LCS to be named Jackson, Montgomery

MOBILE, Ala. - Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said today that the next two Freedom-class littoral combat ships to be built in Alabama by Austal USA will be named the USS Jackson and the USS Montgomery. The two ships are part of a dual block buy of LCS class ships announced by Mabus in December 2010. The selection of Jackson, designated LCS 6, honors the state capitol in Mississippi and is the first ship to bear the city's name. The selection of Montgomery, the capitol of Alabama, designated LCS 8, honors Alabama's capital. This is the second ship to bear the city's name. (Source: DoD, 03/25/11)