What: HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division will host a christening ceremony for the Navy’s third America-class amphibious assault ship Bougainville (LHA 8) on Saturday, Dec. 2. This event is NOT open to the public but will be livestreamed via YouTube beginning at 8:30 a.m. Media are also invited to visit the ceremony site on Friday, Dec. 1, in advance of the ceremony. The media preview day, on Friday, Dec. 1 will offer the opportunity to capture video/photos and talk with shipbuilders, Ingalls leadership, and the ship’s sponsor, Mrs. Ellyn S. Dunford.
Who: Mrs. Ellyn S. Dunford, sponsor of Bougainville (LHA8), is the spouse of General Joe Dunford, 19th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Mrs. Dunford will be available for media interviews during the media preview day on Friday and immediately following Saturday’s ceremony. Other ceremony participants include U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and federal officials.
When:
Media Preview Day
Friday, December 1, 2023 at 11:30 A.M. – 12:30 P.M.
Media Check-in at 11:00 A.M.
Christening Ceremony
Saturday, December 2, 2023, 9:00 A.M. – 10:30 A.M.
Media check-in at 8:15 A.M
Where: Media will park at the Ingalls Shipbuilding Human Resources building located at 1000 Jerry St. Pé HWY, Pascagoula, MS, 39567 and will be transported by van to and from the event site.
RSVP: Confirmation of media attendance is required for both days. Please RSVP by noon on Wednesday, Nov. 31 and RSVP to: Kimberly Aguillard by email at [email protected] or by cell at 228-355-5663.
All media are required to present a valid ID (a picture of your ID will not be accepted). Please note that because this is an industrial setting, long pants, and flat sturdy, close-toe shoes are required.
Details: The America-class is a multi-functional and versatile ship that is capable of operating in a high density, multi-threat environment as an integral member of an expeditionary strike group, an amphibious task force or an amphibious ready group.
Bougainville is the first ship in the America class to be built with a well deck. The ship will retain aviation capabilities while adding the surface assault capability of a well deck and a larger flight deck configured for F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and MV-22 Osprey aircraft. These large-deck amphibious assault ships also include top-of-the-line medical facilities with full operating suites and triage capabilities.
LHA 8 is the second ship named in honor of Bougainville island in the Solomons. The name commemorates a successful World War II campaign enabled by close coordination between the Navy, Marine Corps and our allies. During the campaign, which lasted from 1943 to 1944, allied forces secured a strategic airfield from Japan in the northern Solomon Islands, helping the allies break the Japanese stronghold in the South Pacific.
About HII
HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HII’s mission is to deliver the world’s most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.
As the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HII’s workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, visit:
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