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USS San Antonio Arrives in Norfolk

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060126-04
Release Date: 1/26/2006 10:47:00 AM

By Journalist 1st Class (SW) Stefanie Holzeisen-Mullen, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Family and friends greeted the arrival of the Navy’s newest ship, the amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17), as it arrived to its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk, Jan. 25.

San Antonio was commissioned Jan. 14 at Naval Station Ingleside, Texas, and will be permanently homeported in Norfolk.

“After a magnificent commissioning in Ingleside (Texas), it will feel good for the Sailors on San Antonio to get home,” said San Antonio’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Bradley Lee.

The San Antonio-class will functionally replace more than 41 ships (LPD 4, LSD 36, LKA 113, and LST 1179 classes of amphibious ships). This new class of ships will provide the Navy and Marine Corps with modern, sea-based platforms that are networked, survivable, and built to operate with 21st century transformational platforms, such as the MV-22 Osprey, the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), and future means by which Marines are delivered ashore.

“San Antonio will give the fleet commanders many more options with its versatility and capabilities. It will take expeditionary warfare to a whole new level that we have been looking forward to for many years,” said Lee.

Built at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems, Avondale Division in New Orleans, the ship is the first Navy vessel to incorporate new crew comfort features, including bunks with increased headroom and swivel-out laptop computer shelves.

According to Lee, in addition to “creature comforts,” the ship will redefine how the Navy operates.

“San Antonio will revolutionize the way that we take the fight to the enemy," said Lee. "The capabilities and flexibility of this class of ships will forever change the way we operate in the littorals [coastlines].”

Now home, San Antonio will move into the testing and initial operational phase of its life.

“Because there are so many new systems on San Antonio, we must test these systems for acceptance into the Navy to fully capitalize on the capabilities,” said Lee.

The crew of more than 360, now reunited with families and friends, can now begin to deliver the capable, cohesive and combat-ready warship that the American people expect.