Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII’s) Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced on July 28, 2023 the successful completion of acceptance sea trials for the U.S. Coast Guard‘s newest National Security Cutter (NSC), USCGC Calhoun (WMSL-759). During the trial, the ship spent time proving the ship’s systems including performing numerous tests in the areas of propulsion, electric plant, and mission systems.

«Our joint Ingalls and Coast Guard team has completed another successful sea trial, and I am pleased to say NSC-10 performed well», Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. «Our shipbuilders are now one step closer to delivering this highly capable and advanced cutter to the U.S. Coast Guard».

For over two decades, Ingalls Shipbuilding has designed and built the Coast Guard Legend-class national security cutters. These ships are capable of embarking and supporting a wide range of Coast Guard, Navy and NATO missions. National security cutters have proven to be ideal platforms for drug interdiction, global illegal fishing, disaster relief and defense support operations.

«It’s an honor to see the hard work of our shipbuilders come to fruition during a sea trial, and I couldn’t be more proud of the team», Ingalls Shipbuilding NSC Program Manager Amanda Whitaker said. «We stand ready to deliver Calhoun and provide our Coast Guard partners with this tremendous national security asset».

NSC-10 is named to honor Charles L. Calhoun, the first master chief petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard. Calhoun served in the U.S. Navy for three years during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946 as a torpedoman’s mate petty officer 2nd class. He enlisted in the Coast Guard that same year and held varying positions of leadership over the course of his career.

Ingalls has delivered nine Legend-class national security cutters to the Coast Guard further enabling their important missions around the globe.

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Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII’s) Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced on June 30, 2023 the successful completion of builder’s sea trials for the U.S. Coast Guard‘s newest National Security Cutter (NSC), USCGC Calhoun (WMSL-759). The ship successfully tested propulsion and auxiliary equipment, as well as various ship systems.

«Every successful sea trial is a major accomplishment for our shipbuilders, and the NSC team has worked hard to ensure the Coast Guard receives another highly capable and advanced cutter for the fleet», Ingalls Shipbuilding NSC Program Manager Amanda Whitaker said. «Our team will continue to prepare NSC 10 for the next set of trials and ensure that this ship will be ready to undertake the most challenging Coast Guard missions».

For over two decades, Ingalls Shipbuilding has served as the sole designer and provider of the Coast Guard Legend-class national security cutter. The flagship of the Coast Guard fleet, national security cutters are capable of embarking and supporting a wide range of Coast Guard, Navy and NATO manned and unmanned aircraft. National security cutters have proven to be ideal platforms for drug interdiction, global illegal fishing, disaster relief and defense support operations.

NSC-10 is named to honor Charles L. Calhoun, the first master chief petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard. Calhoun served in the U.S. Navy for three years during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946 as a torpedoman second class. He enlisted in the Coast Guard that same year and held varying positions of leadership over the course of his career.

Ingalls has delivered nine Legend-class national security cutters to the Coast Guard further enabling their important missions around the globe.

Facts

Ship list

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) christened Legend-class National Security Cutter (NSC) USCGC Calhoun (WMSL-759) on June 4, 2022 at the company’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division.

USCGC Calhoun (WMSL-759) is named to honor Charles L. Calhoun, the first master chief petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). Calhoun served in the U.S. Navy for three years during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946 as a torpedoman second class. He enlisted in the Coast Guard that same year and held varying positions of leadership over the course of his career.

«Today’s christening is an acknowledgement of an important and valued partnership between our shipyard and the United States Coast Guard», Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson said. «We consider it a privilege to build these magnificent ships and as shipbuilders, we are humbled to further Master Chief Calhoun’s legacy».

The keynote speaker was commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Linda Fagan, who was recently appointed to lead the United States Coast Guard and is the armed forces’ first female service chief.

«I’m super proud of the Ingalls team, I know how much heart and soul goes into building a ship like this», Fagan said. «These national security cutters are absolutely vital to our national security and economic prosperity. We are a global coast guard, forward deployed – conducting exercises with maritime forces, strengthening security partnerships and maritime governance in critical parts of the world right now».

Christina Calhoun Zubowicz, ship sponsor and granddaughter of the namesake, christened the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow.

«On behalf of the Calhoun family, I would like to extend our sincere appreciation for the tremendous work being done here at Ingalls Shipbuilding», Zubowicz said. «Rest assured that my grandfather would be admiring this ship with great pride today knowing that his name would continue his life’s work of carrying out Coast Guard missions».

