Pre-commissioning scrapbook

Men and women now assigned to USS NEW YORK will be known as 'plank owners' after November 7, 2009 for having served on the vessel prior to her commissioning. They've been assembling for months, first at the shipyard during construction, then during sea trials, and lately at Atlantic Fleet headquarters in Norfolk where she will be homeported.

As they've grown in number so have the size and complexity of the tasks they face: continuous preparations to make the ship mission-ready; shakedown cruises to test systems, equipment, components and crew; and advance visits to the city and state of New York for pre-commissioning planning and events.

This is the story of a remarkable vessel, an outstanding crew, an extraordinary journey and a grateful nation.

The amphibious transport dock ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) arrives at her home port of Naval Station Norfolk for the first time. New York is the fifth of nine San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships, but first to be named after a state instead of a city in remembrance of the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The ship has 7.5 tons of World Trade Center steel in her bow and is scheduled for commissioning on Nov. 7, 2009. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Julie R. Matyascik/Released)

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handler) Airman Hannah Marihugh directs an SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter to land on the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) during flight deck certification. New York has 7.5 tons of World Trade Center steel in her bow, and is scheduled for commissioning on Nov, 7 2009. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Corey Lewis/Released)

Aviation Boatswains Mate Handler 2nd class Dustin Shipman assigned to the amphibious transport dock ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21), directs an MV-22 Osprey to land on the flight deck. New York is conducting flight deck certifications. This flight marks the first aircraft to land on the flight deck. New York has 7.5 tons of World Trade Center steel in her bow and is scheduled for commissioning on Nov. 7, 2009. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Corey Lewis/Released)

Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Mindy Tutti prepares .50-caliber rounds for a live-fire exercise from the flight deck aboard the amphibious transport dock ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) while New York conducts sea trials. New York has 7.5 tons of World Trade Center steel in her bow and is scheduled for commissioning on Nov. 7, 2009. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Corey Lewis/Released)

Chief Gunner's Mate Richard Daue checks the barrel of an M-240 machine gun after a live-fire exercise aboard the amphibious transport dock ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) while New York conducts sea trials. New York has 7.5 tons of World Trade Center steel in her bow and is scheduled for commissioning on Nov. 7, 2009. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Corey Lewis/Released)

Fire Controlman 3rd class Mary Spell fights through an obstacle in the oleo resin capsicum (OC) qualification course in the well deck of the amphibious transport dock ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) while New York conducts sea trials. New York has 7.5 tons of World Trade Center steel in her bow and is scheduled for commissioning on Nov. 7, 2009. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Corey Lewis/Released)

Boatswain's Mate Seaman Darius Magee stands watch on the flight deck of the amphibious transport dock ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) while New York conducts sea trials. New York has 7.5 tons of World Trade Center steel in her bow and is scheduled for commissioning on Nov. 7, 2009. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Corey Lewis/Released)

Members of the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans honor guard render honors to the amphibious transport dock ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) as the ship transits the Mississippi River after departing Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in Avondale, La. New York has 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center in her bow, and is scheduled to be commissioned Nov. 7 in New York. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John P. Curtis/Released)

Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Franklin Rendo directs vehicles aboard the amphibious transport dock ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21). Sailors prepare for the command sail away from Northrop Grumman Shipyard by loading 180 personal vehicles. New York has 7.5 tons of World Trade Center steel in her bow and is scheduled to be commissioned Nov. 7 in New York. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Corey Lewis/Released)

Cmdr. Curt Jones, commanding officer of the amphibious transport dock ship Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21), addresses the crew during CO's call while on sea trails. New York has 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center in her bow and is scheduled to be commissioned Nov. 7, 2009 in New York. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Corey Lewis/Released)

Yankee Stadium, 9/11/09 -- 'We're All New Yorkers Now'

USS NEW YORK (LPD-21) and her crew are honored at an on-field pre-game ceremony in front of Yankee fans on the 8th anniversary of 9/11.

