Future USS Sioux City christened in Marinette
MARINETTE — The christening and launch of the future USS Sioux City marks the sixth ceremony for a Littoral Combat Ship built by the Marinette Marine.
With the smash of a bottle, the future USS Sioux glided into the Menominee River.
"It's the moment when the ship goes into the water and then starts her final stages towards commissioning, where the navy will accept delivery of her and then the crew takes control of the ship,"said U.S Navy Adm. Michelle Howard.
Howard said the latest Littoral Combat Ship, or LCS, will be used by the U.S. Navy and provides the required war-fighting capabilities needed to keep our country safe.
"The Littoral Combat Ship has many different missions, she might be used for mine counter-measures, removing mines from the water. She potentially can be used for anti-submarine warfare, searching for submarines," Admiral Howard said.
This is the first combat ship to be named after Sioux City, the fourth-largest city in Iowa.
"We create the bond between the nation and the sailors by naming the ship after a person or a part of the county,"said Howard.
The mayor of Sioux City even made the trip to Marinette. He addressed Saturday's crowd and said it was an honor to have a combat ship named after his city.
"I'm delighted to be here, we do have a rich tradition of military, and this is an honor we will not soon forget," said Mayor Robert Scott.
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, was also at the ship's christening. She said combat ships like this one not only help protect our country but it also give back to state of Wisconsin.
"Littoral Combat Ship meets our nation's national security, but it also fills this incredible role in terms of boosting our local economy," said Sen. Baldwin.
The future USS Sioux City isn't the last LCS ship to be built in Wisconsin. Currently, six other ships are scheduled to be built at Marinette Marine.
Ships do not formally acquire the "USS" moniker until commissioning.
