HII-Pascagoula launches DDG 121

PASCAGOULA, Miss. - Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding division successfully launched the Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) guided missile destroyer Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG 121) on July 13 in Pascagoula. DDG 121 was translated via Ingalls’ rail car system to a floating dry dock. Once on, the dry dock was moved away from the pier, and it was ballasted down to float the ship. To date, Ingalls has delivered 30 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers to the Navy, most recently delivering USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114). Three other destroyers are under construction at Ingalls: Paul Ignatius (DDG 117), Lenah H. Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) and Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125). DDG 121 honors Frank Emmanuel Petersen Jr., who was the Marine Corps’ first African-American aviator and general officer who flew more than 350 combat missions during the Korean and Vietnam wars. (HII-Pascagoula 07/16/18)