Carol Collins
The U.S. Navy celebrated the commissioning of its 12th Independence-variant littoral combat ship with a private ceremony that took place Saturday in Oakland, California.
The 421-foot-long, 3,200-ton USS Oakland (LCS 24), built by Austal USA, will join 11 sister vessels that are homeported in San Diego, the military service said Saturday.
“This ship is a marvel of engineering, which will extend our capabilities for any mission across the blue water, from shoreline to shoreline,” Thomas Harker, acting secretary of the Navy, said at the commissioning event.
Cmdr. Francisco Garza was appointed to lead a 70-member crew of the third ship in the naval service to be named after Oakland City.
The first USS Oakland was a transport cargo commissioned in 1918 while the second one was a light cruiser that earned nine battle stars during World War II.
Two main diesel engines, four waterjets and a pair of gas turbine engines power the newest ship of the Navy’s Independence class to travel at a speed of more than 40 knots.
The LCS platform is designed to perform near-shore operations and support forward presence, sea control and maritime security missions.
If you’re interested in Navy initiatives, check out the Potomac Officers Club’s 2021 Navy Forum coming up on May 12. Click here to learn more.
