L to R: Dave Growden (Austal USA), Captain Gregory Mitchell (SUPSHIP Gulf Coast), Larry Ryder (Austal USA), U.S. Senator Mike Rounds (ND), Larissa Thune Hargens (Sponsor), U.S. Senator John Thune (ND), Howard Berkof (U.S. Navy), Steve Harding (Pierre, SD Mayor), Tim Wenzel (General Dynamics Mission Systems). [Photo: Austal USA]
Austal USA hosted a keel laying ceremony June 16 for the ultimate Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship to be constructed at its Mobile, Alabama, shipyard, the longer term USS Pierre (LCS 38). Ship sponsor Larissa Thune Hargens, with the help of Hon Tran, a 13-year Austal USA veteran A-class welder, authenticated the keel by welding her initials right into a keel plate that can be welded to the hull of the ship.
The future USS Pierre is the second U.S. Navy ship named for the South Dakota capital metropolis. The authentic USS Pierre (PC-1141) was a submarine chaser constructed throughout World War II.
“Keel laying represents a major milestone in the construction of a ship,” stated Dave Growden, vp of recent building at Austal USA. “While every keel laying we celebrate is special, this one has added significance as it starts to close the line of a highly successful program.”
The ceremony was broadly attended by group and Navy leaders and Austal USA shipbuilders. Notably, in a powerful assertion of assist for the longer term USS Pierre, from the South Dakota delegation, Senator John Thune and Senator Mike Rounds attended the occasion together with the Mayor of Pierre, Mayor Steve Harding.
“This is a special honor for the city of Pierre and all of South Dakota,” stated Thune. “It’s also a good day for the Navy and the men and women of our joint forces. I’m particularly humbled, of course, to have had the privilege of introducing my daughter Larissa as the ship’s sponsor – a proud dad moment.”
Hargens, a local of South Dakota, graduated from Bethel University. The name to serve runs deep in her household, Hargens is concerned with a non-profit incentive program that helps limited-income pregnant girls in Sioux Falls, her father is U.S. Senator John Thune and her grandfather was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement whereas taking part in aerial flight in Fighting Squadron 18 (VF-18) on the USS Intrepid (CV-11) throughout World War II.
“I am so honored and grateful for this incredible opportunity to sponsor the future USS Pierre,” stated Hargens. “It is a privilege to be a part of this time-honored tradition and to have my initials welded to a plate that will become a part of the ship’s keel. I look forward to participating in the important milestones throughout the life of the USS Pierre, and to building a lifelong relationship with the ship and the sailors that will make up her crew. May God bless the USS Pierre.”
Austal USA has delivered 17 LCSs to the Navy since 2009, most of which have been deployed with the Pacific Fleet. The shallow-draft ship’s steerable water jets permit for efficient maneuverability out and in of austere ports. With the Naval Strike Missile and mine counter measure functionality that has been added to the ships, they’ll conduct mine looking and mine warfare missions all through the Pacific making them a extremely functioning platform.
Pierre is deliberate for supply in late 2024 and can be homeported in San Diego, Calif., together with the opposite Independence-variant LCSs which have been delivered to the fleet.
