Motor City Welcomes Navy’s Newest Ship
USS Detroit (LCS 7) was commissioned in its namesake city of Detroit on October 22.
Adm. Phil Davidson, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, officially placed the vessel in commission. "When a ship is commissioned she is placed in service of the American people and is given the charge to do one thing: to execute the Navy's mission - to be prepared to conduct prompt, sustained combat incident to operations at sea."
"Today is about service. The service of this fine ship, those who designed and built her, those who will support her throughout her lifetime and the Sailors and officers who will make it realize its full combat capability."
Cmdr. Michael P. Desmond, who command LCS Crew 108 “Ghost Riders,” assumed command of Detroit. "USS Detroit is truly blessed to have the opportunity to commission in its namesake city. The ship and the city of Detroit have already established a relationship that will last decades."
Speakers included Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters.
"Cmdr. Desmond, I know that you and your crew have felt Detroit's immense pride that you will carry the name of our city to distant shores," said ship’s sponsor Barbara Levin, wife of former U.S. Senator Carl Levin. "Officers and crew of USS Detroit, man our ship and bring her to life!"
Detroit is a 378-foot Freedom-class variant LCS, designed to address asymmetric threats in the littoral, including mines, submarines and swarms of small fast armed boats. The ship was built by an industry team led by Lockheed martin at Fincantieri Marinette Marine Shipyard in Marinette, Wisc., right cross the Menominee River from Michigan. Many of the shipyard workers re Michiganders, Gov. Snyder noted with pride.
The ceremony took place along the promenade next to the Detroit Renaissance Center on the St. Clair River, across from the city of Windsor, Ontario. It was a celebration for the Navy, and for the city.
"This is a special day of pride," said Snyder. "It represents the comeback of the city of Detroit. Thanks for keeping us safe."
According to Mike Jenkins, a communications executive with Michigan State University and a Navy veteran, it was thrilling to see a Navy ship in downtown Detroit, and attend the commissioning ceremony.
“She’s a beautiful ship, and the crew looked sharp,” said Jenkins, a Radioman who served aboard USS Boston (CA-69) and three submarines. “The ceremony was momentous and meaningful. As a Sailor and native Michigander, I was particularly proud to see my Navy name this impressive warship in honor of the City of Detroit.”
The ship's Commissioning Committee was headed by Chairman John Peracchio, who led the community effort to welcome the ship to her namesake city. “The committee's work, spanning more than three years, was instrumental in building community support while raising funds to support the many activities that took place the week prior to the commissioning ceremony,” Peracchio said.
Many Detroit and Michigan businesses supported the commissioning week celebrations.
The ceremony’s joint color guard include U.S. Navy Sailors and Royal Canadian Mounted Police. In culmination of the international nature of the commissioning, the USS Detroit’s first port call was Windsor, Ontario, located across the Detroit River from the City of Detroit.
USS Detroit (LCS 7) will be homeported in Mayport, Fla.