Navy Christens New Amphibious Assault Ship Makin Island Web Version:
Otis Willie
http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=9836
{EXCERPT} NEWS RELEASES from the United States Department of Defense
No. 778-06 IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 16, 2006 Media Contact: (703)
697-5131/697-5132 Public/Industry(703) 428-0711
Navy Christens New Amphibious Assault Ship Makin Island
The U.S. Navy will christen Makin Island, the newest and last ship in
the Wasp-class of amphibious assault ships, on Saturday, Aug. 19,
2006, during a 10 a.m. CDT ceremony at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems
in Pascagoula, Miss.
Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi will deliver the principal address at
the ceremony. Silke Hagee, wife of Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen.
Michael W. Hagee, will serve as ship's sponsor. The ceremony will be
highlighted by the time-honored Navy tradition of the sponsor breaking
the bottle of champagne across the bow to formally christen the ship.
Makin Island is named for the daring raid carried out by Marine Corps
Companies Alpha and Bravo, Second Raider Battalion, on Japanese-held
Makin Island, in the Gilbert Islands, on Aug. 17-18, 1942. The raid
was launched from the submarines USS Nautilus and USS Argonaut and
succeeded in routing the enemy forces based there, gaining valuable
intelligence. Twenty-three Navy Crosses were awarded for actions
during the raid, including to the raid's leader, Marine Corps Lt. Col.
Evans Carlson, and executive officer, Marine Corps Maj. James
Roosevelt (son of President Franklin Roosevelt). Marine Corps Sgt.
Clyde Thomason was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for heroism
during the raid and was the first enlisted Marine to be so honored
during World War II.
One previous ship, a Casablanca-class escort aircraft carrier
(1944-1946), has borne the name Makin Island, and received five battle
stars for World War II service.
The United States maintains the largest and most capable amphibious
force in the world. Second only to the Navy's aircraft carriers in
size, the Wasp-class ships are the largest amphibious war ships in the
world. These ships are specifically designed to remain off shore near
troubled areas of the world, ready to send forces ashore quickly by
helicopters, tilt rotor aircraft and landing craft air cushion (LCAC)
hovercraft. As the centerpiece of a Navy expeditionary strike group,
Wasp-class amphibious assault ships are fully capable of conducting
and supporting amphibious assaults, advance force and special purpose
operations, non-combatant evacuation, and a variety of humanitarian
missions.
The Wasp-class ships embark, transport, deploy, command and fully
support a marine expeditionary unit of about 2,000 Marines. Makin
Island can accommodate three LCACs, Marine Corps fixed wing aircraft
such as existing AV-8B Harrier II and future F-35B Lightening II
aircraft, as well as a full range of Navy/Marine Corps helicopters,
tilt rotor aircraft and amphibious vehicles to perform sea control and
limited power projection missions. Additionally, the ship is equipped
with a robust medical capability - second only to the Navy's hospital
ships in afloat capability.
Capt. Robert G. Kopas, U.S. Navy, born in Cleveland, Ohio, raised in
Phoenix, Ariz., and a graduate of Purdue University, is the ship's
commanding officer. The ship has living areas for nearly 3,200
crewmembers and embarked forces. Makin Island will be homeported in
San Diego, Calif.
Built by Northrop-Grumman Ship Systems, the ship is 844 feet in length
with a 106-foot beam. Makin Island is the first amphibious assault
ship to incorporate "all electric" auxiliary systems and a hybrid gas
turbine - electric propulsion system. With a combined 70,000
horsepower, this hybrid propulsion system will drive the 42,800-ton
ship to speeds in excess of 20 knots. These advanced auxiliary and
propulsion systems will reduce ship manning, maintenance and operating
costs compared to the seven previous Wasp-Class amphibious assault
ships. More information on Makin Island can be found at
http://www.makin-island.navy.mil .
For more information about Wasp-class amphibious assault ships, visit
http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4200&tid=400&ct=4
.
Web Version:
http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/Release.aspx?ReleaseID=9836
-- Otis Willie (Ret.)
Military News and Information Editor (http://www.13105320634.com)
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John Gilbert
Do Muslim nations "Christen" ships? Does Israel? How about Japan? Yes, I
realize these places have different words for everything.
:-)
But how do their words translate - I'm guessing 'bless' or some such.
Any Western country NOT use the local equivalent of "Christen?"
John Gilbert
ray o'hara
"John Gilbert" <mrjohn...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:tQkFg.7488$Qf....@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
you need a hobby