THE NEWEST SAN ANTONIO-CLASS AMPHIBIOUS TRANSPORT DOCK SHIP, USS SAN DIEGO, WAS COMMISSIONED
IN A CEREMONY MAY 19TH. THE SHIP IS NAMED FOR THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO, PRINCIPAL HOMEPORT
OF THE PACIFIC FLEET, AND HONORS THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY AND IT'S LEADERS FOR THEIR CONTINUOUS
SUPPORT OF THE MILITARY.
SAN DIEGO, THE FOURTH SHIP TO BEAR THE NAME OF THE CITY, IS THE ONLY SHIP IN THE US FLEET
TO BE HOMEPORTED IN HER NAMESAKE CITY. WELCOME HOME AND WELCOME TO THE U.S. PACIFIC FLEET.
SAN DIEGO IS THE SIXTH AMPHIBIOUS TRANSPORT DOCK SHIP IN THE SAN ANTONIO CLASS. THE MISSION
OF THESE SHIPS IS TO DEPLOY COMBAT AND SUPPORT ELEMENTS OF MARINE EXPEDITIONARY UNITS AND
BRIGADES AS WELL AS SUPPORT AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT AND SPECIAL OPERATIONS. SAN DIEGO WILL PROVIDE
IMPROVED WARFIGHTING CAPABILITIES INCLUDING AN ADVANCED COMMAND-AND-CONTROL SUITE, INCREASED
LIFT CAPABILITY IN VEHICLE AND CARGO-CARRYING CAPACITY, AND ADVANCED SHIP SURVIVABILITY
FEATURES.
THIS SHIP LPD 22 IS EXPECTED TO SERVE FOR 40 YEARS AT LEAST UNTIL 2052. I HAVE TWO YOUNG
GRANDDAUGHTERS AGED 6 YEARS AND 18 MONTHS. I STAND HERE AND LOOK ACROSS SAN DIEGO BAY.
I'M CONFIDENT THAT THIS SHIP AS WELL AS HER SISTERS USS SPRUANCE, USNS CESAR CHAVES, USS
FREEDOM, USS INDEPENDENCE, USS RONALD REAGAN, AND THE DOZENS OF OTHER SHIPS RECENTLY DELIVERED
OR UNDER CONSTRUCTION WILL ENSURE THAT MY GRAND DAUGHTERS ENJOY THE FREEDOMS AND BENEFITS
THAT I GREW UP WITH, THAT MY PARENTS AND MY GRANDPARENTS ENJOYED,
SAN DIEGO'S CREW INCLUDES APPROXIMATELY 377 OFFICERS AND ENLISTED PERSONNEL.
ITS A LOT OF HARDWORK AND A LOT OF TIME AWAY FROM THE FAMILY BUT AT THE END OF IT, THE
REWARDS ARE FAR GREATER. BECAUSE YOU GET TO SEE THIS SHIP BEHIND US ACTUALLY SAIL AWAY
AND DO HER MISSION.
FROM WASHINGTON I'M SEAMAN ASHLEY HEDRICK.
