U.S. Navy has put off the christening of the future USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) originally scheduled for Oct. 19 postponing it to a future date.
“ It is incredibly unfortunate that we are being forced to cancel the christening ceremony for this great warship ,” said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus , “ but the ongoing government shutdown prevents us from being able to honor Admiral Zumwalt’s memory with a ceremony befitting his and his family’s legacy of service to our Nation and our Navy.”
The future USS Zumwalt, the lead ship of the DDG 1000 class, is scheduled for delivery in fiscal year 2014, with an initial operating capability in fiscal year 2016.
Zumwalt class ships are tailored for sustained operations in the littorals and land attack, and will provide independent forward presence and deterrence, support special operations forces, and operate as an integral part of joint and combined expeditionary forces.
The Navy is in coordination with the Zumwalt family and General Dynamics – Bath Iron Works to reschedule the christening ceremony.
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Press Release, October 14, 2013