Ray Mabus Celebrates USS Milwaukee with Hometown Crowd

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus threw a ceremonial first pitch in the Milwaukee Brewers game Sept. 13 at Miller Park.

Prior to taking the field, SECNAV met with the team and congratulated them on being No. 1 in the National League. Additionally, Mabus introduced the crowd to the city’s namesake USS Milwaukee (LCS 5), a graphic of which was displayed on the park’s Jumbotron for all to see.

Attending the game was one of several activities Secretary Mabus participated in throughout the city to celebrate the naming of USS Milwaukee. Earlier in the day, SECNAV, along with the mayor of Milwaukee, hosted an event at Discovery World for Navy supporters, uniformed service members and local officials.

“I am joining the mayor in celebrating your fine city’s ship, USS Milwaukee,” said Mabus.

Throughout the day’s events, Mabus discussed the important relationship between the city and its namesake ship as well as how the LCS program benefits the Navy and the nation as a whole.

USS Milwaukee is part of a dual block buy of LCS class ships announced by Mabus in December 2010. Its fast and agile performance allows it to defeat growing littoral threats and provide access to and presence in the world’s coastal water regions. LSC provides the required warfighting capabilities and operational flexibility to execute focused missions close to the shore such as mine warfare, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare.
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Source: navy, September 15, 2011;