laststandonzombieisland

Back in early March, I visited Pascagoula and saw Ingalls’s dry dock uncharacteristically empty and a land-locked DDG, possibly the future USS George M. Neal (DDG 131), nudging very close to the ramp behind PCU USS Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129). 

Then, on 26 March, the dock was filled with Neal!

(To the far left by the mud lumps between Ingalls’ West Bank and Singing River Island). Photo by Chris Eger

Now, I can report that the fourth Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyer built by Ingalls is waterborne, launched on 1 April (no fooling).

DDG 131 is named for AMM3 George Milton Neal, a Korean War veteran who earned the Navy Cross for his heroic actions with HU-1 while attempting to rescue a fellow service member under enemy fire.

As noted by Ingalls:

“Launching DDG 131 is a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of our Ingalls shipbuilders,” said Chris Brown, Ingalls Shipbuilding DDG 51 program manager. “Seeing the ship reach the water for the first time is a proud moment for everyone involved and a real testament to the people who make this work possible for our U.S. Navy.”

As a Flight III Arleigh Burke‑class destroyer, DDG 131 represents the next generation of surface combatants for the U.S. Navy, featuring the Flight III AN/SPY-6 (V)1 radar system and the Aegis Baseline 10 combat system, designed to counter threats well into the 21st century.