USS Ted Stevens commissioned in Alaska

The U.S. Navy officially commissioned the USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128), a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, during a ceremony in Whittier, Alaska. The vessel is named in honor of the late Senator Ted Stevens, a former U.S. Senator from Alaska and a World War II combat aviator.

As the second Flight III destroyer to enter active service, the ship features advanced integrated air and missile defense capabilities, including the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar. It also includes upgraded electrical power and cooling capacities to support modern weapons systems. Following its commissioning, the ship's homeport will be Norfolk, Virginia.

Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao stated the warship is prepared to safeguard national interests, while Admiral Daryl Caudle noted the vessel provides the fleet with increased capacity to track and defeat maritime threats. The commissioning ceremony was attended by Navy leadership, Alaska’s congressional delegation, and members of the Stevens family.