USS Freedom FAQ's

 What is a commissioning ceremony? 

Commissioning ceremonies are very important events for the Department of Defense and the U. S. Navy.  It represents the official acceptance of a ship by our government and with it the designation of United States Ship: “USS”.  It is viewed as the ship’s birthday and from that day forward it is placed into active service as a warship.  Ships such as FREEDOM will go on to serve our country for the next 20 – 30 years.  Several generations of sailors will deploy in her, defending our country well into the 21st century.

 

The commissioning ceremony (and related events both before and after the actual commissioning) will attract a great many senior government leaders, military officers, elected representatives, and state and local officials.  The ship’s builders also attend, along with its many subcontractors.  The event is steeped in centuries of naval tradition with much pomp and circumstance.

 

The ceremony also allows the community to view the ship up close and meet her crew.  Political and military leaders address the crew community, and afterwards, the ship’s sponsor will give the command to “Man our ship, and bring her to life”.  At that point, the ship’s crew replies in unison, “Aye, aye ma’am” and proceed to run aboard the ship.  Simultaneously, Navy Band Great Lakes will play “Anchors Aweigh”, the U.S. Navy anthem.  The ship’s engines roar to life, radars are activated, weapons systems are brought online, whistles blare, and alarms sound.  The ship is indeed “brought to life” and is ready to serve her country.

 When and where will FREEDOM be commissioned? 

Freedom will be commissioned at Veterans Park in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 8, 2008.  

 Why is FREEDOM being commissioned in Milwaukee? 

The U. S. Navy likes to have ships commissioned in various port cities throughout the United States.  This allows those communities to learn about the Navy and participate in the patriotism and nautical traditions involved in such an event.  It also exposes the crew to that port city and establishes a link between the community and the ship. 

 

Since FREEDOM is being built in Wisconsin (Marinette), it makes sense to commission her in the state that provided the labor and much of the materials to build her.  Milwaukee is the state’s largest city, and the only city along the lake with the facilities for a commissioning.  The commissioning will take place along the waterfront in Milwaukee County Veterans Park.

 Has the Navy ever commissioned a ship in Milwaukee before? 

No, this is the first time a U. S. Navy warship has been commissioned in Milwaukee.  In fact, no warship has been commissioned in the Great Lakes since at least World War II.

 Will FREEDOM be based on the Great Lakes? 

No, FREEDOM will have San Diego as its homeport.  There are no Navy warships based in the Great Lakes.  The majority of the U. S. Navy’s surface fleet is based either in San Diego, CA or in Norfolk, VA.

 Will they break a champagne bottle on the ship’s bow? 

No, the commissioning is not to be confused with the ship’s christening ceremony.  The christening ceremony is the actual naming of the ship – and the champagne bottle baptism – which takes place at the shipyard.  FREEDOM was christened on September 26, 2006 in Marinette, WI.

 Where is the ship now? 

Until she sails out later in 2008, FREEDOM is docked at Marinette Marine Shipyard as she is being finished.  She is being built there under the prime contract with Lockheed Martin.

 Can I attend the commissioning ceremony? 

The commissioning ceremony is open to the public.  However, all attendees must have a ticket for admission.   Attendees must provide identification information.  Security will be high for this event.

 What kind of ship is FREEDOM? 

FREEDOM is the first of a new class of ship, designed specifically to fight the Global War on Terrorism.  The Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) is intended to dominate the littoral, or coastal, battlespace.  New, asymmetrical threats now exist in shallow waters where larger ships and submarines cannot operate.  LCS fills this gap.

 Who is the ship’s commanding officer?  How big is the crew? 

FREEDOM  will have two crews, Blue and Gold, which will alternate operating the ship.  Each crew has a commanding officer.  Commander Mike Doran will command the Gold crew, and Commander Don Gabrielson will command the Blue crew.  Each crew will consist of 40 sailors.  These crews will be supplemented when mission packages are loaded into the ship.  FREEDOM has a total of 75 berthing spaces.

 Who pays for and organizes the commissioning ceremony? 

Working through government contractors, the Navy has a dedicated Pre-Commissioning Unit responsible for planning such events, preparing guest lists and providing basic services related to the commissioning.  In addition, local volunteers form a commissioning committee and seek private sector funding for the various receptions and activities surrounding the commissioning.  Taxpayer dollars are not used for the social and community events surrounding the ceremony.  The money raised by the commissioning committee is administered by a tax-exempt 501( c ) 3 entity, the Milwaukee Council, Navy League of the United States.  Commissioning committee members include a diverse group of well-known business and civic leaders who lend their time and talent to ensure a successful ceremony.