USS Independence Commissioned

It was a ceremony marked with naval tradition and a lot of umbrellas. With the magic words
"Officers and crew, man your ship and bring her to life," the USS Independence, built here in Mobile at Austal USA, sets sail for waters away from Mobile.

“Just imagine this ship coming over the horizon at 40 knots, I'd expect captain Kirk of the starship Enterprise would be pretty concerned about what the US Navy can do,” says US Navy Vice Admiral DC Curtis. Among the many dignitaries here Congressman Jo Bonner says this ship helps return Mobile to its place in naval construction

“Back during World War II we built a liberty ship a week and while it took a little bit longer to get the Independence ready this is the future of the Navy,” says Bonner. Hundreds turned out for the ceremony, despite torrential rain. It's a ship a lot of people are excited about.

“We're going to compete with every strength we have to make sure that we maintain a cost effective ship lowest price and finest qualities,” says Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions. The sailors manning this vessel are American, but the team that put it together came from all four corners of the world. The Independence heads to Virginia for testing before its permanent port of call in California.