Harrisburg (LPD 30) Christening

CHRISTENING CEREMONY

Ingalls Shipbuilding will christen San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship Harrisburg (LPD 30) on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Click here to watch.

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Namesake

Named after the capital city of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg (LPD-30) will be the U.S. Navy’s 14th San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship and the first Flight II in the class.

The city of Harrisburg has played a key role in the development of the nation’s industrial history from its origins as a trading outpost to the present. It also played a critical role in American history during the Westward Migration, the American Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution.

For part of the 19th century, the building of the Pennsylvania Canal and later the Pennsylvania Railroad allowed Harrisburg to become one of the most industrialized cities in the Northeast.

During the American Civil War, Harrisburg served as a significant training center for the Union Army, making it a target for Confederate troops.

Harrisburg will be the second ship in naval service named after the city of Harrisburg, Pa. However, it joins more than 30 others that have been named after cities, places and people in Pennsylvania, including the Pittsburgh (LPD 31), which is also currently in production at Ingalls.

Ingalls is building the Flight II LPD 17 San Antonio-class of ships, the newest addition to the Navy’s 21st-century amphibious assault force. LPD Flight II replaces the Whidbey Island class and the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ships. Amphibious transport docks are used to transport and land Marines, their equipment, and supplies by embarked Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft (MV-22). These ships support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions and serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious operations.

Ingalls has delivered LPDs 17-29 and currently has two Flight II LPDs under construction including Harrisburg (LPD 30), which launched in October 2024, and Pittsburgh (LPD 31). Pre-construction activities are currently underway for the construction of Philadelphia (LPD 32). Additionally, in September 2024, the Navy awarded Ingalls a contract for the construction of three more San Antonio-class amphibious ships (LPD 33 – 35).

Ship Sponsors

Mrs. Alexandra Curry

Ship Sponsor

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Alexandra Curry is originally from Slatington, Pennsylvania, a very small town in eastern Pennsylvania. Slatington is where she grew up, graduated from high school, and eventually met her future husband, Jim Curry.

Following college, Alexandra and Jim, her then fiancé, found themselves looking for job opportunities that the Slatington area could not provide. Harrisburg opened its arms and was chosen as the community to establish their roots, marry, pursue their careers, and eventually raise their children. Since small towns were where they found comfort, Middletown, right outside of the city of Harrisburg, felt like home.

Alexandra is a mother of two boys, Jimmy (11) and Jude (6). She oversees talent acquisition for Covered Insurance, a digital insurance marketplace located in Denver, Colorado. She spends her spare time enjoying moments with her husband and boys, renovating their colonial home, camping, and being with family and close friends.

Mrs. Jennifer Díaz

Ship Sponsor

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Jennifer Díaz has dedicated her life to serving others, bringing her compassion and leadership to every role she undertakes. Born and raised in central Pennsylvania, just 50 miles from Harrisburg, Jennifer developed a deep sense of community and service from a young age by participating in organizations like the Girl Scouts and 4H. She is a proud alumna of Lycoming College, where she graduated in 2007.

Currently, Jennifer serves as the Director of Major Gifts for The Salvation Army in Philadelphia. In this role, she leverages her expertise and passion for philanthropy to support critical programs that uplift individuals and families in need.

Jennifer is also an active and committed volunteer within her community. She serves as Secretary for the Residents of Shawmont Valley Civic Association, contributes her time as a board member of the Philly Goat Project, and supports community initiatives through her work with the nonprofit Action Tank.

With a legacy of Naval service rooted in her family — her mother, Gail Switzer, devoted nearly 30 years as a Navy civilian with Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg, her brother Noah served as a submariner, and her husband, Chris Díaz, a former Navy hospital corpsman with the Marines and now Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy — Jennifer embodies the spirit of dedication to others in both her professional and personal life.

Jennifer lives in Philadelphia with her husband, Chris, and their beloved dog, Upa. She is grateful to have helped raise her step-son, Rain.

Jennifer continues to inspire those around her with her unwavering dedication to making a difference.

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Mrs. Monica Peters

Matron of Honor

Monica Peters grew up in a small Pennsylvania town called Slatington. She graduated from high school and had her first office job in that same little town. Eventually, she fell in love and married a high school classmate, Mike Peters. They bought a home there in Slatington, where they raised their two children Alexandra and Dylan who also graduated from their same high school.

For the last 27 years, Monica has been employed by Hobbie Professional Staff Management as the Payroll Administrator. Her hobbies include bicycling the trails and camping. Her favorite thing to do is to spend every spare moment with her family and cheering on their three grandchildren, Maddie, Jimmy, and Jude in everything they do.