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Ray Mabus News

28 Nov 2022

Newport News Authenticates Keel for US Navy Sub Arkansas

(Photo: HII)

HII’s (NYSE: HII) Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division hosted a keel authentication ceremony for Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800).The ship’s sponsors are the six women of the historic group known as the Little Rock Nine, the first African American students to attend all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas during desegregation. NNS honored all nine members, including the three men, during Saturday’s ceremony.The Little Rock Nine made history in 1957 with their response to the Supreme Court ruling in Brown v.

08 Nov 2021

US Navy Oiler Harvey Milk Launched

(Photo: General Dynamics NASSCO)

San Diego shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO christened and launched the future USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), the second ship for the U.S. Navy’s John Lewis-class fleet oiler program.In 2016, General Dynamics NASSCO was awarded the contract by the U.S. Navy for the detailed design and construction of the next generation of fleet oilers, the John Lewis-class (T-AO 205). The contract calls for the design and construction of six 742-foot-long oilers with a full load displacement of 49,850 tons. Designed to transfer fuel to U.S.

23 Aug 2021

Amphibious Transport Dock Ship Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) Christened

Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson, LPD 28 Prospective Commanding Officer Capt. James Quaresimo and Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis watch as ship sponsor Meredith Berger officially christens amphibious transport dock Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28). (Photo: Derek Fountain / HII)

Huntington Ingalls Industries' (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division christened amphibious transport dock Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the christening was livestreamed, and a small socially distanced event was held with limited in-person attendance.“Shipbuilding is about teamwork and bringing together the most intellectually and physically challenging efforts we can imagine for a common purpose,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. “We each leverage our essential and unique abilities to estimate…

23 Aug 2021

Huntington Ingalls Industries Names Hernandez Public Affairs Director

Danny Hernandez (Photo: Huntington Ingalls Industries)

America’s largest military shipbuilding company Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced on Monday that Danny Hernandez will succeed Beci Brenton as the company’s corporate director of public affairs upon Brenton’s October 31 retirement. Hernandez will join HII on September 13, transition into the position, and report to the executive vice president of communications, while based in the company’s Washington, D.C. office.Brenton joined HII as corporate director of public affairs in 2011 after serving in various public affairs roles during her 26-year career with the U.S. Navy.

25 Apr 2021

HII Christens Destroyer Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123)

Former Ingalls Shipbuiding President Brian Cuccias and DDG 123 Prospective Commanding Officer Douglas Brayton watch as ship sponsors Virginia Munford, Pickett Wilson and Louisa Dixon officially christen guided missile destroyer Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123). Photo by Derek Fountain/HII

Huntington Ingalls Industries' (NYSE:HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division christened guided missile destroyer Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123).“The christening of Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee is a significant milestone that brings our 34th destroyer one step closer to being introduced into the fleet,” Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. “In these ever-changing times, the significance of what we do has never been more important. We are exceedingly proud of our shipbuilders for their tenacity and perseverance…

04 Sep 2020

NASSCO Lays Keel for Future USNS Harvey Milk

(Photo: General Dynamics NASSCO)

Shipbuilder General Dynamics NASSCO on Thursday laid the keel for the future USNS Harvey Milk (T-AO 206), the second of six vessels in the John Lewis-class fleet replenishment oiler program for the U.S. Navy.At 746-feet in length and displacing 49,000 tons, the future USNS Harvey Milk will provide logistics support to carrier strike groups around the world. Fleet oilers serve as a supply lifeline for Navy vessels carrying out missions in the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean and beyond.

19 Mar 2018

USS Colorado Commissioned

Colorado is the first submarine to bear the name and third vessel to be named for the state and was brought to life by her sponsor, Annie Maybus Mabus, daughter of the 75th Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. "To the crew of USS Colorado, this is your day" said Mabus, addressing the crowd and ship's company during the ceremony. "The commissioning crew truly does bring life to the boat. As the most modern and sophisticated attack submarine in the world, the submarine can operate in both littoral and deep ocean environments and presents combatant commanders with a broad and unique range of operational capabilities. "This is an amazing group of Sailors that are outfitted here. Every day we are doing something new for the first time.

16 Mar 2018

US Navy to Commission Submarine USS Colorado

The U.S. Navy will commission its newest fast attack submarine, the future USS Colorado (SSN 788), during a ceremony Saturday, March 17, at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn. The principal speaker will be U.S. Senator Cory Gardner of Colorado. Annie Mabus, daughter of 75th Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, will serve as the ship’s sponsor. “USS Colorado is a true marvel of technology and innovation, and it shows the capability that our industrial partners bring to the fight,” said Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer. The future Colorado, which began construction in 2012, is the 15th Virginia-class fast attack submarine and the fifth Virginia-class Block III submarine. Colorado will be the fourth U.S. Navy ship to be commissioned with a name honoring the state of Colorado.

