The future USS CORONADO (LCS-4) embarked upon her journey from Mobile, AL on January 27 en route to her namesake city of Coronado, where she will be commissioned on April 5. The newest littoral combat ship in the Independence class, her tri-maran hull design with its shallow draft enables her to operate in coastal water (littoral) close to shore with speeds above 40 knots as well as on the open ocean. Outfitted with “mission packages,”which can be reconfigured to change out quickly, she can support mine, undersea, and surface warfare missions. Her two crews: the Blue and the Gold will periodically rotate the duties of operating the ship. Packages include manned and unmanned helicopters and underwater craft as well as additional crew. After a ten-day maintenance stop in Mayport, FL, she will travel through the Panama Canal on her way to California waters.
The USS CORONADO (LCS-4) was christened in 2012 by former Councilwoman Susan Keith, whose mother, Eleanor Ring, had christened a previous USS CORONADO ( AGF-11) in 1966. The Commissioning event is expected to draw 5,000 to 6,000 attendees including a number of dignitaries, some representing the office of the Secretary of the Navy. Coronado residents are invited to attend the festivities. More will follow on participation opportunities and also on reports of the ship’s progress.
