File:USS Makin Island 091024-N-GI281-057.jpg

English: USS Makin Island (LHD 8) was formally commissioned today in a ceremony on Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI). The ship dubbed the "Prius of Navy warships" arrived in San Diego in mid-September, three years after her christening. She brought over 1,000 Sailors and their families to the San Diego community. "I am proud this ship, and that her Sailors, Marines, and families will all call San Diego 'home,'" said Congresswoman Susan Davis, the senior U.S. government official present. "It is great to have a new, 'green,' addition to San Diego. Each of you contributes to mission success and to our great community." Adm. Patrick Walsh, Commander, Pacific Fleet, the event's principal speaker, addressed the impact of Makin Island on the fleet. USS Makin Island represents the U.S. Navy's long standing commitment to both the defense of our nation and ensuring security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond," said Walsh. "This commissioning also marks a new and significant chapter in the U.S. Navy's history. The Navy will look to the USS Makin Island as the example as we move aggressively forward with plans to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and other hazardous chemicals." Makin Island is the final amphibious assault ship built in the LHD-1 Wasp-class, but is the first of the class built with gas turbine engines and electric drive. The Navy projects that this advance will save nearly $250 million dollars in fuel costs over the ship's lifetime. The development is already paying off during the ships transit from Pascagoula, Miss., to San Diego, Calif., Makin Island consumed over 900,000 gallons less fuel than a steam ship completing the same transit, saving more than two million dollars in fuel costs.

Unit: Defense Imagery Management Operations Center

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