“As the largest employer in Mississippi, Ingalls sets the standard for the shipbuilding industry,” Kelly said after the tour. “Their commitment to the nation, building the best ships for our service members, and their talented team members are the type of dedication that makes America great.”

Kelly met with Ingalls leadership during his tour of the facility and had the chance to meet the shipbuilders on the amphibious assault ship Tripoli (LHA 7) and amphibious transport dock Portland (LPD 27). He was also reunited with Ingalls employees who were fellow veterans of the National Guard’s 890th Engineer Battalion in Gulfport.

“It is always a privilege to host one of our U.S. Congressmen so they can see the quality, pride and skills of our workforce,” said Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Cuccias. “Representative Kelly’s visit allowed him to understand the complexity of our facility and the processes it takes to build four classes of military ships simultaneously at an affordable price. We thank him for visiting our shipyard and supporting Mississippi’s shipbuilders.” Huntington Ingalls Industries is America’s largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of engineering, manufacturing and management services to the nuclear energy, oil and gas markets. For more than a century, HII’s Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs nearly 35,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit: