Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division in Pascagoula, Miss., officially started fabrication of the Flight III Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyer George M. Neal (DDG 131) on Dec. 2. Start of fabrication is the first opportunity to formally celebrate and reflect on the contributions of shipbuilders, according to Ingalls President Kari Wilkinson. “We are very proud of what we do here ... and activating what will be the newest Flight III destroyer,” he said. HII-Pascagoula has delivered 33 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the Navy. Other destroyers currently under construction are Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123), Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), Ted Stevens (DDG 128) and Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129). The destroyer’s name honors a Korean War veteran and former POW, Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class George M. Neal, who was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions while attempting to rescue a fellow service member. (Source: HII 1/056/21)
No comments:
Post a Comment