Ship Ceremonies

Navy submarine commissioning ceremony.

USS John Warner (SSN 785) Commissioned in Norfolk

USS John Warner is “brought to life” by the ship sponsor during a commissioning ceremony held at Naval Station Norfolk this past Saturday (Photo by Todd Creekman/NHF/Released) Original post taken from the Naval Historical Foundation The newest addition to the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet is a...
USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) sailors boarding.

Navy Commissions Littoral Combat Ship USS Milwaukee

Sailors assigned to the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) man the ship during the commissioning ceremony in snowy Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Nov. 21. Milwaukee will proceed to her homeport in San Diego in next year. Photo credit: Lockheed Martin. Article originally appeared on...
Navy ship launching ceremony crowd.

USS Jackson Commissioned

151205-N-AC887-003GULFPORT, Miss. (Dec 5 , 2015) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus delivers remarks during the christening ceremony for the Navy’s newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship, USS Jackson (LCS 6), in Gulfport, Miss. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sam Shavers/Released) Original article courtesy of Navy.mil...
Ship launching ceremony, champagne christening.

USNS Lewis B. Puller Christened at General Dynamics NASSCO

Mrs. Martha Puller Downs, daughter of General Puller, christens USNS Lewis B. Puller. (General Dynamics) From General Dynamics/NASSCO Press Release SAN DIEGO – General Dynamics NASSCO, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), on Saturday christened the U.S. Navy’s newest ship, the USNS Lewis B. Puller (MLP-3 AFSB). ...
Woman breaking champagne bottle at ceremony.

US Navy christens future USNS Trenton (JHSV 5)

Ship sponsor Virginia A. Kamsky christens the USNS Trenton (JHSV 5) Saturday morning, Jan. 10, 2015, at the Austal USA shipbuilding facility in Mobile, Ala., as her son, Michael Kamsky, background left, and Craig Perciavalle, Austal USA president, look on. (Mike Kittrell/mkittrell@al.com) By Michael Finch...
Woman smashing champagne bottle at ceremony.

Navy Christens Littoral Combat Ship Montgomery

Austal USA and the US Navy celebrated the christening of the future USS Montgomery (LCS 8) this morning as ship sponsor, Mary Blackshear Sessions, broke the ceremonial champagne bottle on the bow of the ship in Austal’s shipyard in Mobile, Alabama. By COMLCSRON ONE Public...
USS North Dakota submarine christening.

Submarine North Dakota Commissioned in Groton

141025-N-WL435-378 GROTON, Conn. (Oct. 25, 2014) Sailors assigned to the Virginia-class attack submarine USS North Dakota (SSN 784) bring the ship to life during the boat’s commissioning ceremony. North Dakota is the 11th Virginia-class submarine. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Peter D....
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Navy Christens, Launches Future USS Detroit

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus delivers remarks during the christening ceremony for the littoral combat ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Detroit (LCS 7) at Marinette Marine Corp. shipyard in Marinette, Wis. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sam Shavers/Released) From Program Executive...
Here's an alt tag for the image: USS Tripoli & tugboats in harbor.

U.S. Navy Christens Future USS America (LHA 6)

Tugboats guide the amphibious assault ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) America (LHA 6) to her berthing place at Ingalls Shipbuilding. The Ingalls-built amphibious transport dock ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Arlington (LPD 24) can be seen in the background. America will be christened Oct. 20. (U.S. Navy...
Ship christening ceremony champagne splash.

Navy Christens Submarine John Warner

Jeanne Warner christens the Virginia-class attack submarine Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) John Warner (SSN 785). (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries by John Whalen/Released) By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jymyaka Braden, Defense Media Activity NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) — Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) John Warner (SSN...
Here's an alt tag for the image: "Sally Ride" ship christening ceremony.

R/V Sally Ride (AGOR 28) Christened

ANACORTES, Wash. (Aug. 9, 2014) Dr. Tam O’Shaughnessy, ship’s sponsor for the auxiliary general oceanographic research (AGOR) vessel R/V Sally Ride (AGOR 28), breaks a bottle across the bow during a christening ceremony at the Dakota Creek Industries, Inc., shipyard in Anacortes, Wash. Joining O’Shaughnessy...

2013-2014 Society of Sponsors Video

This Video shows the twelve ship christenings and commissionings that occurred from May 2013 to April 2014. The Society of Sponsors gratefully acknowledges and thanks our friends at the Naval Historical Foundation who produced the video for us. https://youtu.be/_Ufj43DeVbM

2013-2014 Society of Sponsors Video

This Video shows the twelve ship christenings and commissionings that occurred from May 2013 to April 2014. The Society of Sponsors gratefully acknowledges and thanks our friends at the Naval Historical Foundation who produced the video for us. https://youtu.be/_Ufj43DeVbM

2013-2014 Society of Sponsors Video

This Video shows the twelve ship christenings and commissionings that occurred from May 2013 to April 2014. The Society of Sponsors gratefully acknowledges and thanks our friends at the Naval Historical Foundation who produced the video for us. https://youtu.be/_Ufj43DeVbM
Women christen ship with champagne.

Navy Christens future USS Zumwalt

Mouzetta Zumwalt-Weathers Christens the guided-missile destroyer Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Zumwalt (DDG 1000) during a christening ceremony 12 April 2014 at Bath Iron Works. The ship, the first of three Zumwalt-class destroyers, will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces and operate as...
USS Independence-class littoral combat ship.

