General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard will hold an official launching and christening ceremony on May 5, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. for USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14). The ceremony will be free and open to the public, the shipbuilding firm said.
Speaking at the ceremony will be dignitaries from the United States Navy, as well as Fred Harris, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. The ceremony will culminate in the ship's sponsor ceremonially name the ship by breaking the traditional bottle of champagne against its hull.
Named in honor of the labor leader, USNS Cesar Chavez is the 14th ship of the T-AKE class of dry cargo-ammunition ships that NASSCO is building for the Navy. When the Cesar Chavez joins the fleet in 2012, its primary mission will be to deliver more than 10,000 tons of food, ammunition, fuel and other provisions to combat ships on the move at sea.
Speaking at the ceremony will be dignitaries from the United States Navy, as well as Fred Harris, president of General Dynamics NASSCO. The ceremony will culminate in the ship's sponsor ceremonially name the ship by breaking the traditional bottle of champagne against its hull.
Named in honor of the labor leader, USNS Cesar Chavez is the 14th ship of the T-AKE class of dry cargo-ammunition ships that NASSCO is building for the Navy. When the Cesar Chavez joins the fleet in 2012, its primary mission will be to deliver more than 10,000 tons of food, ammunition, fuel and other provisions to combat ships on the move at sea.