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Caption:
NEW ORLEANS (March 10, 2007) -- On the banks of the Mississippi River,
thousands watch from Waldenburg Park as the amphibious transport dock
ship USS New Orleans (LPD 18) joins the U.S. Navy fleet during her
commissioning ceremony Saturday, March 10, 2007. New Orleans is the
second of the San Antonio class ship, and the fourth ship to bear the
name New Orleans. New Orleans is the second ship in the Navy’s
new San Antonio class. As a critical element in future expeditionary
strike groups, the ship will support the Marine Corps mobility triad,
which consists of the LCAC (landing craft air cushion), the
expeditionary fighting vehicle, and the Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft
(MV-22). The ship also provides improved warfighting capabilities
including an advanced command-and-control suite, increased
lift-capacity in vehicle and cargo-carrying capability and advanced
ship-survivability features. The ship holds the distinction of being
the only ship in recent naval history built and commissioned in its
namesake city. USS New Orleans will be homeported in San Diego,
Calif. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class
William Townsend (RELEASED)
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