10 Mar 2018

U.S. Navy Assesses Fleet Structure

Following the release of new national security and defense strategies, the Navy is undertaking a new Fleet Structure Assessment that could alter its stated goal of a 355-ship fleet, senior service officials told Congress this week. A new FSA would take a look at the mix of surface ships and submarine in the service and could change assumptions on the look and size of the future fleet, Vice Adm. Bill Merz, deputy chief of naval operations for warfare systems (OPNAV N9), told the House Armed Services seapower and projection forces subcommittee on Tuesday. “We intend to do another FSA with the new National Defense Strategy. There’s a series of events that have to happen before we do the FSA…

10 Oct 2017

USS Washington Commissioned

Sailors render a salute during the commissioning ceremony for the Virginia Class Submarine USS Washington (SSN 787) at Naval Station Norfolk. Washington is the U.S. Navy's 14th Virginia-class attack submarine and the fourth U.S. Navy ship named for the State of Washington. (U.S. Navy photo by Class Joshua M. Tolbert)

The U.S. Navy’s newest Virginia class submarine, USS Washington (SSN 787), was officially commissioned during a ceremony on board Naval Station Norfolk, Va. on October 7. Washington, named in honor of the 42nd state, is the 14th Virginia-class, fast-attack submarine to join the Navy's operational fleet. Elisabeth Mabus, daughter of the 75th Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, served as the submarine’s sponsor. Washington is the fourth of eight Block III Virginia-class submarines to be built.

15 Sep 2017

US Navy to Christen Tripoli

The US Navy will christen its newest America-class amphibious assault ship, the future USS Tripoli (LHA 7), during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony, Sept. 16, in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Thomas Dee, performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Lynne Mabus, the wife of the 75th Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Ray Mabus, will serve as the ship's sponsor. The ceremony will be highlighted by Mrs. Mabus breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow to formally christen the ship, a time-honored Navy tradition. "When USS Tripoli, the newest America-class amphibious assault ship, joins the fleet, we'll be a stronger, more flexible, and better Navy and Marine Corps team," Dee said.

06 Jul 2017

USS Gabrielle Giffords Completes Maiden Voyage

The newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) arrived in San Diego July 5, after successfully completing her maiden voyage from Mobile, Alabama. Following construction and acceptance trials earlier this year at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Giffords sailed to Galveston, Texas, where she was commissioned June 10. "Our Sailors are honored to represent the ship namesake, its homeport in San Diego and the U.S. Navy," said Cmdr. Keith Woodley, Giffords' commanding officer. During her sail around transit from Mobile, Giffords Sailors conducted Combat Ship Systems Qualification Trials (CSSQT) events, various crew certification training events and regularly scheduled equipment and systems checks and transited through the Panama Canal.

28 May 2017

Future USS Washington Delivered

The Navy accepted delivery of the future USS Washington (SSN 787), the 14th submarine of the Virginia-class, May 26. Washington is the fourth of eight Virginia-class Block III submarines and the seventh of the class to be delivered to the Navy by Huntington Ingalls Industries - Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. Washington began construction in September 2011 and will be commissioned later this year in Norfolk, Virginia. The submarine's sponsor is Elisabeth Mabus, daughter of the 75th Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. "Washington's delivery continues our commitment to deliver Virginia-class submarines within budget and ready to deploy and execute Fleet tasking," said Capt. Washington will be the third U.S.

24 Jan 2017

New Navy Leaders as Trump Takes Office

The Honorable Sean J. Stackley assumed the responsibilities of acting secretary of the Navy Jan. 20 at noon. Stackley, who served as the assistant secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition) for more than eight years, will carry out the day-to-day responsibilities of the secretary of the Navy until the incoming Trump administration nominates, and Congress confirms, a replacement for Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. The Honorable Thomas W. Hicks, deputy undersecretary of the Navy (Management), will also perform the duties of under secretary of the Navy until a replacement for the Honorable Janine Davidson is nominated and confirmed. The Honorable Allison F. Stiller will perform the duties of assistant secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisition).

15 Jan 2017

SNA Concludes Annual Symposium

The Surface Navy Association (SNA) concluded its 29th annual three-day symposium in Arlington, Virginia, Jan. 12. The symposium focused on distributed lethality to enable sea control and facilitated professional discussions between military members, industry representatives and lawmakers regarding surface warfare technology, tactics, training and career development. The first day commenced with welcomes, roundtable discussions and keynote addresses by Navy leaders, including Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. William Moran and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Steven Giordano. Vice Adm. Thomas Rowden, commander, Naval Surface Forces/Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, detailed his new Naval Surface Force Strategy and related it to the symposium's objectives.

