The U.S. Navy's newest destroyer, the USS Spruance, has arrived in Key West, Florida, where it will be formally commissioned next week.
The 509-foot-long Spruance is a multimission ship that will carry Tomahawk cruise missiles and two helicopters.
“It was the commanding officer's choice on where he wanted the commissioning," said Trice Denny, spokesman for Naval Air Station Key West, where the destroyer arrived. "He picked Key West because he has been here before, and he knew it would be memorable for the crew and their families."
Another reason for holding the ceremony in the southernmost city on the United States’ mainland, Denny said, is because of the ship’s name. The ship is named for Adm. Raymond Spruance, who directed aircraft carriers during the Battle of Midway in World War II.
The vessel will be open to the public on Saturday and on September 30 from 1 to 4 p.m.
After it is commissioned, the Spruance will be based in San Diego.
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what really ticks me off is that its hard to find an american flag not made in china!
There's also a big flag company in Tijuana... I'm not sure which is worse :/
I just think it is about 20 or so years past the time when our military could possibly justify still another monster boat the size of this puppy... what a waste!
Live Free or Die! This is just one of the costs of freedom, but it sure beats the alternative.
@Harpo...ironic. Yet you with the jingostic slogans are against Healthcare for your fellow Americans. Curious, you think you are defending the country but you are against defending the people.
You never need a ship like this, until you do, then you just can't order one from Amazon or the trained crew to man it.
I think I might make us some fishsticks for dinner in honor of this cool new boat. GO NAVIE !
ooops. i meant GO NAVEY !
its NAVY...
@dog catcher, ooops ya still didn't get it right, it's navy, but it's only good for a chuckel. I consider myself the worst speller this side easten sea board. And if I don't do a check, my gramer and punctuation it is very poor. Spelling's hard because US words come from so many languages.
@Jean Sartre, This ship is just symbolic, I bet it never sees any action, unless they launch some missiles. Whinston Churchhill, said, "Speak softly and carry a big stick." (Acctually, he was quoting someone else, but he made it famous.) It may do well to eliminate the designation "destroyer" and rename desigate them as missile launchers. A battleship isn't needed any longer. Sea battles are a thing of the past, not to say ships won't be attacked, but they will be attacked by guided missles and aircraft. Warfare is diffrent now.
That quote is attributed to Theodore Roosevelt. However, I'm not surprised you have forgotten him. It is all part of a stragedy to attack American history by the right wing to "erase" democratic Presidents and leaders from books, as well as rewrite civil war history as to being just about state's rights.
Teddy Roosevelt was a Republican.
Right, there are no sea battles any longer. We're attacked by missiles and aircraft. Which is what this ship is designed to defend against.
Jesus, you people have no idea what the heck you're talking about. At least go read up on ships and their intended uses on Wikipedia before you spout off nonsensical ramblings about things you don't understand.
yeah ! i dont like spelling. back in the day i was ststioned abord the USS Nemitz. They had these dogs that escapd and i had to catch em. It took 3 days but when i catched the dogs the admerel gave me a medal and shuk my hand !
This ship was just in Mayport, FL the other day. Very impressive ship!
It is made with tacos. Not cheap metal that will get all rusty. Tacos are better.
SHARKS OF THE SEA! Go NAVY!!
What ticks me off is trying to expose government waste and corruption. ONE example, the National Passport Center in Portsmouth, NH has NINE assistant directors. Each make about $120K and receive health care, life insurance, and retirement courtesy of the hardworking American taxpayers. If they show up for work (they get sick and annual leave too, but may not even use it during absences), they spend time surfing the web and reading emails.
What does this have to do with anything? Fail.
A big expensive ill-conceived piece of junk full of bug ridden technology, nothing but a money sump.
Right, we should continue to sail the same vessels that were built in the 1950's... after all, China's not building a Navy, right? Oh... they are? Nevermind then, you're stupid.
Seems like a waste of fuel to have it's commissioning in Key West, while its based in San Diego. What' the fuel consumption of a destroyer? 2 barrels a mile? If so, that would be about 10,000 barrels of JetA fuel (they're powered by gas turbines), or 550,000 gallons. Nice...
The ship was built in Maine so it doesn't seem at all like a waste of fuel but more like a nice stopping point on the way to San Diego.
Strong defence force is necessary to protect the lifestyle of the people. Lifestyle includes religious freedom, liberty and prosperity. I think US should build more such boats. Dont you see China caTCHING UP
I'm 100% with you, Pravin. The best defense is a good offense.
What a beautiful ship!! If you were not in the US Navy you would not understand. There is a huge amount of pride to serve on one of these beautiful vessels. When you visit a foreign port there usually is a large group of locals to greet the ship, and most are in awe of our military might. In most of my ports of call we were greeted with a great amount of respect and friendship. That is something you can not put a dollar value on. I couldn't think of a more fitting tribute to Admiral Spruance,GO NAVY!!!
These ships always fascinate me and give me a I feel very proud of the men and women who serve aboard them.
I think they can put a $ value on that idiot. It's called the amount we paid in taxes for your fool self to be a war mongerer.
Thor, I disagree. I was not "in" the Navy, but I completely understand.
Of course I did work for the Navy and have actually been on more ships and subs than most navy personel, but that is beside the point.
There are two types of ships. submarines and targets.
I'm sorry if you confuse military pride with warmongering, Thor.
Captain Obvious-
I hear they are looking for people like you to test the new weapons systems on... you game? Punk.
Stand down Captain. You are out of line. We told you before that if you can not play nicely we will not let you on the playground.