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Destroyer arrives at new home at Naval Station Mayport on Wednesday

“The ship in her magnificence alone provides peace through presence and will keep the maritime commons open..."

The USS Paul Ignatius (DDG 117) arrived at its new home at Naval Station Mayport on Wednesday morning.

Paul Ignatius arrived around 9 a.m. after being commissioned in Fort Lauderdale on July 27.

Paul Ignatius is the Navy's newest destroyer and the first warship named for Paul Ignatius, who served as the Secretary of the Navy under President Lyndon B. Johnson from 1967 to 1969. 

According to USNI News, the U.S. Naval Institute’s online news portal, the Secretary of the Navy attended the commissioning ceremony for the destroyer and said that the Paul Ignatius had a very important mission

“The ship in her magnificence alone provides peace through presence and will keep the maritime commons open, which is the artery of free trade and commerce for our allies, friends and ourselves,” Richard V. Spencer said. “But please keep in mind that at a moment’s notice, this well-trained crew and this ship can be put into harm’s way as your forward-deployed force to deliver the fight tonight in order to keep our peace and prosperity. That is the mission of this crew. That is the mission of this ship. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the mission of your United States Navy.” 


First Coast News will be live-streaming the arrival of the Arleigh Burke-class missile destroyer right here starting at 9 a.m.

WATCH: USS Paul Ignatius Commissioning Ceremony

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