Navy to christen Lorenzen

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - The Navy will christen the missile range instrumentation ship USNS Howard O. Lorenzen on Saturday at a 1 p.m. ceremony at VT Halter Marine in Pascagoula. The ship is named in honor of the Naval Research Laboratory electrical engineer who was instrumental in the creation of the nation's electronic intelligence capabilities. Designated T-AGM 25, the ship will provide a platform for monitoring missile launches and collecting data that can be used to improve missile efficiency and accuracy. It will be operated by the Military Sealift Command and conduct missions sponsored by the Air Force. The 12,575-ton ship is 534 feet long and will have a combined crew of civilians who will operate and navigate the ship and military and civilian technicians from other government agencies who will operate monitoring equipment. (Source: DoD, 06/24/10)