Congressman Dave Loebsack today welcomed the decision by the United States Navy to name a littoral combat ship after Sioux City. Loebsack was born and raised in Sioux City before moving to Eastern Iowa. In addition to the USS Sioux City, four other ships were named today.
“The naming of the littoral combat ship after Sioux City honors Iowans’ legacy of service to our nation and the hard working men and women of our great state who have always been strong supporters of those serving in the military,” said Loebsack. “Having been born and raised there, the people of Sioux City, and our entire state, deserve this recognition and I am proud to call it home.”
Secretary of the Navy, Ray Mabus, announced today the names of the next five Navy ships. It included two littoral combat ships (LCS), the USS Sioux City and the USS Omaha; and three Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyers, the USS John Finn, the USS Ralph Johnson, and the USS Rafael Peralta. The USS Sioux City and the USS Omaha will be outfitted with reconfigurable payloads, called mission packages, which can be changed out quickly as combat needs demand. These mission packages are supported by special detachments that will deploy manned and unmanned vehicles and sensors in support of mine, undersea and surface warfare missions.
The USS Sioux City will be 378 feet in length, have a waterline beam of 57 feet, displace approximately 3,000 tons, and make speed in excess of 40 knots.
