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USS Jackson (LCS-6) during its christening ceremony at Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala. in 2014. US Navy Photo
The sixth littoral combat ship – USS Jackson (LCS-6) – was commissioned on Saturday in a ceremony in Gulfport, Miss.
The aluminum Independence-class Jackson – named for the Mississippi’s capital and for former president Andrew Jackson – is the first ship to enter the Navy built entirely by Alabama shipyard Austal USA.
The ceremony featured addresses from former Mississippi governor and Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, current Mississippi governor Phil Bryant and Jackson’s mayor.
“The Jackson community stands proud to support the USS Jackson as she joins the battle ranks, exemplifying the essence of our great nation who remains unparalleled in the fight for justice and freedom,” Jackson mayor Tony Yarber said, according to local The Clarion Ledger newspaper.
Jackson is the first ship to deliver for Austal as part of a split 20-ship deal between Austal and Freedom-class (LCS-1) manufacturer Lockheed Martin issued by the service in 2010.
The first two ships in the class – USS Independence (LCS-2) and USS Coronado (LCS-4) – were built under contracts awarded to General Dynamics.
The ship had successfully completed its final set of acceptance trials in June ahead of the ship’s August delivery to the service.
Now that Jackson has commissioned it will transit to its new homeport at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
Littoral Combat Ship USS Jackson Commissions - USNI News
