The United States Navy officially commissioned its newest Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128), on October 3, 2026, in Whittier, Alaska.

Equipped with the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar and the latest Aegis Weapon System Baseline 10, USS Ted Stevens represents the cutting edge of American surface combatant power, forward defense, and Arctic-Pacific strategic dominance.

Commanded by Captain Mary "Katie" Hayes—the first woman to command an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer upon commissioning—the ship honors the enduring legacy of the late Senator Theodore "Ted" Stevens, a decorated World War II Army Air Corps veteran and tireless champion of national defense.

Watch the full, official ceremony featuring addresses from Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, U.S. Representative Nick Begich, Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet Admiral Steve Koehler, and Ingalls Shipbuilding President Brian Blanchette, concluding with the traditional order to "Man our ship and bring her to life!"

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TIMESTAMPS & KEY CHAPTERS:
00:50 - Master of Ceremonies Opening (CDR Stephen Roman, XO)
02:00 - Gold Star & Veteran Honors (SOC Matthew Leathers Tribute)
03:18 - Naval Heritage & Society of Sponsors Recognition
04:00 - Official Party Arrival & Platform Introductions
09:48 - Presentation of Colors & National Anthem
11:32 - Invocation (Chaplain Robert Henry, USAF)
13:50 - Address: Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy
16:34 - Address: Brian Blanchette (President, Ingalls Shipbuilding)
21:48 - Address: U.S. Representative Nick Begich III
25:28 - Address: U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan
36:36 - Address: U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski
43:42 - Remarks: Admiral Steve Koehler (Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet)
47:43 - Keynote: The Honorable Hung Cao (Acting Secretary of the Navy)
57:28 - Formal Commissioning Order: Placing DDG 128 in Commission
58:24 - Hoisting the Colors & Commissioning Pennant
59:18 - Assumption of Command: CAPT Mary Katie Hayes Reads Orders
01:00:26 - Setting the First Watch & Passing the Long Glass (Hon. Sean O’Keefe)
01:02:58 - Address by Ship Sponsor Lily Stevens-Becker
01:06:26 - "Man, Our Ship and Bring Her to Life!" – Crew Runs Aboard
01:16:40 - The Watch is Set & Breaking the SECNAV Flag
01:18:05 - Commanding Officer Address: CAPT Mary Katie Hayes
01:21:30 - Benediction (Chaplain Robert Henry)
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EVENT DETAILS:
• Vessel: USS Ted Stevens (DDG 128)
• Class: Arleigh Burke-class Guided-Missile Destroyer (Flight III)
• Date of Event: October 3, 2026
• Location: Whittier, Alaska, United States
• Commanding Officer: Captain Mary "Katie" Hayes, USN
• Builder: Huntington Ingalls Industries (Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, MS)
• Courtesy: Defense Media Activity (DMA) - Navy Production

Featured speakers include:
• Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao
• ADM Steve Koehler, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet
• Senator Lisa Murkowski
• Senator Dan Sullivan
• Representative Nick Begich III
• Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy
• Brian Blanchette, President of HII Ingalls Shipbuilding
• CAPT Mary Katie Hayes, Commanding Officer, USS Ted Stevens

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Important: Some names and phrases in preliminary transcripts may be inaccurate. Consult the original recording and official transcript for authoritative wording.

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