HII authenticates LPD 29’s keel

PASCAGOULA, Miss. – Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division in Pascagoula authenticated the keel of the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock Richard M. McCool Jr. (LPD 29) on April 12. Ship's co-sponsors Shana McCool and Kate Oja, granddaughters of Richard M. McCool Jr., declared the keel to be "truly and fairly laid." McCool, who received the Medal of Honor for gallantry beyond the call of duty, commanded an infantry landing support craft during the Battle of Okinawa in WWII. HII-Pascagoula has delivered 11 San Antonio-class ships to the Navy, and has two, including McCool, under construction. Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) will launch in 2020 and is scheduled for delivery in 2021. The San Antonio class is the latest addition to the Navy’s 21st century amphibious assault force. (Source: HII-Pascagoula 04/12/19)