Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced March 13 during a ceremony held at the Navy Memorial that the next Arleigh-Burke class destroyer, DDG-119, will be named Delbert D. Black.
The future USS Delbert D. Black was named in honor of the first master chief petty officer of the Navy (MCPON).
During his time as MCPON, Black served as an advisor to many boards dealing with enlisted personnel issues and as the enlisted representative of the Department of the Navy. He is also credited with the establishment of the command master chief program.
Current MCPON Mike Stevens joined Mabus at the ceremony held to honor the legendary deck-plate leader.
"It is a great honor to name this ship in remembrance of such a revered sailor," said Mabus. "I have no doubt that all who serve aboard her will carry on the legacy of service and commitment exemplified by Master Chief Black during his storied career."
DDG-119 will be the first ship to bear the name Delbert D. Black.
Arleigh-Burke class destroyers conduct a variety of operations from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. DDG 119 will be capable of fighting air, surface and subsurface battles simultaneously and will contain a myriad of offensive and defensive weapons designed to support maritime warfare including integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) capabilities.
DDG 119, the third ship of the FY2013-FY2017 DDG 51 multiyear-procurement contract, will be constructed at Huntington Ingalls Industry (HII) shipyard. The ship will be 509 feet long, have a beam length of 59 feet and be capable of operating at speeds in excess of 30 knots.
