For Immediate Release | October 15, 2009

NAVY ANNOUNCES WELCOME SALUTE AND PUBLIC VISITATION FOR FUTURE USS NEW YORK (LPD 21) DURING COMMISSIONING WEEK EVENTS IN NEW YORK CITY

NEW YORK, OCT 15 – The future USS NEW YORK (LPD 21), built with 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center in her bow, will be commissioned in New York City on November 7, 2009.  The ship will actually arrive on November 2, when the public can welcome her as she renders honors at the World Trade Center site, and by visiting the ship before she leaves on November 12, 2009.

At approximately 8:00 a.m., on November 2, the future USS NEW YORK will come to a standstill across from the World Trade Center site, dip her flag, and deliver a 21-gun salute.  Members of the Fire Department of New York, the New York Police Department, Port Authority Police, members of the families of 9/11 victims and veteran’s will gather on the shore at the North Cove in the World Financial Center to return the salute.  Members of the general public are encouraged to attend

There will also be several opportunities for the general public to tour the ship when she is docked at Pier 88 at 12^th Avenue and West 48 Street.  The schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, November 4 – 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 5 – 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 8 – 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Monday, November 9 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, November 10 – 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, November 11 – 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Note that times and dates are subject to change.
Visit www.ussny.org for the latest schedule

Members of the general public wishing to tour the ship should:

- arrive early as lines my be long, especially on the Sunday, Nov. 8.

- enter at West 46^th Street and 12^th Avenue (by the Intrepid).

- bring a photo ID (adults).

- wear comfortable shoes.

No large packages or backpacks will be permitted.

“It is an honor to be associated with the ship.  We are all looking forward to sailing her to New York City for Commissioning,” Commanding Officer F. Curt Jones said.  “I have members of my crew that joined the Navy as a direct result of 9/11. I have crew members that have lost family members on 9/11. I have met numerous people as a result of being associated with the ship that lost family, friends…so we know that the steel that is part of the ship represents in some fashion those people. It represents loss but for us it also represents hope and we keep both of those things close to us,” he added.

Download the SPMAGTF-26 PDF

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Participate in the celebration of the USS New York LPD-21 and become a part of history as she sails past the World Trade Center Site The City of Jersey City, the JC Police and Fire Departments will be hosting a NJ contigent for the event to display our respect for the USS New York at the Exchange Place waterfront area.

Many of your men and women spent countless hours on September 11, 2001 and the many days after assisting so many people in need. This event can help many in the healing process, as something new and, so important rises from the WTC Steel recovered from Ground Zero. I believe the souls lost on 9-11-01 comprise the Spirit of the USS New York .

It is my prayer that this Spirit will guide and protect the crew who serve the USS New York, as they sail into harm’s way to protect Our Country and preserve our Freedom. Please ask your Honor Guard units and Uniformed personnel to arrive at the Exchange Place Waterfront NO LATER THAN 0700 Hrs on November 2,2009.

ALL Uniformed personnel will report to the Jersey City Fire Ladder co’s displaying the Large United States Flag to obtain event instructions for proper placement in the formation. The City of Jersey City ,in coordination with NJ Transit Police, is providing Light Rail transportation to the Exchange Place waterfront free of charge for this event.

Free Parking is available at the NJ Transit Light Rail station at Claremont Avenue and West Side Avenue Jersey City 07305. Directions: NJ Turnpike Exit 15 E, go east on Rt 1& 9 over the Hackensack River. Bear right onto Rt 440 South and go into traffic circle to make U turn at Culver Avenue ( which is right past Hudson Toyota) Make a left at the light and go back onto Rt440 North and make 1st right onto Claremont Ave. Go 1 block and a VERY LARGE NJ Transit Parking Lot is on right.

We thank you for your assistance and look forward to seeing your department’s representation in this very important event. Respectfully, Richard Gorman #539 Captain, Eng Co 6 Grp A Fire Dept of Jersey City Special Operations Hazardous Materials Unit 465 Marin Blvd Jersey City, NJ 07302 Cell # 201-697-5723 HM Office# 201-547-6520 Eng 6 Office# 201-547-4211 gormanr@jcnj.org or FDJC1882@aol.com

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10/27/2009  By 26th MEU Public Affairs, 26th MEU 

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C.  — North Carolina Marines from several units recently joined to form Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 26. SPMAGTF-26 is scheduled to board the ship that will become USS New York, Oct. 29. The ship and embarked Marines will sail to New York City for the ship’s commissioning, Nov. 7, where it will be designated USS New York.

USS New York holds particular significance to the people of New York with 7 1/2 tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center forged into her bow. The ship also honors the memory of those who lost their lives during the unprovoked attacks of 9/11.

The 260 Marines who make up SPMAGTF-26 represent Marine Corps expeditionary forces that will deploy aboard USS New York in the future.

The ship and Marines will arrive in New York City, Nov. 2. During its approximate two weeks in New York, the ship will be open for public tours where the embarked Marines will showcase their equipment and interact with visitors.

USS New York will be the Navy’s newest Landing Platform Dock, a class of ship designed to embark Marine Corps units who can execute a wide range of missions. Improvements to this class of ship include a larger flight deck with an on-deck hanger, larger well deck for amphibious operations, enhancements to troop berthing and other areas. These advancements are designed to allow embarked Marines to prepare for and conduct operations more quickly and efficiently then previous versions of the LPD.

The flight deck will be capable of launching up to two MV-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft simultaneously. It can also serve as the launch point for Marine CH-53E Super Stallion, UH-1N Huey and AH-1W Super Cobra helicopters. The well deck is capable of supporting two Landing Craft Air Cushioned as well as the traditional Landing Craft Utility and Marine amphibious craft. The vehicle stowage areas offer more space and maneuverability for Marine land vehicles like the M1A1 Abrams tank, and others.

The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit command element provided the majority of the unit’s members assigned to show case the Marine Corps’ future role on the ship.

The Aviation element will showcase Marine air assets capable of launching from USS New York. It is comprised of pilots, crew and support Marines for CH-46E, CH-53E, AH-1W, UH-1N and MV-22 Osprey aircraft, which come from II and IV Marine Air Wing. II MAW is providing a majority of support with aircraft from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 467, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 and Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 29. IV MAW is providing aircraft from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 774.

The Ground Combat Element will highlight infantry assets able to deploy from USS New York. It contains conventional infantry reinforced with light armored vehicles, tanks, artillery, combat engineers and amphibious assault vehicles. 2nd Marine Division is providing support with elements from 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, who are augmented by elements of F Battery, 2nd Battalion, 12 Marine Regiment; 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion; 2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion; and 2nd Tank Battalion.

At the conclusion of the event, the Marines will return to their parent units aboard Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Stations Cherry Point and New River.

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Source: http://www.marines.mil/unit/26thmeu/Pages/SPMAGTF-26formsforUSSNewYorkcommissioning.aspx

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