When the keel grand block for Calhoun (WMSL 759) landed in its construction cradle, the event marked a major milestone in the National Security Cutter program.
The Legend class was supposed to end with the delivery of USCGC Midgett (WMSL 757), but the ships have proven so adept at the evolving missions demanded of them that the class has been extended. This has led to the keel laying of Calhoun, the 10th National Security Cutter built at Ingalls. The company has also started fabrication on its 11th National Security Cutter, Friedman, in May.
“Delivery of Stone (WMSL 758) last year reinforced the National Security Cutters are highly capable ships the second they leave our shipyard,” said Will Rooks, ship program manager. “On its shakedown cruise it interdicted a narcotic trafficking vessel, traveled to the South Atlantic to combat illegal fishing and sailed into homeport after 68 days and covering over 21,000 miles. With the landing of the keel of Calhoun our team at Ingalls is already driving to have that be the most complete, most capable National Security Cutter to ever leave our shipyard.”
Munro (WMSL 755) set the pace during its maiden voyage by confiscating 39,000 pounds of cocaine in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. Since then, National Security Cutters and their crews routinely make the evening news with stories of their interdictions.
Already in 2021, Legend-class cutters Bertholf (WMSL 750) and Munro (WMSL 755) prevented more than 9,000 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $156 million from reaching our shores and polluting thousands of communities across the nation.
In the global struggle to curtail an ever evolving addiction crisis, Ingalls Shipbuilders are finding themselves at the frontline of the fight, building the ships that protect our shores.
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