Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45), left, Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), center, and San Antonio-class transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) sail in formation in the Pacific Ocean, Feb. 27, 2026.
San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD 27) attaches a fuel line from Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4)— both Ingalls-built ships—during a simulated fueling-at-sea, Jan. 28, 2026.
USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) Arleigh Burke-class Flight III guided missile destroyer heads to Alpha Pier in San Diego on the first day of the WEST conference, February 2, 2026.
The Ingalls-built USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) returned to its homeport at Naval Base San Diego just in time for the holidays.
USS San Antonio (LPD 17), pictured left, and USS Gravely (DDG 107), right, moved into a tight formation with USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188), center, on Oct. 20, 2025. The three ships carried out a coordinated replenishment-at-sea while in the Caribbean, a routine evaluation that reached far beyond fuel lines.
Two Ingalls-built ships, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62) and the America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), arrived in Da Nang, Vietnam, on Dec. 8, for the first Navy visit to the city in two years. The visit highlights the strengthening relationship between nations and the U.S.’s ongoing commitment to stability and cooperation in the region.
USS San Antonio (LPD 17), the lead ship of its class, sailed off the coast of Jamaica on Nov. 8, 2025, to deliver lifesaving aid following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.
Two Ingalls-built destroyers completed a sea-and-anchor evolution in Rota, Spain, on Oct. 27, 2025. USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), front left, is shown preparing to moor next to USS Bulkeley (DDG 84).
Sailors manned the rails on the Ingalls-built USS Benfold (DDG 65) as the ship returned to the U.S. on Sept. 29, 2025, following 10 consecutive years of forward-deployed service in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.
The amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) has returned to the United States after six years forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan.
Pictured above: USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) sits at Ingalls Shipbuilding just days after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. LDP 19 was readying for sea trials when the storm hit.
THE BIG PICTURE: USS New York (LPD 21) and USS Ross (DDG 71), both built by Ingalls, are among several U.S. and allied warships participating in Atlantic Alliance 2025 (AA25), the Navy’s premier East Coast integration exercise.
THE BIG PICTURE: The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) — which include two ships built at Ingalls — have finished their first mission of 2025.
THE BIG PICTURE: USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) was one of more than 40 ships that took part in Baltic Operations 2025 (BALTOPS 25) in June.
THE BIG PICTURE: USS Cole (DDG 67), an Ingalls-built destroyer, arrived in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for a brief fuel stop on June 11, 2025.
THE BIG PICTURE: The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) — which includes three Ingalls-built ships — completed Amphibious Squadron Marine Expeditionary Unit Integration Training (PMINT) in the Atlantic Ocean.
The craftsmanship of Ingalls shipbuilders was on display during Fleet Week New York, which featured two Ingalls-built ships. USS New York (LPD 21) and USCG Calhoun (WMSL 759) were open for tours during the event, giving the public the opportunity to see the incredible work done at Ingalls.
THE BIG PICTURE:
BECAUSE OF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS:
The America-class amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA 7), which was built by Ingalls, will move to Sasebo, Japan, as part of a scheduled rotation of forces in the Pacific. LHA 7 will replace USS America (LHA 6), another Ingalls-built ship, which will depart Sasebo and move to San Diego. BECAUSE OF YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS
In this follow-up episode, we continue our conversation with 2nd shift General Manufacturing director Chris Helton. Having spent more than 30 years at Ingalls, Chris has played a role in building many ships for the Navy and Coast Guard, several of which are in service today.
The Ingalls-built Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105), pictured above, fires a Mark 45 5-inch light-weight gun during a live-fire weapons exercise on November 2. The ship was operating in the Andaman Sea as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Malaysia.
In this part one episode, we’re excited to sit down with Chris Helton, a 33 year shipbuilder who shares the story of his journey as a brand new shipbuilder to becoming the director of General Manufacturing. Chris emphasizes the vital role shipbuilders play in supporting our nation’s defense. Tune in as we explore the dedication and craftsmanship behind our essential work and his shipbuilding story.