USS Coronado Commissioned in Namesake City

Sailors man the rails during the commissioning ceremony of the littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) at Naval Air Station North Island. (U.S. Navy photo 140405-N-QC631-059) By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Donnie W. Ryan, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs More...
Ship christening: Neil Armstrong.

R/V Neil Armstrong Christened by Navy

Carol Armstrong, ship’s sponsor for the Auxiliary General Oceanographic Research (AGOR) research vessel (R/V) Neil Armstrong (AGOR 27), breaks a bottle across bow during a christening ceremony. Joining Armstrong on the platform are Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder, left, chief of naval research, Mr. Dick Nelson,...
Ship christening: Jackson (LCS 6)

SECNAV Delivers Keynote Address at Jackson Christening

Dr. Katherine Holmes Cochran, breaks a bottle across Jackson’s bow during a christening ceremony at Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala. (U.S. Navy photo 140322-O-ZZ999-202 courtesy of Austal U.S.A.) From Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus delivered the keynote...
Woman speaks at navy ceremony.

USS Somerset (LPD 24) Commissioned in Philadelphia

USS Somerset ship’s sponsor Mary Jo Myers thanks the crew, shipbuilders and families of love ones lost on United Airlines Flight 93 for their support throughout the construction of the amphibious transport dock before she gives the order to man the ship and bring her...
Navy ship launching, water spray.

Future USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) Christened and Launched

The littoral combat ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Milwaukee (LCS 5) slides into the Menominee River during a christening ceremony at the Marinette Marine Corporation shipyard. (U.S. Navy photo 131218-N-EW716-001) From Program Executive Office Littoral Combat Ships Public Affairs MARINETTE, Wis. (NNS) — The Navy, along with the...
USS Gerald R. Ford christening ceremony.

USS Gerald A. Ford Christening Connects President to Navy Roots

Susan Ford Bales, daughter of former President Gerald R. Ford and sponsor of the aircraft carrier that bears his name, breaks a bottle of champagne on the bow of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) at Newport News Shipbuilding during the christening ceremony for...
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Submarine North Dakota Christened in Groton

Ship sponsor Katie Fowler, wife of retired Vice Adm. Jeff Fowler, christens Pre-Commissioning Unit North Dakota (SSN 784) by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine against the back of the sail. (U.S. Navy Photo 131102-N-SF554-119) By Lt. Timothy Hawkins, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs GROTON,...
Navy submarine commissioning ceremony.

Submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783) Commissioned

NORFOLK, Va. (Sept. 7, 2013) Sailors assigned to Virginia-class attack submarine USS Minnesota (SSN 783) man the rails after the order to “bring the ship to life” is given during the commissioning ceremony for Minnesota. Minnesota, the 10th ship of the Virginia class is named in honor of the state’s...
US Navy ship commissioning ceremony.

Sailors Weather Alaskan Cold to Commission Navy’s Newest Amphib

Sailors and Marines man the rails after bringing the ship to life during the commissioning of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) at the Port of Anchorage. More than 4,000 people gathered to witness the ship’s commissioning in its namesake...
Woman cutting ribbon, celebratory splash.

USNS Montford Point Christened in San Diego

Alexis “Jackie” Bolden, the wife of current NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, christens the Mobile Landing Platform USNS Montford Point (T-MLP 1) in San Diego. Montford Point is the first ship of its class and will serve as a floating base for amphibious operations and operate...
USS Enterprise decommissioning ceremony.

Enterprise, Navy’s First Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier, Inactivated

Attendees observe the inactivation ceremony of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). Enterprise was commissioned in 1961 and is scheduled to celebrate her inactivation, Dec. 1, after 51 years of service. U.S. Navy photo 121201-N-KQ416-200. From USS Enterprise Public Affairs NORFOLK (NNS) — Nearly 12,000 past...
Minnesota SSN 783 launch ceremony.

Future USS Minnesota Christened

Newport News Shipbuilding hosts the christening ceremony for the Virginia-class attack submarine Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) USS Minnesota (SSN 783). U.S. Navy photo 121027-N-QL471-245. From Naval Sea Systems Command NEWPORT NEWS, VA. (NNS) — The Navy christened its newest submarine, the future USS Minnesota (SSN 783), Oct. 27,...
Ship christening ceremony with officials.

U.S. Navy Christens Future USS America (LHA 6)

The newest amphibious assault ship America (LHA 6) was christened by sponsor Lynne Pace at a ceremony in Pascagoula, Miss. US Navy photo 121020-O-ZZ999-001. By Ensign Darius A. Radzius, Navy Office of Information PASCAGOULA, Miss. (NNS) — The newest amphibious assault ship America (LHA 6) was christened...
USS Michael Murphy, DDG-112, commissioning.

Navy Commissions USS Michael Murphy in Big Apple

Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) man the rails as they bring the ship to life during its commissioning ceremony. U.S. Navy photo 121006-N-JN023-051. By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Scorza, Naval Surfaces Forces Public Affairs NEW YORK (NNS)...
Navy ship decorated for commissioning.

Fort Worth Commissioned in Galveston

Sailors assigned to the Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) man the rails during her commissioning at Galveston, Texas. U.S. Navy photo 120922-N-MM874-007. By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Rosalie Garcia GALVESTON, Texas (NNS) — USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) commissioned at the...