.