San Diego greeted USS John P. Murtha as it completed its maiden voyage Friday.
The crew of the newest U.S. Navy ship arrived at Naval Base San Diego to crowds of family and friends.
The amphibious transport dock ship was built in Mississippi in the Gulf of Mexico. After four years of construction and sea trials, USS Murtha set sail in August for its new homeport in San Diego.
Four hundred sailors were on board. They are known as plankowners since they are part of the commissioning crew. That’s a special honor not all U.S. Navy personnel get to experience in their careers.
“Being a plankowner is awesome,” said Ensign Payton Kaleiwahea. The camaraderie and the family – that’s something different.”
The ship was named in honor of Congressman John P. Murtha who served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 20 years and represented the state of Pennsylvania from 1974 until his death in 2010.
