Bougainville Ship christened at Ingalls Shipbuilding

Ingalls Shipbuilding christened the Bougainville LHA8 amphibious assault ship Saturday morning.

The ship’s sponsor Ellyn Dunford would break the bottle to celebrate the christening of the ship as the 44,000-ton ship preps for being deployed into the Navy Resource.

The ship receives its name from the World War II battle in the Soloman Islands. One of the original veterans who served in the war campaign there, Major Billy Hall, was in also attendance to commemorate the ships completion.

The amphibious assault ship in 844-feet long and will serve not only as being an asset to the Navy and Marine Corps, but as an emergency response ship during the case of a natural disaster.

The ship’s development would take nearly five years.

Secretary of the Navy Erik Raven had this to say on the hard work done by Ingalls Shipbuilding employees. “For all the men and women here on the Gulf Coast who have contributed to this incredible ship. The capabilities that they are able to build through their skills and their determination are really could not be more proud to represent the Department of the Navy. Not only continuing our relationship with these incredible shipbuilders to help keep our nation safe and secure for decades to come.”

The ship is expected to be commissioned in another year when it will officially become USS Bougainville and enter the Navy Fleet.