Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced today during a
ceremony held at the Navy Memorial that the next Arleigh-Burke class destroyer,
DDG-119, will be named Delbert D. Black.
The future USS Delbert D. Black was named in honor of the
first master chief petty officer of the Navy (MCPON).
During his time as MCPON, Black served as an advisor to many
boards dealing with enlisted personnel issues and as the enlisted
representative of the Department of the Navy. He is also credited with the
establishment of the command master chief program.
Current MCPON Mike Stevens joined Mabus at the ceremony held
to honor the legendary deck-plate leader.
“It is a great honor to name this ship in remembrance of
such a revered sailor,” said Mabus. “I have no doubt that all who serve aboard
her will carry on the legacy of service and commitment exemplified by Master
Chief Black during his storied career.”
DDG-119 will be the first ship to bear the name Delbert D.
Black.
Arleigh-Burke class destroyers conduct a variety of
operations from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and
power projection. DDG 119 will be capable of fighting air, surface and
subsurface battles simultaneously and will contain a myriad of offensive and
defensive weapons designed to support maritime warfare including integrated air
and missile defense (IAMD) capabilities.
DDG 119, the third ship of the FY2013-FY2017 DDG 51
multiyear-procurement contract, will be constructed at Huntington Ingalls
Industry (HII) shipyard. The ship will be 509 feet long, have a beam length of
59 feet and be capable of operating at speeds in excess of 30 knots.
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