“I’m so happy with the entire Sailors of Jack H. Lucas, who really embody the indestructible mindset of the namesake,” mentioned Capt. Brett Oster, commanding officer of Jack H. Lucas. “They’ve labored tirelessly on all {qualifications} and certifications, setting the bar and permitting the ship to reach in San Diego to reunite with household and mates on schedule.”
The crew of the Jack H. Lucas efficiently accomplished a secure voyage from Pascagoula, Mississippi, to Tampa whereas executing important evolutions to incorporate navigation verify trip, engineering drills, and a missile launch utilizing the newest ship-based radar and weapons techniques. The ship and crew have been welcomed by 1000’s of friends who got the chance to tour the vessel in anticipation of the commissioning ceremony.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by greater than 5,000 friends together with household and mates of the crew, the local people of Tampa Bay, and distinguished officers. This occasion marked a major milestone for the vessel and her crew and served as a testomony to their dedication and onerous work.
Following commissioning, the ship continued its journey to the Pacific Ocean by efficiently transiting the Panama Canal and making stops in Rodman, Panama and Manzanillo, Mexico.
“I’m immensely happy with our extremely gifted crew, taking the ship underway per week earlier than conducting two sea and anchors in Tampa and finishing a skillful Panama Canal transit whereas en path to our homeport San Diego,” mentioned Cmdr. Matthew Kleine, government officer of Jack H. Lucas.
Upon arrival to San Diego, Jack H. Lucas was given a heat welcome from 300 family and friends members because it pulled into its new homeport for the primary time. The reception was a testomony to the robust bonds solid between the crew and their family members all through their voyage.
Within the coming 12 months, the ship will bear a collection of rigorous assessments to judge its fight readiness and effectiveness. These assessments will function a important evaluation of the vessel’s fight functionality and can be sure that the Flight III variant destroyer is able to serve within the Navy.
Constructed by Huntington Ingalls Industries in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Jack H. Lucas was launched on June 4, 2021, and delivered to the U.S. Navy March 26, 2022. The ship was commissioned in Port of Tampa, Florida on Oct. 7, 2023, after which transited to her homeport at Naval Base San Diego, California.
Arleigh Burke-class Destroyers are the spine of the U.S. Navy’s floor fleet. These extremely succesful, multi-mission ships conduct a wide range of operations, from peacetime presence to nationwide safety offering a variety of warfighting capabilities in multi-threat air, floor, and subsurface.
An integral a part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. third Fleet operates naval forces within the Indo-Pacific and gives the reasonable, related coaching essential to execute our Navy’s function throughout the total spectrum of navy operations – from fight operations to humanitarian help and catastrophe reduction. U.S. third Fleet works along with our allies and companions to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of regulation, and different rules that underpin safety for the Indo-Pacific area.
