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Link to Article: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/564609/navy-announces-future-uss-ted-stevens-commissioned-whittier-alaska PASCAGOULA, Miss. (May 8, 2026) — The Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer Ted Stevens (DDG 128) departed HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division today enroute to its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia ahead of its future commissioning in Whittier, Alaska. “The sail-away of Ted Stevens reflects the strong momentum of our Flight III destroyer deliveries and the team’s work to deliver the most capable and combat ready ships to the fleet,” said Chris Brown, Ingalls Shipbuilding DDG 51 program manager. “Seeing DDG 128 depart Ingalls is a proud moment for us all, and we are honored to support the Navy with a ship that will strengthen U.S. maritime security for decades to come.” DDG 128 is the second Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer built and delivered by Ingalls. The ship represents the next generation of surface combatants, featuring the Flight III AN/SPY-6(V)1 radar system and the Aegis Baseline 10 combat system designed to counter evolving threats well into the 21st century. Ingalls Shipbuilding currently has five additional Flight III destroyers under construction, with seven more in early pre-planning and material procurement phases. To increase throughput and meet growing demand from the Navy, Ingalls is executing a distributed shipbuilding initiative, partnering with shipyards and fabricators beyond the company’s traditional labor market to improve schedule performance across all programs. In 2026, HII plans to outsource more than 2.5 million hours of shipbuilding work, while expanding its structural assembly network of assembly partner companies, enabling more work to be completed outside the shipyard before final assembly. To date, Ingalls has delivered 36 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, including the first Flight III, USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), and Ted Stevens (DDG 128). Flight III destroyers currently under construction include Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131), Sam Nunn (DDG 133), Thad Cochran (DDG 135), and John F. Lehman (DDG 137). Ships in pre-planning include Telesforo Trinidad (DDG 139), Ernest E. Evans (DDG 141), Charles French (DDG 142), Richard J. Danzig (DDG 143), Intrepid (DDG 145), Robert Kerrey (DDG 146), and Ray Mabus (DDG 147).     SUPPORT TODAY Flight III Destroyer Ted Stevens (DDG 128) Sails Away from HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding

Link to Article: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/564609/navy-announces-future-uss-ted-stevens-commissioned-whittier-alaska WHITTIER, ALASKA, UNITED STATES 05.06.2026 Story by Julie Ann Ripley  Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet The U.S. Navy will commission the future Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128) in Whittier, Alaska. The ship is named in honor of Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska in recognition of his military service, advocacy for Alaska statehood, and 40 year tenure in the United States Senate. A World War II Army Air Corps veteran who earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals, he moved to Alaska and became a champion of Alaska statehood. He later served in the U. S. Senate from December 1968 until January 2009, where he served as the president pro tempore in the 108thand 109thCongresses and was the third U.S Senator to hold the title of president pro tempore emeritus. In the Senate, Stevens promoted national security, worked to strengthen our military with modern weapons, new facilities, and improved pay and benefits. The selection of Whittier also recognizes Alaska’s vital maritime tradition and the long history between the Navy and Alaska. The ship’s sponsors are Mrs. Catherine Ann Stevens, Senator Stevens’ wife, and his daughters, Mrs. Susan Stevens Covich and Mrs. Lily Stevens Becker. Following its commissioning, the future USS Ted Stevens will be homeported Norfolk, Virginia. Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers feature the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar and incorporate upgrades to electrical power and cooling capacity plus additional associated changes to provide enhanced warfighting capability to the Fleet. The commissioning date will be announced at a later time. The mission of Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet (CNSP) is to man, train, and equip the Surface Force to provide fleet commanders with credible naval power to control the sea and project power ashore. For more news from Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visithttps://www.surfpac.navy.mil/. SUPPORT TODAY

PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE U.S. Navy Approves USS Ted Stevens (DDG128) Commissioning Ceremony for Whittier ANCHORAGE, Alaska, 12 March 2026 – Secretary of the Navy John Phelan has formally approved USS Ted Stevens (DDG128) to be commissioned in Whittier, Alaska. The commissioning ceremony is currently anticipated to take place Fall 2026. U.S. Navy ship commissioning’s are rare in Alaska. The last one held in the state was May 4, 2013, when the USS Anchorage (LPD 23) was commissioned at the Don Young Port of Alaska. A Commissioning is a time-honored naval tradition that marks the moment a ship officially enters the fleet of the United States Navy. The ceremony will celebrate the sailors who will serve aboard the ship and honor the legacy of the vessel’s namesake, the late U.S. Senator TedStevens, who represented Alaska for four decades and was one of the longest-serving Republican senators in U.S. history. “Hosting the commissioning of the USS Ted Stevens (DDG128) in Alaska is a profound honor for our State,” said Representative Chuck Kopp who serves as Vice President of the USS Ted Stevens Commissioning Committee. “Senator Stevens dedicated his life to strengthening America’s national defense and advocating for Alaska. Bringing this ship to life in Alaska reflects his enduring legacy and the strong connection between Alaska and the United States military.” The USS Ted Stevens (DDG128) is the newest and most advanced Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, once commissioned will be the most powerful warship in the fleet. Ships of this class are designed to conduct a wide range of missions including air defense, ballistic missiledefense, anti-submarine warfare, and surface combat operations. The commissioning ceremony is expected to draw the ship’s crew and their families, senior military leaders, elected officials, dignitaries, prominent Alaskans and visitors from across the country, marking a historic moment for Alaska’s maritime and military communities. Additional details regarding the official commissioning date, public events, and opportunities for Alaskans and visitors to support and participate in commissioning week activities will beannounced in the coming months. For more information, please visit the USS Ted Stevens Commissioning Committee website at usstedstevens.org. You may sign up to receive notifications as announcements are made.   Media Contacts:Cherie Curry, Presidentcherie@usstedstevens.org Miles Baker, Public Affairs Chairjoinus@usstedstevens.org   USS Ted Stevens Commissioning Committee 821 N Street, Suite 103, Anchorage, AK 99501 SUPPORT TODAY