USS Jackson christened Saturday

MOBILE, Ala. -- The Navy will christen its newest littoral combat ship, the future USS Jackson (LCS 6), in a ceremony at the Austal USA Shipyard here Saturday at 10 a.m. CDT. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, a native of Mississippi, will deliver the principal address and Dr. Katherine Holmes Cochran will serve as the ship's sponsor. Cochran is the daughter of Mississippi U.S. Senator Thad Cochran. LCS 6 is the first U.S. Navy vessel christened in tribute to the capital city of Mississippi, and honors the state's deep ties to the U.S. Navy and the shipbuilding industry. Jackson will continue to undergo outfitting and testing at Austal USA. The ship is expected to deliver to the Navy in early 2015 following acceptance trials. (Source: DoD, 03/20/14)