Dock John P Murtha News

The Navy will commission the amphibious transport dock ship John P. Murtha (LPD 26), Saturday, Oct. 8, during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia. The ship is named in honor of John P. Murtha, who served his country both as a Marine and in the halls of congress. Murtha served in the Marine Corps for 37 years and saw service in the Korean War and in Vietnam, a tour that earned him the Bronze Star with Valor device, two Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. Murtha represented Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District from 1974 until his death in 2010. The Honorable Nancy Pelosi will deliver the ceremony’s principal address.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced the completion of acceptance sea trials for the company’s 10th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, John P. Murtha (LPD 26). The ship, built at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, spent six days with the test and trials team performing more than 200 trial events that included both an in-port and underway portion. “This was a significant test at sea for LPD 26, and the ship performed well,” said Kari Wilkinson, Ingalls’ LPD 26 program manager.

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ ( HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced that Richard Schenk, vice president of program management, will retire on July 1 after 33 years of service. He will be succeeded by Kari Wilkinson, effective May 23. Ingalls also announced that Mike Duthu has been promoted to vice president, business development, effective immediately. “Richard has made significant contributions to our past, current and future business objectives, and we owe him our gratitude and thanks,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias said.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced the successful sea trials of the company’s 10th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, John P. Murtha (LPD 26). The ship, built at HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, spent four days in the Gulf of Mexico last week with Ingalls’ test and trials team operating the ship and performing more than 200 test events. “Overall the builder’s trial was successful, and the ship performed well,” said Kari Wilkinson, Ingalls’ LPD 26 program manager.

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division hosted Adm. John Richardson Thursday as part of his visit to shipyards in the region. This was his first visit to Ingalls as Chief of Naval Operations. Richardson received updates on Ingalls’ shipbuilding programs and toured the facility. “We certainly appreciate Admiral Richardson taking the time out of his busy schedule to visit our shipyard to see the significant and high-quality work our shipbuilders are performing on a daily basis,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias.

Reps. Bradley Byrne, R-Ala., and Steven Palazzo, R-Miss., visited Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division Wednesday. The congressmen, both members of the House Armed Services Committee, met with shipbuilders and were briefed on the construction processes for the four different classes of military ships built at Ingalls. The Congressmen toured the shipyard and visited various shops where ship units are assembled. They also were given a tour of the amphibious transport dock John P. Murtha (LPD 26), which will launch later this year.