In two days the state-of-the-art amphibious landing craft USS New York will be commissioned at Pier 88 on Manhattan's west side -- 12th Ave. at W. 48th St.
From flight deck to crew quarters, the L(anding) P(latform) D(ock)s are the most advanced sea-faring machines in terms of design and technology, effectively replacing four older classes of amphibious landing craft.
This modern-day behemoth is 111 feet longer than her battleship namesake. She will carry sea-based platforms, including:
* The V-22 tilt-rotor Osprey aircraft
* Three types of helicopters
* 14 expeditionary fighting vehicles (EFVs) and/or several air-cushioned landing craft (LCACs) for across-the-beach deployments of U.S. Marine Corps and Special Forces personnel.
USS New York prepares to take to the open sea
Furthermore, the USS New York features:
* Bow stem includes seven and a half tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center's twin towers
* Construction with World Trade Center steel was encouraged by Governor George Pataki of New York and Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City
* Name given by then Secretary of the Navy Gordon England
* Keel was laid on August 2004
* 1,200 Louisiana workers stayed to keep building the ship after Hurricane Katrina hit the shipyard in August 2005
* Ship was christened at Northrop Grumman's Avondale shipyard on March 1, 2008
* Motto: "Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget."
What are your thoughts on this new branch of enforcement? Do you have a history with the United States Navy? Are you retired from or do you have a family member currently enlisted? Tell us your story.
GO!
* Bow stem includes seven and a half tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center's twin towers
* Construction with World Trade Center steel was encouraged by Governor George Pataki of New York and Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City
* Name given by then Secretary of the Navy Gordon England
* Keel was laid on August 2004
* 1,200 Louisiana workers stayed to keep building the ship after Hurricane Katrina hit the shipyard in August 2005
* Ship was christened at Northrop Grumman's Avondale shipyard on March 1, 2008
* Motto: "Strength forged through sacrifice. Never forget."
What are your thoughts on this new branch of enforcement? Do you have a history with the United States Navy? Are you retired from or do you have a family member currently enlisted? Tell us your story.
GO!
She is stationed at Naval Station Norfolk, which is the largest Naval station in the world. I understand that the USS New York will be moving to Nofolk at some point so I'm hoping we can go look at it next time we go to see our daughter.
She returned to the U.S. this summer from her first deployment which was a NATO antiterrorism mission with Navies from several other countries including Germany, Italy, and England.
Some ports she visited were in Italy, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Isreal, Egypt, and Crete.
One of the biggest benefits I can see to her having joined the Navy is the growth I've seen in her. It began in "boot camp" and has continued with every month she serves.
For the young people here who feel like your life is going nowhere, if you have an adventurous spirit and want to give your future a jumpstart, consider the Navy. Contact Officer David Harris in Macon at the Navy Recruiting Center. He will mentor you closely.
Although I miss my daughter fiercely at times, I raised her to leave me someday. Right now, I know she's in good hands, she's earning good money and she's also earning money for her education.
I'm a proud Navy Mom.