United States Representative Steven Palazzo joined Ingalls Shipbuilding to celebrate the ship christening.

«The national security cutters coming out of Ingalls are contributing greatly to our national security, stemming the flow of drugs throughout our oceans, and proving that we have the best shipbuilders right here in south Mississippi», Palazzo said. «Congratulations to everyone at Ingalls on another successful christening, and I look forward to seeing the USCGC Calhoun (WMSL-759) in action».

Ingalls Shipbuilding is the sole designer and provider of the Coast Guard Legend-class national security cutter. The flagship of the Coast Guard fleet, national security cutters are capable of embarking and supporting a wide range of Coast Guard, Navy and NATO manned and unmanned aircraft. National security cutters have proven to be ideal platforms for drug interdiction, global illegal fishing, disaster relief and defense support operations.

Ingalls has delivered nine Legend-class national security cutters, and two more are under construction. Calhoun, the 10th national security cutter, is scheduled to be delivered early next year.

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Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) launched the Legend-class National Security Cutter (NSC) USCGC Calhoun (WMSL-759) on Saturday, April 03, 2022, at the company’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division. Launching Calhoun is the first of a series of significant milestone events in bringing the ship to life.

«The national security cutters are critically important to the safety and security of our country», said Kari Wilkinson, president of HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division. «I am very proud of our NSC team who continues to build efficiencies into a mature program line to deliver the Coast Guard’s most advanced cutters. Our shipbuilders are proud and honored to build these magnificent ships, and we know that this ship named after the first Master Chief Petty of the Coast Guard, Charles L. Calhoun, has special meaning for the U.S. Coast Guard».

With the assistance of tugs, Calhoun came off the floating dry dock Saturday, after first being translated via Ingalls’ rail car system. The dock was moved away from the pier and then ballasted to float off the ship.

Ingalls Shipbuilding is the sole designer and provider of the Coast Guard Legend-class national security cutter. The flagship of the Coast Guard fleet, NSCs are capable of embarking and supporting a wide range of Coast Guard, Navy and NATO manned and unmanned aircraft. NSCs have proven to be ideal platforms for drug interdiction, global illegal fishing, disaster relief and defense support operations.

Ingalls has delivered nine Legend-class NSCs, and two more are under construction. In November of 2020, the ninth NSC, USCGC Stone (WMSL-758), was delivered to the Coast Guard and proceeded to conduct an unprecedented 68-day shakedown patrol, which resulted in a drug bust within two weeks of sail away and an extensive illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing enforcement patrol off the coast of South America. Calhoun, the 10th NSC, is scheduled to be christened at Ingalls Shipbuilding in June 2022 and expected to be delivered in early 2023.

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Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division ceremonially authenticated the keel of Legend-class National Security Cutter (NSC) USCGC Calhoun (WMSL-759) on July 23, 2021.

The keel authentication, initially planned for 2020, was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

«This is a very special keel authentication ceremony for a multitude of reasons», said George Nungesser, Ingalls’ vice president of program management. «While we were able to work steadily and safely though the pandemic, visitation to the shipyard made commemorating major shipbuilding milestones a challenge. We are proud to be able to celebrate our talented shipbuilders and their successes today during this ceremonial keel laying».

Calhoun recently reached the halfway point of its construction. Ingalls is the builder-of-record for the Legend-class NSC program and has delivered nine national security cutters with two more under construction.

NSC-10 is named for Charles L. Calhoun, the first master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard. He served in the U.S. Navy for three years during World War II and was honorably discharged as a torpedoman second class in February 1946. Seven months later, he enlisted in the Coast Guard and held various leadership positions over the course of 14 years. He served as master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard from August 27, 1969 until August 1, 1973.

The sponsor of NSC-10 is Christina Calhoun Zubowicz, the granddaughter of Charles L. Calhoun.

«I want to thank the entire United States Coast Guard for this opportunity and recognize their fervent efforts in protecting America’s economic, national and border security», Zubowicz said. «May abundant divine protection, luck and blessings surround the ship: and the men and women – the shipbuilders, in crafting the new innovative national security cutter, Calhoun».

The Legend-class NSC is the most technologically advanced ship in the Coast Guard’s fleet, which enables it to meet the high demands required for maritime and homeland security, law enforcement, marine safety, environmental protection and national defense missions. NSCs are 418 feet/127 m long with a top speed of 28 knots/32 mph/52 km/h, a range of 12,000 NM/13,809 miles/22,224 km, an endurance of 60 days and a crew of 120.

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