The Navy’s newest San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship — the USS Mesa Verde — will be commissioned Saturday in Panama City, Fla.
The ship is named to honor Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado. It is the first U.S. Navy ship to be named Mesa Verde.
Former Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell will speak at the ceremony. Campbell’s wife, Linda Price Campbell, will serve as the ship’s sponsor.
Built by Northrop Grumman, the Mesa Verde is 684 feet long, has an overall beam of 105 feet, a navigational draft of 23 feet, displaces approximately 24,900 tons and is capable of embarking a landing force of up to 800 Marines. Four turbo- charged diesel engines power the ship to sustained speeds of 22 knots. The Mesa Verde’s homeport will be Norfolk, Va.
Erin Emery, The Denver Post; photo courtesy of U.S. Navy
