BATH, Maine- The future USS John Basilone (DDG 122) was delivered to the U.S. Navy, July 8.
Delivery represents the official transfer of a ship from the shipbuilder to the Navy. Prior to delivery, the ship conducted a series of at-sea and pier-side trials to demonstrate readiness.
The ship is named after United States Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone, who received the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Guadalcanal.
“The future USS John Basilone will bring significant capability to the fleet and strengthen our advantage at sea,” said Capt. Seth Miller, DDG 51 Class program manager, Program Executive Office (PEO), Ships. “DDG 122 and all of its Sailors will be a living reminder of the perseverance and sacrifice exhibited by its remarkable namesake.”
As a Flight IIA destroyer, DDG 122 will serve as a multi-mission surface combatant capable of conducting Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare and Anti-Surface Warfare.
General Dynamics Bath Iron Works has six additional future Arleigh Burke-class destroyers under construction, Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124), Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126) Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127), William Charette (DDG 130), Quentin Walsh (DDG 132) and John E. Kilmer (DDG 134).
PEO Ships, one of the Department of Defense’s largest acquisition organizations, is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships and craft, auxiliary ships, special mission ships, sealift ships and support ships.