Coast Guard Takes Possession of 3rd National Security Cutter

Irwin Edenzon, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding and Coast Guard Rear Adm. John Korn, assistant commandant for Acquisition, mark the preliminary acceptance of the Coast Guard’s third National Security Cutter, Stratton, during an “In-Commission Special” ceremony Friday in the Huntington Ingalls Indsutries’ shipyard, here.

The ceremony marks the moment when the crew of Stratton formally took possession of the cutter.  During the ceremony ownership of the cutter officially transferred from the shipbuilder to the Coast Guard.  This preliminary acceptance and delivery is a major milestone in Stratton’s transition to full operational status in the Coast Guard’s fleet.

"The crew has been training for months in anticipation of the day we are finally able to take Stratton from the skilled and dedicated craftsmen who have built her,"  said Capt. Charles Cashin, Stratton's prospective commanding officer.  "We are ready to see the ship in action , come together as a crew and take our place in the fleet doing the jobs that only a Coast Guard cutter can do, whenever and wherever needed."

The 418-foot Stratton is the third ship in the new Legend-class of cutters in the Coast Guard’s modernized fleet, capable of executing the most challenging maritime safety and security missions around the globe.  Eight cutters are planned for the class.  More information on the National Security Cutter program can be found online at http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/nsc/default.asp.
Stratton will leave Pascagoula for Pensacola, Fla., where final preparations will be made for Stratton’s transit to her future homeport of Alameda, Calif., set for late October.  

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Casey J. Ranel.