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Home » Military » This Article

‘Badass’ USS Omaha, Littoral Combat Ships Cheered in San Diego Commissioning

Posted by Ken Stone on February 3, 2018 in Military | 3044 Views
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A crew member of the USS Omaha runs to the ship to take her station.
A crew member of the USS Omaha runs to the ship to take her station. Photo by Chris Stone

By Ken Stone and Chris Stone

After years of political battering, high-tech and high-cost littoral combat ships like the USS Omaha commissioned Saturday in San Diego are getting high marks.

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Susie Buffett, daughter of Warren Buffett, officially declares the USS Omaha as an active ship.
Susie Buffett, the 64-year-old daughter of Warren Buffett, officially declares the USS Omaha an active ship. Photo by Chris Stone

So declared Navy Secretary Richard Spencer, who said LCS ships coming back from their first rotations were being given “straight-A’s” by the Pacific Fleet commander.

Speaking to a reported audience of 1,200 at Broadway Pier, Spencer and others defended the LCS “system.” He said the 2,300-ton, 218-foot vessel built in Mobile, Alabama — the 11th of its kind — represents an investment in the nation.

“We are moving forward … with [the shipbuilding] industry,” he said. “We must have a relationship that has shared risks producing shared benefits. And this is an example where that has come forth in spades.”

Susie Buffett — eldest child of “Oracle of Omaha” Warren Buffett, sitting in the front row — noted that an earlier speaker called the Omaha the “coolest ship in the Navy.”

She had a brawnier description for the $440 million ship: “badass.”

Medal of Honor winner and former Navy SEAL Bob Kerrey, the former senator and Nebraska governor, mentioned the ship’s earlier christening as a borrowing of European traditions.

Hundreds of Navy personnel and family members attend the commissioning of the USS Omaha.
Hundreds of Navy personnel and family members attend the commissioning of the USS Omaha. Photo by Chris Stone

The 1992 candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination said one custom not observed anymore is human sacrifice — “although I have a few candidates in mind.”

But Kerrey, 74, said the Omaha provides a good-news story “at a time when so many Americans (are hearing) the siren song of cynicism … saying that the system doesn’t work.”

He said the system produced the ship, and it wasn’t easy.

“There were setbacks,” Kerrey said. “There were opponents. There were people saying that it couldn’t get done. All of the technology in this ship didn’t exist when the project began. The Navy’s needs changed, and the design had to change as a consequence.

“So if you’re looking for an example — God knows we need them — to give you confidence in our capacity to govern ourselves, this ship should give you that confidence.”

Ship Cmdr. Michael Toth of Ridgeville, Ohio, who will leads a core crew of 70 officers and enlisted personnel, called the Omaha a beautiful ship.

“She is fast and reliable,” he said of the fourth Navy vessel to be named for the largest city in Nebraska. “She is the fastest and most maneuverable warship in the Navy inventory.”

Omaha philanthropist Buffett served as honorary sponsor of the ship, a traditional role that include her giving the order to “man our ship and bring her to life.”

“You must always remember: You will never really be alone” as you carry out your duties, she told the crew and an audience including Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert.

“Your fellow sailors will be with you, and I commit to you that thousands of us back in Omaha and throughout Nebraska will be with you as well — through thick and thin.”

Navy Secretary Spencer said the Omaha represents the strength and fortitude of her city and state.

“Like her namesake, USS Omaha is tough and ready. Built in America, this ship is ready to deliver the fight tonight,” he said — although the Union-Tribune reported it would undergo months of extensive outfitting and sea trials from its San Diego home port.

“For many people around the world, this will be the only thing they see of America,” Spencer said. “The Omaha and her crew will represent the United States Navy with great pride and diligence.”

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the Omaha represented the strong work ethic and friendliness of “synonymous with our nation’s Midwest.”

“Her leadership and her crew’s willingness to brave any future endeavor will keep our city and our nation safe,” Faulconer said.

In closing his brief remarks, Kerrey repeated one of the few things he says he remembers from officer candidate school. He wished the crew “fair winds and following seas.”

Designated LCS 12, the Omaha is the sixth of the Independence-variant design LCS, the Defense Department said.

“It is the fourth warship named for the Nebraska state capital. The first ship was a propeller-driven sloop-of-war,” the Pentagon said. “The second ship was a light cruiser, and the third Omaha was an attack submarine.”

Former Union-Tribune military writer Steve Liewer, now with the Omaha World-Herald, wrote how Ricketts said he was “exercising gubernatorial privilege” when he made skipper Toth and the entire crew admirals of the Nebraska Navy, “a tongue-in-cheek honor long reserved to the governor of the landlocked state.”

Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert speaks during the USS Omaha commissioning.
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert speaks during the USS Omaha commissioning. Photo by Chris Stone
Hundreds of military members and their families attended the commissioning of the USS Omaha.
Hundreds of military members and their families attended the commissioning of the USS Omaha. Photo by Chris Stone
Members of the U.S. Navy Band Southwest performed at the commissioning ceremony.
Members of the U.S. Navy Band Southwest performed at the commissioning ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
Downtown San Diego is seen from the bridge of the USS Omaha which was commissioned at the Broadway Pier.
Downtown San Diego is seen from the bridge of the USS Omaha, commissioned at the Broadway Pier. Photo by Chris Stone
Wall Street tycoon Warren Buffet watches at crew members of the USS Omaha run onto the newly commissioned ship.
Wall Street tycoon Warren Buffet watches at crew members of the USS Omaha run onto the newly commissioned ship. Photo by Chris Stone
Commanding Officer Michael H. Toth applauds as the U.S. flag is raised on his ship, the USS Omaha.
Omaha Cmdr. Michael H. Toth applauds as the U.S. flag is raised on his ship. Photo by Chris Stone
Adm. Scott Swift speaks about the role of the USS Omaha.
Adm. Scott Swift speaks about the role of the USS Omaha. Photo by Chris Stone
Three attendees shade their faces from the sun, using the commissioning program.
Attendees shade their faces from the sun, using the commissioning program. Photo by Chris Stone
Guests including Warren Buffett (third from the right) applaud during the ceremony.
Guests including Warren Buffett (third from right) applaud during the ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
Former Navy Sec. Ray Mabus (right) was a guest at the USS Omaha commissioning.
Former Navy Sec. Ray Mabus (right) was a guest at the USS Omaha commissioning. Photo by Chris Stone
Sailors assigned to the USS Omaha went aboard the ship after the commissioning ceremony.
Sailors assigned to the USS Omaha went aboard the ship after the commissioning ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
Navy Sec. Richard Spencer (right) greets former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerry.
Navy Secretary Richard Spencer (right) greets former Nebraska Sen. Bob Kerrey. Photo by Chris Stone
A guest at the commissioning looks at the program.
A guest at the commissioning looks at the glossy program. Photo by Chris Stone
A member of the US Naval Seacadets salutes at the beginning of the program.
A member of the Naval Sea Cadets salutes at the beginning of the program. Photo by Chris Stone
A ship officer is ready to receive the ceremonial spyglass for the USS Omaha.
A ship officer is ready to receive the ceremonial spyglass for the USS Omaha. Photo by Chris Stone
Navy Sec. Richard Spencer speaks at the commissioning ceremony.
Navy Secretary Richard Spencer speaks at the commissioning ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
The USS Omaha was commissioned on the Broadway Pier.
The USS Omaha was commissioned on the Broadway Pier. Photo by Chris Stone
Flags are stored on the bridge of the USS Omaha.
Flags are stored on the bridge of the USS Omaha. Photo by Chris Stone
Downtown San Diego is seen from the bridge of the USS Omaha.
Downtown San Diego is seen from the bridge of the USS Omaha. Photo by Chris Stone
A weapon is positioned on the USS Omaha.
A weapon is positioned on the USS Omaha. Photo by Chris Stone
The USS Omaha will be based in San Diego.
The USS Omaha will be based in San Diego. Photo by Chris Stone
The kitchen of the USS Omaha is ready for hungry sailors.
The kitchen of the USS Omaha is ready for hungry sailors. Photo by Chris Stone
A dining area on the USS Omaha is ready for the crew.
A dining area on the USS Omaha is ready for the crew. Photo by Chris Stone
Wall Street tycoon Warren Buffett watches as his daughter, Susan, the ship's sponsor, participates in the event.
Wall Street tycoon Warren Buffett watches as his daughter, Susan, the ship’s sponsor, takes part in the event. Photo by Chris Stone
A Don't Tread on Me flag flies next to the name of the ship on the deck.
A Don’t Tread on Me flag flies next to the name of the ship on the deck. Photo by Chris Stone
A member of the Navy stands guard on the tarmac of the USS Omaha. Photo by Chris Stone
Sailors on the bridge of the USS Omaha look down on the commissioning ceremony.
Sailors on the bridge of the USS Omaha look down on the commissioning ceremony. Photo by Chris Stone
‘Badass’ USS Omaha, Littoral Combat Ships Cheered in San Diego Commissioning was last modified: February 4th, 2018 by Ken Stone

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Posted in Military | Tagged Broadway Pier, Littoral Combat Ships, Susie Buffett, USS Omaha, Warren Buffett
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