The crew of the Navy’s newest littoral combat ship, USS Kingsville (LCS 25), brings the ship to life during its commissioning ceremony, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Corpus Christi, Texas. (Nicholas V. Huynh/US Navy)

The USS Kingsville, one of the last Independence-class littoral combat ships built for the Navy, was christened Saturday in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Commander Ludwig Mann III, the Kingsville’s commanding officer, reported that the ship was manned and ready, and the ship’s sponsor gave the traditional order, “Man our ship and bring her to life!” A T-45C aircraft from Training Squadron 21 at Kingsville Airfield flew over the heads of the crew as they ran aboard the ship.

Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Financial Management and Comptroller Russell Rumbaugh delivered the keynote address at the commissioning ceremony. Also speaking at the ceremony were Vice Admiral Brad Skillman, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration, Capabilities and Resources, U.S. Representatives Vicente Gonzalez Jr. and Michael Cloud, Kingsville Mayor Sam Fugate and Corpus Christie Mayor Paulette Guajardo.

“This experience is unique and should be cherished. You will create a culture that I am sure will endure as Kingsville style for decades to come,” Skillman said. “…I also know that you and the crew are ready to go out and take on the responsibilities of the Navy and the country around the globe. Tough and confident, go get it.”

The crew of the Navy’s newest littoral combat ship, USS Kingsville (LCS 25), brings the ship to life during its commissioning ceremony, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Corpus Christi, Texas. (Nicholas V. Huynh/US Navy)

Spectators watch the commissioning ceremony of the Navy’s newest littoral combat ship, USS Kingsville (LCS 36), Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Corpus Christi, Texas. (Nicholas V. Huynh/US Navy)

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Russel Rumbaugh delivers remarks during the commissioning ceremony of the Navy’s newest littoral combat ship, USS Kingsville (LCS 36), Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Corpus Christi, Texas. (Nicholas V. Huynh/US Navy)

The crew of the Navy’s newest littoral combat ship, USS Kingsville (LCS 25), brings the ship to life during its commissioning ceremony, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Corpus Christi, Texas. (Nicholas V. Huynh/US Navy)

Kingsville, the 18th Independence-variant LCS, is the first ship to bear the name and pays homage to the town of Kingsville and the King Ranch. The ship’s sponsor is a sixth-generation member of the King Ranch family, descendants of steamboat captain Richard King, who founded the King Ranch in Kingsville in 1853. The King Ranch continues to maintain a relationship with Naval Air Station Kingsville, established in 1942 and located three miles from the town center.

The Kingsville is a 422-foot aluminum-hulled trimaran that the Navy says is designed for use in shallow, nearshore waters, primarily for mine detection and neutralization and to provide maritime security. Independence-class LCSs can travel nearly 50 miles per hour in ideal sea conditions, making them among the fastest ships in the Navy.

The ships will be integrated into joint manned and unmanned teams to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control and deterrence missions around the globe.

Many LCS will be replaced by the new Constellation-class frigates currently being developed by the Navy. The first of these ships will not be operational until 2027 at the earliest.

The home port of the USS Kingsville is San Diego.

Contributors: The San Diego Union-Tribune.

The crew of the Navy’s newest littoral combat ship, USS Kingsville (LCS 25), brings the ship to life during its commissioning ceremony, Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, in Corpus Christi, Texas. (Nicholas V. Huynh/US Navy)