MARCH 27, 2024:
Representatives from the company building the United States Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship USS Pierre (LCS 38) spent some time in South Dakota’s capitol city this week (March 26, 2024) to get some insight about the place the ship is named for.
Austal USA Vice President of Business Development and External Affairs Larry Ryder says this was the first time he’s made this type of visit.
The Navy’s fleet of Freedom-variant ships– which were built by a different company– have had some issues with propulsion or weapons not working, but Ryder says Austal USA’s Independence-variant ships have had good success.
Although he got to tour the town, Ryder says it’s not the company that will personalize the ship with items reflecting Pierre.
The USS Pierre’s Keel Laying, or the official start of the shipbuilding process, happened last summer (June 16, 2023) in Alabama. The Christening, when the ship is put in the water for testing, is scheduled for this summer. The Commissioning, when the ship goes on active duty, is scheduled for 2025.
LCS 38 is the third United States naval vessel named for Pierre. The first was during World War II when the cargo vessel “SS Pierre Victory” (VC2-S-AP3) saw active service. The second was originally called “USS PC-1141,” which was a PC-461-class submarine chaser during World War II. She was renamed “USS Pierre” (PC-1141) in 1956. The ship was decommissioned from the U.S. Navy in October 1958 and transferred to the Indonesian Navy.
The most recently activated naval vessel with ties to the state is the USS South Dakota (SSN 790) fast attack submarine. It officially joined the US Navy’s fleet Feb. 2, 2019.
The USS Pierre (LCS 38) will be 419 feet long and capable of operating at speeds of over 46mph (40+ knots). South Dakota Senator John Thune’s youngest daughter, Larissa Thune Hargens, is the ship’s sponsor.
USS Pierre Commissioning Committee members include Mayor Steve Harding, Mike Mehlhaff, Jr., Eddie Hruska, Dennis Rounds, Chris Qualm and Patrick Callahan.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Austal USA Vice President of Business Development and External Affairs Larry Ryder, Pierre Mayor Steve Harding, Commissioning Committee member Mike Mehlhaff and Austal USA Events and Protocol Manager Jessica Wofford.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Photo credit Jody Heemstra, DRG Media Group.
Austal USA Events and Protocol Manager Jessica Wofford, Pierre Mayor Steve Harding and Austal USA Vice President of Business Development and External Affairs Larry Ryder.
Pierre Mayor Steve Harding, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, Austal USA Vice President of Business Development and External Affairs Larry Ryder and Austal USA Events and Protocol Manager Jessica Wofford.
Photo credit to Patrick Callahan.
MARCH 25, 2024:
Representatives from the company building the USS Pierre will be in South Dakota’s capitol city tomorrow to get some insight about the place the ship is named for.
Austal USA will be at the American Legion Cabin tomorrow (March 26, 2024) from noon-1:30pm. Those interested in meeting Austal representatives and learning more about the USS Pierre and its commissioning process are welcome to stop by.
Additionally, Austal USA Vice President of Business Development and External Affairs Larry Ryder and Events and Protocol Manager Jessica Wofford will present information to the Pierre City Commission during their meeting tomorrow evening (5:30pm).
The USS Pierre, a Littoral Combat Ship, will eventually join the US Naval fleet to be used to protect and serve the country in near-shore efforts. There are three major steps in the shipbuilding process – the Keel Laying, the Christening, and the Commissioning. The Keel Laying, or the official start of the shipbuilding process, happened last summer in Alabama. The Christening, when the ship is put in the water for testing, is scheduled for this summer. The Commissioning, when the ship goes on active duty, is scheduled for 2025.
USS Pierre Commissioning Committee members include Mayor Steve Harding, Mike Mehlhaff, Jr., Eddie Hruska, Dennis Rounds, Chris Qualm and Patrick Callahan.
JANUARY 24, 2024:
There’s some new artwork being put up at Pierre’s City Hall.
Mayor Steve Harding says a painting of the USS Pierre with the South Dakota State Capitol Building in the background was revealed earlier this week (Jan. 22, 2024) during a legislative welcome event at the American Legion Cabin.
Harding says the USS Pierre christening will be held in May.
Harding says initial reaction to the painting has solicited some humor.
The United States Navy’s Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship USS Pierre (LCS 38) will be 419 feet long and capable of operating at speeds of over 46mph (40+ knots). It will be a highly maneuverable, lethal and adaptable ship, designed to support focused mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions. South Dakota Senator John Thune’s youngest daughter, Larissa Thune Hargens, is the sponsor of the USS Pierre.
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JUNE 19, 2023:
A keel laying ceremony for the USS Pierre (LCS 38) was held Friday (June 16, 2023) at the Austal USA Shipyard in Mobile, Alabama.
One of the speakers was Pierre Mayor Steve Harding, who credited a particular group of people for getting the ship to this point.
South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds is from the Pierre/Fort Pierre area and is a members of the Senate’s Armed Services Committee.
