From Department of Defense
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Navy will commission its newest
littoral combat ship, the future USS Coronado (LCS 4), April 5, during a
ceremony at Naval Air Station, North Island in Coronado, Calif.
Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mark Ferguson will
deliver the ceremony's principal address. Susan Ring Keith, a long-time leader
in the San Diego community, will serve as ship's sponsor. The ceremony will be
highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when Keith gives the first order
to "man our ship and bring her to life!"
"The commissioning of USS Coronado is a celebration of
the history of the great city of Coronado and its lasting relationship with our
Navy and Marine Corps. The sailors aboard LCS 4 will bring this mighty warship
to life with their skill and dedication, honoring her namesake and our nation
for years to come," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus. "When she
sets sail for distant shores, Coronado, and ships like her, will have a vital
role maintaining freedom of the seas, and providing naval presence in the right
place, all the time."
Cmdr. Shawn Johnston, a native of North Carolina, is the
commanding officer of the ship's Gold Crew and will lead the core crew of 40
officers and enlisted personnel. The 2,790-ton Coronado was built by Austal USA
Shipbuilding in Mobile, Ala. The ship is 417 feet in length, has a waterline
beam of 100 feet, and a navigational draft of 15 feet. The ship uses two gas
turbine and two diesel engines to power four steerable water jets to speeds in
excess of 40 knots.
Designated LCS 4, Coronado is the fourth littoral combat
ship and the second of the Independence variant. Named for Coronado, Calif., it
is the third Navy ship to bear the name. USS Coronado (LCS 4) will be outfitted
with reconfigurable mission packages and focus on a variety of mission areas
including mine countermeasures, surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare.
The first USS Coronado (PF 38) was a patrol frigate and
served as a convoy escort during World War II. The subsequent Coronado (AGF 11)
was designed as an Austin Class Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD) and was
reconfigured to be an Auxiliary Command ship (AGF) in 1980 and subsequently
served as the commander, Middle East Force flagship, then the commander, U.S.
Sixth Fleet flagship in the Mediterranean, and subsequently the commander, U.S.
3rd Fleet flag ship in the Eastern Pacific Ocean prior to decommissioning in
2006.
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