Built by General
Dynamics Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine,
DDG 122 will serve as a multi-mission surface combatant capable of
conducting Anti-Air Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare and Anti-Surface Warfare.
Prior to delivery, the
ship conducted a series of at-sea and pier-side trials to demonstrate
readiness. A tentative commissioning date is scheduled in November.
The ship is named after U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery
Sergeant John Basilone, who received the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary
heroism during the Battle of Guadalcanal.
“The future USS John
Basilone will bring significant capability to the fleet and strengthen our
advantage at sea,” said Capt. Seth Miller, DDG 51 Class program manager,
Program Executive Office (PEO), Ships. “DDG
122 and all of its Sailors will be a living reminder of the perseverance and
sacrifice exhibited by its remarkable namesake.”
Bath Iron Works has
six additional future Arleigh Burke-class destroyers under construction, Harvey
C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124), Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126) Patrick Gallagher (DDG
127), William Charette (DDG 130), Quentin Walsh (DDG 132) and John E. Kilmer
(DDG 134).