To commemorate the commissioning of the USS Milwaukee, our nation’s fifth Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) has collaborated with Harley-Davidson on a one-of-a-kind motorcycle to honor the U.S. Navy and the city of Milwaukee.
“We wanted to do something special for the occasion and support the families of our military men and women who sacrifice so much to protect our freedoms,” said Stephanie C. Hill, Lockheed Martin vice president of Ship & Aviation Systems. “We’re excited to collaborate with Milwaukee’s own Harley-Davidson, a company that has been fulfilling dreams of personal freedom for over 100 years.”
The motorcycle will be on display during USS Milwaukee Commissioning week, followed by appearance at U.S. Navy, industry and STEM events over the last year. It is now headed for a major charity auction to support the National Military Family Association (NMFA).
“We are honored to be a part of this one-of-a-kind endeavor,” said NMFA Executive Director, Joyce Wessel Raezer. “Both Lockheed Martin and Harley-Davidson have been such wonderful supporters of the military and their families, and we couldn’t be happier to be a part of this commemoration.”
Harley-Davidson Chief Stylist Ray Drea designed the motorcycle, drawing inspiration from touring the Fincantieri Marinette Marine Corp. shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin, where the Lockheed Martin-led industry team builds the Freedom-variant LCS. The design also honors historic WWII-era Harley-Davidson motorcycles to model some of the authentic Navy and military custom details.
The fifth U.S. Navy vessel to bear the name Milwaukee, the ship will transit to its homeport in San Diego, California, where it will be integrated into the fleet and the industry-Navy team will conduct additional program testing and crew training before she begins her first deployment.
The U.S. Navy commissioned the nation’s fifth Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) – USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) – in Milwaukee November 21, 2015, officially placing the ship designed and constructed by a Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT)-led industry team into active service.
Milwaukee, the third Freedom-variant in the LCS class, successfully passed Acceptance Trials in September and was delivered to the U.S. Navy on October 16.
“The USS Milwaukee is a warship with capabilities unlike any others,” said Stephanie C. Hill, vice president of Ship & Aviation Systems for Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training business. “The entire Lockheed Martin-led LCS industry team is proud to deliver USS Milwaukee to the crew who will bring this great ship to life to participate in the defense of our great nation.”
The fifth U.S. Navy vessel bearing the name, Milwaukee will transit to its homeport in San Diego, California, where it will be integrated into the fleet and the industry-Navy team will conduct additional program testing and crew training.
A double-turreted river monitor, the ship was built for the Union Navy during the Civil War. She was ordered south to join the West Gulf Blockading Squadron arriving there on October 1864. New Year’s Day 1865 found Milwaukee in Mobile Bay (Alabama) ready for action. In the following months, with other light-draft Union ships, she swept mines, bombarded Confederate works, removed obstructions and transported Army troops.
On March 28, 1865, she and her sister ship Winnebago steamed up the Blakely River to attack a Confederate transport and forced it to retreat. While returning downriver, Milwaukee struck a mine in an area previously swept. She remained afloat forward, which permitted her crew to escape without loss.
Milwaukee’s hulk was raised in 1868 and her material was used in the construction of the bridge across the Mississippi which bears the name of her builder, James B. Eads.
The Lockheed Martin-led industry team, which includes shipbuilder Fincantieri Marinette Marine and naval architect Gibbs & Cox, has already delivered two Freedom-variant littoral combat ships to the U.S. Navy. USS Freedom conducted a successful deployment to Southeast Asia in 2013 and is currently operating out of her homeport in San Diego. USS Fort Worth is currently deployed in Southeast Asia, serving in the U.S. 7th Fleet.
Detroit (LCS 7) is scheduled to be delivered in early 2016. Sioux City (LCS 11), Wichita (LCS 13), Billings (LCS 15), and Indianapolis (LCS 17) are in construction. St. Louis (LCS 19) and Minneapolis/St. Paul (LCS 21) are in long-lead material procurement.
The commissioning is the final act that marks entrance of a ship into the naval forces of her nation. It is the final of three events that bring a ship to life: keel laying, launching and christening, and commissioning.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that – with the addition of Sikorsky – employs approximately 126,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
Founded in 1942, Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM) is located on the Menominee River flowage into Green Bay. The largest shipyard in Wisconsin and the Midwest, FMM has delivered more than 1,300 vessels for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and commercial customers, including the technologically advanced Littoral Combat Ship Freedom class for the U.S. Navy.
In 2008, FMM along with several sister shipyards also based in the Great Lakes region, became part of FINCANTIERI, the largest shipbuilder in the western Hemisphere and the fourth largest in the world. FINCANTIERI operates in the United States through its subsidiary Fincantieri Marine Group, serving both civilian and government customers.
Employing approximately 1,500 employees, today FMM is a state-of-the-art, full service new construction shipyard.
The National Military Family Association is the leading nonprofit dedicated to serving the families who stand behind the uniform. Since 1969, NMFA has worked to strengthen and protect millions of families through its advocacy and programs. They provide spouse scholarships, camps for military kids, and retreats for families reconnecting after deployment and for the families of the wounded, ill, or injured. NMFA serves the families of the currently serving, retired, wounded or fallen members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Commissioned Corps of the USPHS and NOAA. To get involved or to learn more, visit www.MilitaryFamily.org.
For additional information, visit our website: www.lockheedmartin.com/lcs5
· Custom paint set- tank and both fenders, painted battleship gray w/ silver white pearl. Hand painted graphics on each part.
· Seat and swingarm bag- black leather
