SECNAV Mabus Delivers Keynote at Jackson Christening
Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus delivered the keynote address at the christening ceremony of the future USS Jackson (LCS 6) March 22 at Austal in Mobile, Ala. Dr. Katherine Holmes Cochran, daughter of Mississippi Sen. Thad Cochran, sponsors Jackson, the third Austal-constructed littoral combat ship to be christened. "Kate now becomes an honorary member of the Jackson's first crew," said Mabus. Mabus went on to discuss not only Cochran's role in the future of the ship, but Jackson's future as well. Jackson will be a key enabler of the U.S. Navy's ability to maintain a worldwide presence.
Newest Navy Warship Christened in Mobile
Dr. Katherine Holmes Cochran, Ph.D., ship's sponsor for the littoral combat ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Jackson (LCS 6), breaks a bottle across Jackson's bow during a christening ceremony at Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala. LCS 6 is the first U.S. Navy vessel christened in tribute to the capital city of Mississippi, and honors the state's ties to the U.S. Navy and the shipbuilding industry. Jackson is an innovative surface combatant designed to operate in littoral seas and shallow water to counter mines, submarines and fast surface craft threats in coastal regions.
Navy to Christen LCS Jackson
Latest Littoral Combat Ship from Austal's State-of-the-Art Ship Production Factory Coming Today. The Navy will christen its newest littoral combat ship, the future USS Jackson (LCS 6) in a ceremony at the Austal USA Shipyard in Mobile, Ala., March 22, at 10 a.m. CDT. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus will deliver the principal address at the ceremony, and Dr. Katherine Holmes Cochran will serve as the ship's sponsor. Cochran is the daughter of U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran. "Every ship we christen is important, but LCS 6, the future USS Jackson, has a special place in my heart," said Mabus.
Austal Lays Keel for LCS 6
Austal held a keel-laying ceremony for the third Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) – Jackson (LCS 6), one of five Austal-designed 127-m U.S. Navy Independence-variant LCS under contract with the U.S. Navy. Dr. Katherine Holmes Cochran, the ship’s sponsor, was present to weld her initials onto the keel plate as the Keel Authenticator. She was assisted by J.B. Craig, III, who is an “A” Class welder that has been part of the Austal team since November of 2011. Dr. Cochran is the daughter of U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) and his wife Rose Clayton Cochran.
