The USS Harrisburg, a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship, was christened on Saturday (January 11) at the Ingalls Shipbuilding division in Pascagoula, Mississippi. This marks a significant milestone for the U.S. Navy as the USS Harrisburg becomes the first Flight II vessel in its class. The ship is named after Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, honoring the city's rich history and support of the U.S. military.
The christening ceremony was attended by co-sponsors Alexandra Curry and Jennifer Diaz, who smashed a bottle of sparkling wine across the ship's bow. Curry expressed her pride, stating, "I like to define myself as a true patriot, so just being a part of this community now and the navy family, I can’t even put it into words." Diaz shared her excitement, saying, "I’m so happy."
The USS Harrisburg, also known as LPD 30, is the fourteenth San Antonio-class ship and is designed to support expeditionary warfare, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief missions. Rear Admiral Tom Anderson, who provided the keynote address, congratulated the sailors and shipbuilders, acknowledging their hard work and sacrifices.
The ship's construction reflects the craftsmanship and dedication of the team at Ingalls Shipbuilding. Brian Blanchette, President of Ingalls Shipbuilding, emphasized the ship's qualities, stating, "Like its namesake, Harrisburg — with its rich history of strength, resilience, and leadership — shares the same qualities reflected in our shipbuilders."
The USS Harrisburg is expected to be operationally flexible, capable of being deployed independently or as part of a larger strike group. It is part of a larger plan to build 13 Flight II vessels, with the goal of reducing costs to $1.4 billion per ship. The ship is set to support a range of missions, including amphibious assault and special operations.
Links
https://www.wlox.com/2025/01/12/ingalls-shipbuilding-celebrates-christening-future-uss-harrisburg/https://hii.com/news/hii-christens-amphibious-transport-dock-harrisburg-lpd-30/https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/hii-names-lpd-30-the-uss-harrisburg/