BAE to Drydock 'USS Wasp'
The Department of Defense has issued a $13,895,899 modification to a previously awarded Navy contract to BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair, Norfolk, Va., for the warship's dry-docking planned maintenance, which includes maintenance, alterations, and modifications. Work will be performed in Norfolk, Va., and is expected to be completed by November 2014. USS Wasp was built by the Ingalls Shipbuilding division of Litton in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She and her sister ships are the first specifically designed to accommodate new Landing Craft…
USS Chafee Joins The Fleet
On a crisp fall morning in Newport, R.I., friends, family, veterans and special guests gathered to watch as USS Chafee (DDG 90), the Navy's newest warship, was formally commissioned honoring the late Sen. John H. Chafee of Rhode Island. Chafee, a decorated Marine veteran of World War II and Korea, also served as Secretary of the Navy prior to being elected U.S. senator. With the historic and now retired aircraft carriers USS Forrestal (CVA 59) and USS Saratoga (CV 60) in the background, more than 6,000 supporters braved the blustery winds off Narragansett Bay to witness the historic commissioning. Speakers included U.S. Senators from Rhode Island Jack Reed and Lincoln Chafee, son of the ship's namesake. "Today is a proud day," said Reed. "This ship bears an even prouder name. Sen.
Navy Christens New Amphibious Assault Ship Makin Island
The U.S. Navy will christen Makin Island, the newest and last ship in the Wasp-class of amphibious assault ships, on Aug. 19, 2006, during a ceremony at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Pascagoula, Miss. Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi will deliver the principal address at the ceremony. Silke Hagee, wife of Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Michael W. Hagee, will serve as ship's sponsor. The ceremony will be highlighted by the time-honored Navy tradition of the sponsor breaking the bottle of champagne across the bow to formally christen the ship. Makin Island is named for the daring raid carried out by Marine Corps Companies Alpha and Bravo, Second Raider Battalion, on Japanese-held Makin Island, in the Gilbert Islands, on Aug. 17-18, 1942.
Northrop Grumman Begins Construction of LHD 8
22 on LHD 8, a multipurpose amphibious assault ship. U.S. Marine Corps representatives lauded the Northrop Grumman team's efforts and the significant impact and support these ships offer to the defense of American freedom. Ship Systems Ingalls Operations has delivered seven LHD 1 Wasp-class ships and five LHA 1 Tarawa-class of amphibious ships. LHD 8 marks the eighth ship in the class. LHD 8 is the first amphibious ship that will be powered by gas turbine engines instead of a steam plant. Corps team with significant savings in manpower and maintenance costs, while also saving on fuel expenditures. LHD 8 represents evolutionary and transformational steps towards the future.
