The long-awaited commissioning ceremony for the future USS Coronado is scheduled to take place Saturday morning at Naval Air Station, North Island.
As Home Post previously reported, the Navy's newest littoral combat ship arrived in San Diego on March 6. En route to its homeport, the Coronado made port visits in Guantanamo Bay, Colombia, Panama, and Mexico.
It even had a close encounter with a pod of gray whales in Dana Point, off the coast of Orange County. (Video of that engagement below.)
Navy Secretary Ray Mabus said of the upcoming ceremony:
“The commissioning of USS Coronado is a celebration of the history of the great city of Coronado and its lasting relationship with our Navy and Marine Corps. The sailors aboard LCS 4 will bring this mighty warship to life with their skill and dedication, honoring her namesake and our nation for years to come.
“When she sets sail for distant shores, Coronado, and ships like her, will have a vital role maintaining freedom of the seas, and providing naval presence in the right place, all the time.”
- The commanding officer of the Gold Crew is Cmdr. Shawn Johnston.
- The ship weighs 2,790 tons and is 417 feet in length.
- It uses two gas turbine and two diesel engines "to power four steerable water jets to speeds in excess of 40 knots."
The Coronado Eagle & Journal reports all guests planning to attend the commissioning ceremony must have tickets and personal identification with them. They must arrive by 8:30 a.m. on Saturday at NAS North Island and enter the base at the VADM Stockdale Gate.
The ceremony will begin at 10:00 a.m.
Now, here's that incredible whale footage...
