USS Tulsa (LCS 16) Commissioned

190216-N-BT947-0538 SAN FRANCISCO (Feb. 16, 2019) Ship’s sponsor Kathy Taylor gives the order to “man this ship and bring her to life” during the commissioning ceremony of littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16). LCS 16 is the fifteenth littoral combat ship to enter the fleet and the eighth of the Independence variant. It is the second Navy combat ship named after Tulsa, the second largest city in Oklahoma. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jacob I. Allison)

(Article appears courtesy of Petty Officer 1st Class Woody Paschall, Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron ONE)

The littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16) was commissioned as the Navy’s newest surface combatant in a ceremony in San Francisco Feb. 16.

The Independence-variant LCS is the Navy’s second ship to be named for the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“She truly is an amazing ship and an amazing addition to the fleet, but as impressive as she is, she would be nothing without the Sailors you see lining her deck this morning,” said Cmdr. Drew Borovies, Tulsa’s commanding officer. “And as much as they have already accomplished, they know their true greatness lies ahead as Tulsa enters the fleet and stands ready to answer her nation’s call. They are the finest Sailors our Navy has to offer. They are tough, able and ready to take our nation’s newest warship to sea.”

Indeed, in little more than three years, the ship has progressed from its keel laying in Mobile, Alabama, to its commissioning. Kathy Taylor, the ship’s sponsor and former Tulsa mayor, was present for both events and many in between.

“I have gotten to know the crew of this exceptional USS Tulsa, and I know they will fight when they must,” said Taylor. “I know they will protect this country at all costs, because they know everything they fight for and they protect keeps the promises made to all Americans.”

Current Tulsa mayor G.T. Bynum emphasized the bond between the people of Tulsa and the Sailors who serve aboard the Navy’s newest ship.

“Wherever you are in the world, whatever day it might be or whatever hour in that day, we hope you know that there are hundreds of thousands of your fellow Tulsans who are thinking of you, and who are honored to be associated with you and are so proud of you,” said Bynum.

The crew visited the city little more than a year ago to learn more about it and its people. Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford recounted some of the characteristics of the city and its people beginning at the city’s founding as the destination of a forced migration of Native American people, through booming growth and cultural turmoil and into a city renowned for its diversity and beauty.

“When you arrive at any port of our nation or any port around the globe, you will bear all of our names and all of our history,” said Lankford. “You are capable of operating in all environments. Your mission is to protect our seas and deter aggression, but when deterrence fails, we also know you are fully capable of restoring the peace. Your actions, your words, your faith, your discipline and your power will reveal to a curious world just who we are as Americans. You are our ambassadors for freedom and you bear the name Tulsa and the United States of America.”

Tulsa will join the Fleet at a time of expansion of capability as well as increased demand on the Navy forces.

Assistant Secretary of the Navy James Guertz noted Tulsa is the fifth ship the Navy has commissioned in the past 50 days and one of 13 ships slated to be commissioned this year– up from eight a year ago–as part of broader efforts to ensure the nation’s maritime freedom.

“Having the right mix of ships with the right number of ships, to include Tulsa, makes us ready to execute prompt and sustained combat operations at sea to fight and win against any adversary,” said Adm. John C. Aquilino, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. “Let there be no doubt, that is what Tulsa is ready to do.”

After the ceremony, the ship will transit to San Diego to join Commander, Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One (COMLCSRON ONE) and eight other littoral combat ships currently homeported at Naval Base San Diego.

Tulsa is the 15th littoral combat ship and the eighth of the Independence variant.