Commissioning of the amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LPD 24) in Norfolk, Va.

: Posted On Sunday, 07 April 2013 19:44

Naval Forces News - USA

Commissioning of the amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LPD 24) in Norfolk, Va.

On April 6, 2013, Ingalls Shipbuilding and Huntington Ingalls Industries celebrated the commissioning of the amphibious transport dock Arlington (LPD 24) in Norfolk, Va. Arlington is the eighth ship in the LPD 17 class and the third ship named for Arlington County, Va., home of the Pentagon. Arlington is one of three Ingalls-built ships that honors the heroes of 9-11, along with USS New York (LPD 21) and Somerset (LPD 25).

NORFOLK (April 6, 2013) Sailors and Marines assigned to the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) man the rails and bring the ship to life during its commissioning ceremony. Arlington was named for Arlington County, Va., and honors first responders and the 184 victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack on the Pentagon. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tony D. Curtis/Released)

The ship is named for the county of Arlington, Va. and honors the first responders and the 184 victims who died when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon Sept. 11, 2001.

"LPD 24 bears a name of great significance to our Navy and Marine Corps team," wrote the ceremony's keynote speaker, Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James Amos, in his congratulatory letter to the ship.

"LPD 24 will forever represent the courage, devotion and teamwork that characterized our military and first responders on that modern day of infamy."

Arlington is the eighth in the Navy's San Antonio class of ships, designed to be the most survivable amphibious vessels ever put to sea. The ship combines 21st century amphibious shipbuilding and warfighting technologies to support current and future Marine Corps aircraft and landing craft, capable of transporting nearly 1,200 Sailors and Marines into harm's way.