SHAHEEN WELCOMES NAVY DECISION TO NAME NEW COMBAT SHIP AFTER THE CITY OF MANCHESTER

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) welcomed news today that the United States Navy will be naming a new Littoral Combat Ship USS Manchester in recognition of Manchester, New Hampshire.  Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus personally called Shaheen this morning to give the news and inform her that the ship’s expected completion date would be August 2016.

“The naming of USS Manchester is a tremendous honor for the city of Manchester and a testament to the incredible work carried out by New Hampshire’s men and women who serve in uniform,” said Shaheen, a member of the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Committee. “The Queen City of New Hampshire, Manchester is an economic engine of Northern New England and a vibrant, innovative hub for the Granite State. Congratulations to Manchester on this wonderful honor.”

Littoral combat ships are surface combat vessels designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. They are designed to defeat threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft. More information can be found here.

Earlier this year, Shaheen received the Navy's Distinguished Public Service Award, the Navy's highest civilian honor for non-navy civilians, for her commitment to the Navy and Marine Corps.