South Dakota Senator John Thune shared some insight about the land-locked state’s connection to the Navy.
Thune’s youngest daughter, Larissa Thune Hargens, is the sponsor of the USS Pierre.
The Navy’s Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship USS Pierre (LCS 38) will be 419 feet long and capable of operating at speeds of over 46mph (40+ knots). It will be a highly maneuverable, lethal and adaptable ship, designed to support focused mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions.
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JUNE 16, 2023:
A ceremony was held today (June 16, 2023) in Mobile, Alabama, for a United States Navy ship named after the capitol of South Dakota.
The Navy’s Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship USS Pierre (LCS 38) will be 419 feet long and capable of operating at speeds of over 46mph (40+ knots).
The USS Pierre will be a highly maneuverable, lethal and adaptable ship, designed to support focused mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions.
Ship sponsor Larissa Thune Hargens.
USS Pierre Keel Laying Ceremony June 16, 2023.
Screenshot image from Austal USA livestream.
Ship sponsor Larissa Thune Hargens helping weld her initials onto a steel plate that will be attached to the ship.
USS Pierre Keel Laying Ceremony June 16, 2023.
Screenshot image from Austal USA livestream.
Hargens expressed her gratitude at having the sponsorship.
South Dakota Senator John Thune.
USS Pierre Keel Laying Ceremony June 16, 2023.
Screenshot image from Austal USA livestream.
Senator Thune spoke of the pride he has for his daughter.
South Dakota Senator Mike Rounds.
USS Pierre Keel Laying Ceremony June 16, 2023.
Screenshot image from Austal USA livestream.
Senator Rounds said that he hopes that the shipbuilding industry remains strong and keeps growing.
Pierre Mayor Steve Harding.
USS Pierre Keel Laying Ceremony June 16, 2023.
Screenshot image from Austal USA livestream.
Mayor Harding is heading the USS Pierre’s commissioning committee, and he talked of his enthusiasm for it and its members.
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JUNE 14, 2023:
A ceremony will be held Friday (June 16, 2023) in Mobile, Alabama, for a United States Navy ship named after the capitol of South Dakota.
The Navy’s Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship USS Pierre (LCS 38) will be 419 feet long and capable of operating at speeds of over 46mph (40+ knots).
Mayor Steve Harding says there are three major ceremonies that happen when the Navy builds a ship. The first is the Keel Laying Ceremony.
Harding says the next major ceremony for the USS Pierre is the Christening.
The Commissioning of the ship is the third and final occasion.
The ceremony will start at 10am CT. It will be livestreamed on the Austal USA Facebook page. Austal is the company building the ship.
The USS Pierre will be a highly maneuverable, lethal and adaptable ship, designed to support focused mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions.
The most recently activated naval vessel with ties to the state is the USS South Dakota (SSN 790) fast attack submarine. It officially joined the US Navy’s fleet Feb. 2, 2019.
USS Pierre Commissioning Committee member Mike Mehlhaff.
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MARCH 26, 2021:
South Dakota’s governor signed a bill this week (SB 93) that provides $100,000 for the commissioning process of a US Navy combat ship to be named the USS Pierre (LCS 38).
Rep. Mike Weisgram of Fort Pierre says there was some concern about using state monies.
Rep. Will Mortenson of Pierre says it’s a similar process as the USS South Dakota fast attack submarine went through several years ago.
The USS South Dakota (SSN 790) fast attack submarine officially joined the US Navy’s fleet Feb. 2, 2019.
Senator Mary Duvall of Pierre hopes the USS Pierre will serve as a bit of an educational tool.
The Navy’s Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship USS Pierre will be 419 feet long and capable of operating at speeds of more than 46mph— or over 40 knots. The ship is a highly maneuverable, lethal and adaptable ship, designed to support focused mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare missions. It will be built by Austal USA in Mobile, AL.
Image credit City of Pierre.
Image credit City of Pierre.
Image credit City of Pierre.
Pierre mayor Steve Harding shows a replica of the USS Pierre during the Dec. 18, 2020, city commission meeting.
Image credit City of Pierre.
FEBRUARY 5, 2019:
The US Navy will name its next Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship USS Pierre (LCS 38) in honor of the capital city of South Dakota.
Pierre is the hometown of Sen. Mike Rounds, who says it’s an honor to have a Navy vessel named after the state’s capital city.
The ship will be 419 feet long and be capable of operating at speeds of more than 40 knots—or over 46mph.
The first USS Pierre was a PC-461-class submarine chaser built for the United States Navy during World War II. Originally called the USS PC-1141, she was renamed USS Pierre in 1956. The ship was decommissioned from the US Navy at Pearl Harbor in October 1958, then transferred to the Indonesian Navy (KRI Tjakalang).
The USS Pierre (LCS 38) announcement comes a few days after the USS South Dakota (SSN 790) fast attack submarine officially joined the US Navy’s fleet (Feb. 2, 2019).
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