The U.S. Navy will commission its newest warship, the future USS Pierre (LCS 38), in Panama City, Florida, on November 15.
The Independence-variant littoral combat ship is the 19th and final vessel of its class to be constructed.
The ship’s naming honors the citizens of Pierre, the capital of South Dakota, and the state’s enduring support for the Navy and Marine Corps. At the commissioning ceremony, South Dakota native Larissa Thune Hargens will serve as ship sponsor and deliver the traditional order: “man our ship and bring her to life!” The commissioning pennant will be hoisted at that moment, formally placing the ship into active service.
The Navy said Pierre is the third ship to carry the city’s name. The SS Pierre Victory, a Victory-class cargo ship, earned distinction during World War II by downing a kamikaze aircraft near Okinawa. Another namesake, PC-1141, a submarine chaser of the PC-461 class, served under the name USS Pierre after being commissioned in 1943 before decommissioning in 1958.
Following its commissioning, the USS Pierre will sail to its homeport in San Diego, where it will join the fleet under Commander, Naval Surface Force, Pacific Fleet. The command’s mission is “to man, train, and equip the Surface Force to provide fleet commanders with credible naval power to control the sea and project power ashore.”
The littoral combat ship program was designed to deliver fast, agile, mission-focused vessels suited for operations close to shore. LCS platforms are armed for anti-surface, anti-submarine, and mine countermeasure missions and can operate independently or as part of a larger, networked force. The ships are intended to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control, and deterrence in contested regions.
The Independence-variant, built with an aluminum trimaran hull form, has been fielded alongside the Freedom-variant since the LCS program began. While the program has faced challenges, the Navy has integrated the ships into a variety of missions. Pierre’s commissioning represents the closing of the Independence production line, with the vessel expected to carry out assignments in the Pacific theater.
The Navy noted that the commissioning ceremony will emphasize both tradition and the enduring connection between the people of South Dakota and the fleet.