Secretary of the Navy John Phelan has formally approved USS Ted Stevens (DDG128) to be commissioned in Whittier, Alaska. The commissioning ceremony is currently anticipated to take place Fall 2026.
U.S. Navy ship commissioning’s are rare in Alaska. The last one held in the state was May 4, 2013, when the USS Anchorage (LPD 23) was commissioned at the Don Young Port of Alaska.
A Commissioning is a time-honored naval tradition that marks the moment a ship officially enters the fleet of the United States Navy. The ceremony will celebrate the sailors who will serve aboard the ship and honor the legacy of the vessel’s namesake, the late U.S. Senator Ted Stevens, who represented Alaska for four decades and was one of the longest-serving Republican senators in U.S. history.
“Hosting the commissioning of the USS Ted Stevens (DDG128) in Alaska is a profound honor for our State,” said Representative Chuck Kopp who serves as Vice President of the USS Ted Stevens Commissioning Committee. “Senator Stevens dedicated his life to strengthening America’s national defense and advocating for Alaska. Bringing this ship to life in Alaska reflects his enduring legacy and the strong connection between Alaska and the United States military.”
The USS Ted Stevens (DDG128) is the newest and most advanced Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, once commissioned will be the most powerful warship in the fleet. Ships of this class are designed to conduct a wide range of missions including air defense, ballistic missile defense, anti-submarine warfare, and surface combat operations.
The commissioning ceremony is expected to draw the ship’s crew and their families, senior military leaders, elected officials, dignitaries, prominent Alaskans and visitors from across the country, marking a historic moment for Alaska’s maritime and military communities.
Additional details regarding the official commissioning date, public events, and opportunities for Alaskans and visitors to support and participate in commissioning week activities will be announced in the coming months.