The Navy will christen the future USS Carl M. Levin (DDG 120), an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, during a 10:30 a.m. ET ceremony in Bath, Maine, Oct. 2.
U.S. Sen. Jack Reed, of Rhode Island, will deliver the keynoteaddress at the ceremony. Remarks will also be provided by the Honorable Carlos Del Toro, Secretary of the Navy; the Honorable Mike McCord, Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller); and Adm. William Lescher, Vice Chief of Naval Operations, as well as the Honorable Janet Mills, Governor of Maine; U.S. Sen. Angus King, of Maine; U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree, of Maine's 1st District; and U.S. Rep. Andy Levin, of Michigan's 9th District.
Sen. Levin's daughters, Kate Levin Markel, Laura Levin, and Erica Levin - the ship's sponsors - will participate in a time-honored Navy tradition to christen the ship by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow.
"The late Senator Carl Levin said that public service is in his DNA," said Del Toro. "Senator Levin's decisions leading the Senate Armed Services Committee shaped our nation and Navy for the better. It is my honor, on behalf of the Navy, and with his three daughters serving as sponsor, to expand his legacy by christening a namesake ship, USS CARL LEVIN."
The future USS Carl M. Levin is named in honor of the former Michigan senator who remains the longest-serving senator in the state's history. Levin became a staunch supporter of the armed services through his work and leadership as Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Levin passed away July 29, 2021.
Arleigh Burke-class destroyers provide multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities. These ships serve as crucial assets in global maritime security, conducting anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, as well as executing long-range strike and surface fire support missions. DDG 120 will be a Flight IIA destroyer with the Aegis Baseline 9 Combat Systems, including Integrated Air and Missile Defense capability.
In addition to Carl M. Levin (DDG 120), General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works (BIW) has five additional Arleigh Burke-class destroyers under construction, to include the the future: USS John Basilone (DDG 122), the future USS Harvey C. Barnum Jr. (DDG 124), the future USS Patrick Gallagher (DDG 127), the future USS Louis H. Wilson Jr. (DDG 126), and the future USS William Charette (DDG 130). BIW is under contract to construct four additional Arleigh Burke-class destroyers with the Flight III configuration that includes enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense capabilities.
Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at (703) 697-5342. More information on the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers can be found at: https://www.navy.mil/Resources/Fact-Files/Display-FactFiles/Article/2169871/destroyers-ddg-51/