US Navy Commissions USS Ted Stevens in Alaska

The United States Navy commissioned the USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128), a Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, during a ceremony in Whittier, Alaska, in early October 2026. Named after the late Senator Ted Stevens, a World War II pilot and Alaska advocate, the vessel is equipped with the Aegis Baseline 10 combat system and AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar for simultaneous anti-air and ballistic missile defense.

Constructed by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, the ship was laid down in March 2022 and christened in August 2023. During the ceremony, Brian Blanchette, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding, noted the connection between the shipbuilding efforts in Mississippi and the commissioning site in Alaska.

Following the event, the ship began its transit to its permanent homeport in Norfolk, Virginia. Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao stated that the vessel is now ready to defend the homeland and deter aggression, while Captain Mary Katey Hayes affirmed the crew's readiness to answer the nation's call.