Gov. Whitmer Joins Keel Laying Ceremony for USNS Lansing, Celebrating Michigan as a Leader in Innovation, Manufacturing, and Job Creation

As part of the keel laying ceremony, the USNS Lansing has been engraved with Governor Whitmer’s initials, G.W 

MOBILE, AL - On September 6, 2024, Governor Gretchen Whitmer joined U.S. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro for the keel laying ceremony for the future USS Lansing. A keel laying ceremony represents the joining together of the ship’s modular components at the land level. During the ceremony, the keel is authenticated when a welder etches the initials of the ship sponsor into the keel plate. As the ship’s sponsor, Governor Whitmer’s initials were welded into the keel plate, marking the beginning of the ship’s construction.  

“I am honored to serve as the USNS Lansing’s sponsor and proud that our wonderful capital city finally has a U.S. Navy vessel that bears its name,” said Governor Whitmer. “I look forward to the day she formally hits the water and will follow her journey closely. I am also grateful to all the men and women who will serve onboard, led by a merchant marine captain and operated by a crew of civilian sailors. In Michigan, we will keep leading the way in manufacturing-including naval manufacturing-with our new Michigan Maritime Manufacturing initiative that we announced on the same day as the new ship. Together, we will keep getting ‘ship’ done!” 

In July 2024, Secretary Del Toro joined Governor Whitmer and Mayor Andy Schor in Lansing to officially name the USNS Lansing and formally ask Governor Whitmer to sponsor the ship. 

“This ship highlights the success and importance of our Maritime Statecraft initiative, encompassing a national, whole-of-government effort to restore the comprehensive maritime power of our Nation,” said Secretary Del Toro. “The future USS Lansing is named for the capital city of the state that is a leader in developing the techno-industrial workforce we need to build and assemble the ships, munitions, parts, and pieces our Naval fleet requires, and where, last month, the sponsor, Gov. Whitmer and I announced the M3 initiative.” 

“A keel laying ceremony is the start of a ship’s journey,” said Program Executive Office (PEO), Ships Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Manager Tim Roberts. “We look forward to working with our industry partners during the construction process and getting another player on the field for the fleet.” 

Michigan’s defense and aerospace industry currently drives $30 billion in economic activity, supporting more than 166,000 jobs and nearly 4,000 businesses. This industrial strength is bolstered by the more than 500,000 veterans and their families who call Michigan home. With our growing veteran population-over 670,000 strong-Michigan is primed to remain a manufacturing powerhouse.   

While Secretary Del Toro was in Michigan in July, he and the Governor also announced the Michigan Maritime Manufacturing (M3) Initiative, a more than $50 million partnership made possible by the Biden-Harris administration. It is aimed at building a workforce ready to lead the future of defense manufacturing. The M3 Initiative is focused on training workers in critical skills for maritime construction, particularly in maritime welding and machining, through local community colleges. It is also connecting K-12 students with hands-on career and technical education, sparking interest in maritime manufacturing careers.

For more information about the M3 Initiative and how to get involved, click here. 

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