JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Naval Station Mayport welcomed the arrival of its newest addition, the future USS St. Louis. It’s the Navy’s 22nd littoral combat ship.
Typically these latest-generation high-tech ships are small-surface vessels designed for near-shore operations, but the USS St. Louis can also be deployed for open ocean missions.
A spokesperson for the naval station said the vessel is a fast, maneuverable, focused-mission platform. It can be used to defeat asymmetric “anti-access” threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft.
The ship is also equipped with state of the art technology, including advanced sonar and mine-hunting systems. The addition is considered a major contribution. It is expected to provide a more diverse set of options for commanders across the spectrum of operations.
“Anytime you get to commission a new ship, it’s very very exciting just because you’re introducing a new warship to the fleet,” Cmdr. Kevin Hagan, commander for the new ship. “It takes a lot of work to get it done, to get it ready to go, and this crew has been outstanding in getting in ready to go. And being back in Mayport, it’s kind of a milestone in that we are being part of the fleet here in Mayport.”
The St. Louis is the 11th ship to bear the name of Missouri’s major port city.