Keel Authentication Ceremonies

Welders working on metal with sparks.

Keel Laid for First-in-Class USNS Navajo

Gulf Island Shipyard held a keel laying ceremony on Oct. 30 for the future USNS Navajo (T-ATS...
Woman signing Jack Lucas plaque.

Huntington Ingalls Industries Authenticates Keel of Guided Missile Destroyer Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125)

Ship’s Sponsors (left to right) Catherine B. Reynolds and Ruby Lucas trace their initials onto...
Canberra (LCS 30) keel laying, March 10, 2020

USS Canberra Keel Laying

Marise Payne, minister for foreign affairs in Australia, welds her initials into the keel of...
People watch welding in protective masks.

USNS Cherokee Nation Keel Laying

Tribal leaders from the Cherokee Nation, U.S. Navy officials from Program Executive Office Ships and...
Two welders working on metal project.

USS Basilone Keel Laying

BATH, Maine (Jan. 10, 2020) Ship sponsor Ms. Ryan Manion welds her initials into a...
Man in hard hat speaking at General Dynamics NASSCO.

USNS John Lewis Keel Laying

Rep. John Lewis (D Ga.) addresses attendees at the keel laying for his namesake ship,...
Women in hard hats at keel authentication.

USS Richard M. McCool Keel Laying

190412-N-BR740-1054: Left, Shana McCool and Kate Oja, ship sponsors of the future USS Richard M....
Welder with women holding welding masks.

USS Marinette Keel Laying

The US Navy held a keel laying and authentication ceremony for the future littoral combat...
Keel authentication Bougainville LHA 8, March 14, 2019

USS Bougainville Keel Laying

Ship Sponsor Ellyn Dunford traces her initials before Ingalls Shipbuilding welder Cedric Harman welds them...
USS Carl Levin DDG 120 plaque.

Future Carl Levin Keel Laying Ceremony

Retired U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., signed a steel plate at the keel laying for...