LPD-21 Skipper Curt Jones and Yankees Manager Joe Girardi swap team ballcaps.

LPD-21, Port Authority and NYPD Color Guards joined in the ceremony.

Front and center: Commanding Officer, Crewmembers, Ship's Sponsor and Commissioning Committee.

[FURTHER REPRODUCTION, ARCHIVING, DISSEMINATION OR DIGITAL EDITING OTHER THAN SCALING FOR SIZE IS PROHIBITED WITHOUT THE ADVANCE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE NEW YORK YANKEES. THESE IMAGES ARE PROTECTED BY DIGITAL WATERMARK.]

A moment of silence and a touch of Twin Towers steel.

NEW YORK (May 21, 2009) Sailors assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) New York (LPD 21) have a moment of silence for fallen New York fire fighters as they touch a steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center. The ship has 7.5 tons of World Trade center Steel in her bow. Approximately 3,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen will participate in Fleet Week New York City 2009. This week-long event will provide citizens of New York City and the surrounding tri-state area an opportunity to meet service members and also see the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Corey T. Lewis/Released)

METRO NY profile: From skipper to seaman, NEW YORK is their home

Spotlight on a stealth ship: USS NEW YORK comes alive...

On March 1, 2008, LPD-21 was christened with the name USS NEW YORK at ceremonies in Northrop Grumman's Avondale shipyard.

Hundreds of Northrop Grumman employees, deeply touched by what the ship represents, stayed in New Orleans to complete her construction despite the destruction left behind by Hurricane Katrina.

- Videos courtesy of Northrop Grumman

...with seven tons of Twin Towers steel welded into her bow.

(Northrop Grumman photos)

Coverage from Australia

The Jumbotron in Times Square

Laying the groundwork for community support...

SYRACUSE, Aug. 29, 2008 – (From left) Robert Haggerty, first deputy commissioner of the New York State Dept. of Agriculture and Markets, CDR F. Curt Jones, USN, prospective commanding officer of USS NEW YORK, and Dan O’Hara, director of the New York State Fair, discussed the commissioning of the warship and invited fairgoers to visit during Commissioning Week next year. Photo by LT Lesley Lykins, USN

Getting the word out to New Yorkers everywhere...

SYRACUSE, NY, Aug. 28, 2008 -- Commander F. Curt Jones, prospective commanding officer of USS New York (LPD21) describes the ship and her mission and explains the motto ‘Never Forget’ to New York State fairgoers.
-- Photo by LT Lesley Lykins, USN

Closing bell ceremony 9/11/08 - Times Square, New York

On hand to ring the closing bell at NASDAQ's MarketSite in Times Square on Sept. 11, 2008 were (left to right, front row) Robert Ravitz, co-chairman of the USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee, Deputy Secretary of Defense Gordon England, Ship Sponsor Dottie England and Bruce Aust, executive vice president at NASDAQ OMX.

Times Square, NYC: the countdown begins

Uniformed U.S. military personnel from the New York area surrounded members of USS NEW YORK's Commissioning Committee on Sept. 11, 2008, after ship sponsor Dotty England (front row, center right) rang the closing bell. The 10-minute proceedings were projected onto NASDAQ's seven-story MarketSite screen at the landmark location. The warship will be commissioned in the city next year.

Snapshots of LPD-21: a work in progress...

Show your support for the cause of freedom and the men and women of USS NEW YORK who will be defending it.

Show your pride in the U.S. Navy and the City and State of New York. Visit our Ship's Store for Officially Licensed Sourvenirs: Ballcaps, Posters, Mugs, Videos, Collectors' Items, T-Shitrs, other Apparel and more...

Authentic Authorized Cap

Only $27.95!

History Channel USSNY DVD

[preview]

Only $19.95!

Meet the sponsors of the
USS NEW YORK Commissioning Committee. Their support enables everyone to celebrate the event.