USS Ted Stevens joins fleet as Navy’s newest destroyer
Read more at: https://www.stripes.com/branches/navy/2026-10-04/uss-ted-stevens-commissioning-ceremony-23054078.html
Source – Stars and Stripes
A new warship has joined the Navy fleet. The Navy commissioned USS Ted Stevens, the service’s newest Flight III Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer, during a ceremony Saturday in Whittier, Alaska, according to a service news release. The ship honors Ted Stevens, a decorated World War II veteran and Alaska’s longest-serving senator, who represented the state for more than four decades. “Today, USS Ted Stevens is no longer preparing to join the fleet. Today, Ted Stevens is the fleet,” said Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao during the ceremony. “Today, USS Ted Stevens stands ready to defend the homeland, deter aggression, and when called upon, fight and win.” The ship’s sponsors are Catherine Ann, the senator’s wife, and his daughters, Susan and Lily. They gave the traditional naval order to man the ship and bring it to operational status.
“As you wake up every day, know that we and every person here believe in you to take care of this ship, take care of each other, and to uphold the peace and safety of our nation,” Lily said.
Stevens served as an Army Air Forces pilot during World War II and flew hazardous transport missions in the China-Burma-India theaters, the release said. He earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses and two Air Medals. Following the ship’s commissioning, Ted Stevens will eventually begin transiting to its permanent homeport in Norfolk, Va., according to the release.
“We are ready to answer our nation’s call. We are ready to defend freedom, whether the winds of war blow near the rugged coast of Alaska, or in the far reaches of the globe,” said Capt. Mary Katey Hayes, commanding officer of USS Ted Stevens.