20 Dec 2016

US Naval Secretary Calls for 355-ship Fleet

Ray Mabus (Photo: U.S. Navy)

In announcing the results of the 2016 Force Structure Assessment (FSA), U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus recommended a 355-ship fleet, including 12 carriers, 104 large surface combatants, 52 small surface combatants, 38 amphibious ships and 66 submarines. The FSA is a year-long effort which began in January that was conducted to evaluate long-term defense security requirements for future naval forces today at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va. Mabus’ assessment will be one input to the Navy's FY-2018 30-year shipbuilding plan.

09 Dec 2016

US Navy, Queensland Partner with Industry

A two-day Biofutures Industry Forum hosted by the Queensland government and U.S. Navy at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre commenced today in Brisbane, Australia. The forum will bring together biofutures industry leaders from each step in the supply chain to collaborate and discuss the production of biofuels that meet both jet and marine specifications; all while forming and strengthening professional relationships between the nations. "The Navy has always been in the energy-innovation business- from wind to coal, coal to oil, and now alternative fuels," said Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy for Management, Tom Hicks. Hicks was joined by the Queensland Premier…

03 Dec 2016

Navy to Christen Submarine Colorado

The Navy will christen its newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine, the future USS Colorado (SSN 788), during an 11 a.m. EDT ceremony Saturday, Dec. 3 at General Dynamics Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, Connecticut. The Honorable Ray Mabus, secretary of the Navy, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. His daughter, Anne Mabus, is serving as the ship's sponsor. "The christening of the future USS Colorado is an example of our enduring partnership with our nation's shipbuilders, and this ceremony marks a milestone along the journey to add another submarine to our Navy fleet-a fleet that will reach more than 300 ships by 2019," Mabus said. Colorado (SSN 788) is the 15th Virginia-class fast attack submarine and the fifth Virginia-class Block III submarine.

10 Nov 2016

Latest Arleigh-Burke Class Destroyer Named

In a ceremony Nov. 9, at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced that the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, DDG 121, will be named Frank E. Petersen Jr., in honor of the Marine Corps lieutenant general who was the first African-American Marine Corps aviator and the first African-American Marine Corps general officer. In 1950, two years after President Harry S. Truman desegregated the armed forces, Petersen enlisted in the Navy. In 1952, Petersen was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He would go on to fly 350 combat missions during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He also went on to become the first African-American in the Marine Corps to command a fighter squadron, an air group and a major base.

10 Nov 2016

SECNAV Names Next Amphibious Assault Ship USS Bougainville

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced November 9 that the name of the next America-class amphibious assault ship will be USS Bougainville (LHA 8). The naming ceremony took place at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. LHA-8 will be the second ship to be named after Bougainville, an island in the northern Solomons, which was the location of a World War II campaign in 1943-1944 during which allies secured a strategic airfield from Japan. Success at Bougainville isolated all Japanese forces left in the Solomons. The first Bougainville was an escort carrier that was launched in 1944, a year after the Bougainville campaign began. It was decommissioned for the first time in 1946.

02 Nov 2016

World’s Most High-tech Ship Enters Service

USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) passes under the Gov. William Preston Lane Memorial Bridge, also known as the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, as the ship travels to its new home port of San Diego (U.S. Navy photo by Liz Wolter)

USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), representing the newest class of surface combatant, was commissioned on October 15 in ceremonies at Baltimore. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus was the principal speaker. “This ship is an example of a larger initiative to increase operational stability and give the U.S. a strategic advantage,” he said. “Our Navy and our Marine Corps, uniquely, provide presence – around the globe, around the clock – ensuring stability, reassuring allies, deterring adversaries and providing the nation's leaders with options in times of crisis,” Mabus said.

28 Oct 2016

US Navy to Commission Submarine Illinois

Sailors assigned to the Virginia-class attack submarine Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Illinois (SSN 786) salute after bringing the ship to life during a rehearsal for the submarine's commissioning ceremony. Illinois is the U.S. Navy's 13th Virginia-Class attack submarine and the fourth U.S. Navy ship named for the state of Illinois. (U.S. Navy photo by Darryl I. Wood)

The U.S. Navy is set to commission its newest fast attack submarine during an October 29 ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn. The third Virginia-class block III submarine and 13th of the Virginia-class fast attack class, the future USS Illinois (SSN 786) has the capability to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces. Other missions include antisubmarine and antiship warfare, mine delivery and minefield mapping.

22 Oct 2016

USN to Commission LCS Detroit

The Navy will commission its newest Freedom-variant littoral combat ship, Detroit (LCS 7), during an 11 a.m. EDT ceremony Saturday, Oct. 22 on Detroit's waterfront. Detroit is the sixth U.S. ship in our nation's history to be named in honor of city of Detroit. Adm. Phil Davidson, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Barbara Levin, wife of former U.S. Senator Carl Levin, serves as the ship's sponsor. "This ship represents so much. It represents the city of Detroit, the motor city. It represents the highly-skilled American workers of our nation's industrial base, the men and women who built this great warship and it represents the American spirit of hard work, patriotism and perseverance," said the Honorable Ray Mabus, secretary of the Navy.