WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) attended the christening of the U.S.S. Little Rock, the nation’s ninth littoral combat ship (LCS 9) in Marinette, Wisconsin on Saturday. 

“The U.S.S. Little Rock is an important tool in our Navy’s arsenal. The littoral combat ships are the newest ships in our Navy and are uniquely designed to operate in shallow waters which will aid in disaster relief operations, anti-piracy operations and routine patrolling.  This is a truly momentous occasion that I am honored to celebrate,” Boozman said. 

The U.S.S. Little Rock is designed to defeat growing threats in and near shallow waters and provide access and dominance in the coastal water. 

This is the second ship to be named after the Arkansas state capital city. The U.S.S. Little Rock (CL-92/CLG-4/CG-4) was originally a Cleveland-class light cruiser that served after World War II, and was one of six to be converted to a Galveston-class guided missile cruiser. The Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus served a two-year tour of duty aboard the U.S.S. Little Rock. This ship was decommissioned in 1976 and now holds a place of honor as a museum ship in Buffalo, New York.

Pictured with Senator Boozman at the christening of the U.S.S. Little Rock is Little Rock Mayor Mark Stodola, the ship’s captain, Commander Paul Burkhart and U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus.