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USS Murtha Commissioning
An LPD Class ship is the “Swiss Army Knife” of the Navy, these ships are a key element of the Navy's ability to deployment of the combat and support elements of Marine Expeditionary Units and Brigades. The versatile LPD 26 will be equipped with a well deck capable of embarking and debarking landing craft, air cushion, the Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV), and future means by which Marines are delivered ashore. The ship's capabilities are further enhanced by its flight deck and hangar which can operate CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters and the Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft (MV-22). The ship encompasses over 23,000 square feet of vehicle storage and is equipped to transport a landing force of up to 800 Marines and their equipment. All of which were on display for the pubic to tour aboard the ship that day. If you have never seen a formal Navy commissioning of a Naval warship you should put it on your bucket list. It has been the Navy’s tradition since 1775 to “Bring to Life” a ship marking the entrance of a Man-of War into the Naval forces of her nation. Philadelphia was picked as the venue to hold this historic event for this latest ship to join the fleet. John P. Murtha was a former Marine officer, elected to the Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District, in 1974. Murtha served as chairman and ranking minority member of the House Appropriations Committee as a major advocate for the Naval shipbuilding industry.
A number of our nation's highest ranking leaders from government to industry spoke passionately to the crowd about John Murtha as they knew him as an officer and fellow congressman including those who worked closest to him including Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and Congressman John Brady (Philadelphia district 1). These ships are not only deployed in the defense roles but also for humanitarian missions. As Brian Cuccious , President of the shipbuilder HII Ingalls announced “This morning, USS Mesa Verde LPD 19, is heading to Haiti to aid in the hurricane relief effort”. John Murtha’s daughter Donna Murtha spoke emotionally about all the people that have taken part in “Making a Difference” in bringing this great ship about. She then gave the order to bring the ship to life signaling the flag to be raised, engines turned on, radars and lights, and for the crew to “Man your Ship”, where the crew and Marines immediately ran up the gang planks and took their stations standing shoulder to shoulder ringing the deck of the ship for all to see. This magnificent display of power, technology, and capability of a young diverse group of our servicemen and women from every corner of our country demonstrated in no uncertain terms what America can do. I was personally proud to serve on this commissioning committee and that Derbyshire has manufactured so many of the mission critical components utilized on this ship and to know that we too do our part in the words of John P. Murtha (and this ships slogan), to "Make a Difference."
On the Commissioning Stage
Ms. Donna Murtha, Ship Sponsor
Congresswoman Leader Pelosi,
Congressman Brady
Congressman Rothfus
Lt. Governor Stack,
Secretary Murphy, under secretary of the Army
Admiral Moran, Vice Chief Of Naval Operations
Major General Owens,
Captain Parker and the crew of the USS John P. Murtha,
Brian Cuccias President of HII Ingalls Shipbuilding
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