A Michigan City is Getting Its Own Navy Ship
One Michigan city has bragging rights, because it’s getting its own Navy ship. Yes, I’m talking about the actual United States Navy. I really can’t think of a more patriotic way to honor this Michigan town than by giving it a Navy ship. Now, maybe some other Michigan towns will get the honor down the road.
This Michigan City Has Its Own Navy Ship
During a press conference this week at the Michigan State Capitol, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced that a future Navy ship, the Expeditionary Fast Transport, EPF 16, will be named USNS Lansing. It’s in honor of Lansing, Michigan. In a statement, he said that Lansing “is a testament and monument to American ingenuity and our democratic ideals.” He added, “It is my deepest honor to announce that the next expeditionary fast transport, EPF 16, will be named USNS Lansing.”
Both Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Mayor Andy Schor of Lansing were at the event. Both of them talked about what it meant to see Lansing honored with its own Navy boat.
“On behalf of the City of Lansing and our residents, I am truly grateful that the Navy has decided to name this new vessel in honor of our city. Lansing, in addition to being Michigan’s capital, is a manufacturing hub that has proudly supplied and supported those serving this country in every conflict since the Civil War,” Mayor Schor said. “Knowing that this great tradition lives on in this new vessel is a testament to the work our residents have done to support our military throughout the years.”
Secretary Del Toro also announced that Governor Whitmer will serve as sponsor of the upcoming Navy boat. According to a release, that means she’ll “represent a lifelong relationship with the ship and crew.”
“Lansing has something for everyone and everyone has a place in Lansing,” Governor Whitmer said. “This is a diverse, inclusive city where people from around the world have come to build better lives for themselves and their loved ones.”
This ship sounds really cool, too. The Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF), according to a statement, is a “shallow draft, all aluminum, commercial-based catamaran capable of intra-theater personnel and cargo lift.” It also provides “combatant commanders high-speed sealift mobility with inherent cargo handling capability and agility to achieve positional advantage over operational distances.” I think it’s great to see Lansing get its own Navy ship, and I can’t wait to see it.
