Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Bruce Twp.) christened a new U.S. Navy ship that is named after Lansing over the weekend.
The two took part in the christening of the future USNS Lansing on Saturday morning in Mobile, Alabama, as they broke a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow.
McClain, a top House Republican who represents Michigan’s 9th Congressional District, and the Democratic governor are the ship’s sponsors. It’s the first naval vessel named for Michigan’s capital city.
“Having Lansing’s name sail the seas in service to our country is a powerful reminder that Michigan will always stand shoulder to shoulder with the men and women who defend our freedom,” said McClain, who serves as House Republican Conference chairwoman.
The naming honors Lansing’s legacy as a manufacturing hub that has produced supplies for the U.S. military since the Civil War.
Whitmer said she was “confident that Lansing’s rich history of innovation, manufacturing, and collaboration will inspire the brave men and women who serve aboard the USNS Lansing. Michigan has a long, proud history of investing in our national defense, so let’s keep working together to build things that keep our country safe.”
According to Navy officials, the ship is a Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport that can serve as a transport vessel, medical platform or both. The Navy lists the ship as under construction and its service date wasn’t immediately available.
The ship will have 31 civilian crew mariners and is capable of embarking up to 155 troops or an Expeditionary Medical Unit as required. It can reach speeds between 35-40 knots and measures about 338 feet in length, according to the Navy.
The christening ceremony represented the completion of construction and preparation for the ship’s service.
Sponsors participate in a mast-stepping ceremony, when a token of the sponsor’s choice is placed in the ship’s mast step for good luck. For the USNS Lansing, Whitmer chose a key to the city of Lansing gifted by Mayor Andy Schor.
“The future USNS Lansing is one step closer to joining the U.S. fleet and Military Sealift Command to answer the call to action, any ocean, any time,” Under Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao said of the christening.
Parts of the USNS Lansing were made in Michigan, including the main propulsion engines, built in Novi, and the stern ramp, manufactured in Kingsford.
