The men and women of USS NEW YORK will be known after November 7, 2009 as 'plank owners' for having served aboard their ship prior to its commissioning. They've been assembling for months at Atlantic Fleet headquarters in Norfolk, VA for further assignment to the Northrop Grumman shipyard at Avondale, LA and on to the ship itself off the Gulf Coast for the sea trials that will render her operationally ready by the time she reaches New York.
As the crew grows in number so does the size and complexity of its many tasks -- from visits to New York to organize the commissioning and get acquainted with the namesake city, to deepwater cruises to test systems, equipment and components. The images on this page are a colorful record of an extraordinary group of individuals who've chosen to go in harm's way to protect and defend America's freedom.
A moment of silence and a touch of Twin Towers steel.
NEW YORK (May 21, 2009) Sailors assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) have a moment of silence for fallen New York fire fighters as they touch a steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center. The ship has 7.5 tons of World Trade center Steel in her bow. Approximately 3,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen will participate in Fleet Week New York City 2009. This week-long event will provide citizens of New York City and the surrounding tri-state area an opportunity to meet service members and also see the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Corey T. Lewis/Released)
METRO NY profile: Skipper or seaman, they call NEW YORK their home
Spotlight on a stealth ship: USS NEW YORK comes alive...
- Videos courtesy of Northrop Grumman
...with seven tons of Twin Towers steel poured into her bow.
Official U.S. Navy Photo
...and built by Northrop Grumman at Avondale, Louisiana.
Northrop Grumman photo
Laying the groundwork for community support...
SYRACUSE, Aug. 29, 2008 – (From left) Robert Haggerty, first deputy commissioner of the New York State Dept. of Agriculture and Markets, CDR F. Curt Jones, USN, prospective commanding officer of USS NEW YORK, and Dan O’Hara, director of the New York State Fair, discussed the commissioning of the warship and invited fairgoers to visit during Commissioning Week next year. Photo by LT Lesley Lykins, USN
Getting the word out to New Yorkers everywhere...
SYRACUSE, NY, Aug. 28, 2008 -- Commander F. Curt Jones, prospective commanding officer of USS New York (LPD21) describes the ship and her mission and explains the motto ‘Never Forget’ to New York State fairgoers. -- Photo by LT Lesley Lykins, USN
Times Square, NYC: Closing bell ceremony 9/11/08
On hand to ring the closing bell at NASDAQ's MarketSite in Times Square on Sept. 11, 2008 were (left to right, front row) Robert Ravitz, co-chairman of the USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee, Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England, Ship Sponsor Dottie England and Bruce Aust, executive vice president at NASDAQ OMX.
Times Square, NYC: the countdown begins
Uniformed U.S. military personnel from the New York area surrounded members of USS NEW YORK's Commissioning Committee on Sept. 11, 2008, after ship sponsor Dotty England (front row, center right) rang the closing bell. The 10-minute proceedings were projected onto NASDAQ's seven-story MarketSite screen at the landmark location. The warship will be commissioned in the city next year.
Snapshots of the warship and her many components...
USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee. Their support enables everyone to celebrate the event.