USNS Robert F. Kennedy Christened In San Diego

SAN DIEGO, CA — The USNS Robert F. Kennedy was christened and launched in San Diego Saturday in front of an impressive gathering of dignitaries that included several of the former senator and attorney general's 11 children.

The audience at the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard also included Speaker Emerita of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-San Diego, Rep. Sara Jacobs, D-San Diego, civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, General Dynamics NASSCO President Dave Carver and many others.

"Bobby Kennedy represents hope for a better future, a future of equality, justice and unity," said Rear Admiral Brendan McLane, special assistant to the commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet. "At sea, the USNS Robert F. Kennedy will be called upon to sustain a different type of hope and unity. She will be on the high seas, defending America's interests around the globe, going into harm's way to sustain our warships and sailors.

"We were all reminded of the value of a deployed naval force just three weeks ago, after the attacks by Hamas on Israel," McLane added. "At a moment's notice, our Navy was there, on station in the eastern Mediterranean, living true to the axiom that when things go horribly wrong in the world, the national command authority's first question is: `Where are our strike groups?"'

Pelosi said that in christening "this formidable ship, we are honoring the towering leadership and legacy" of Kennedy, who was assassinated in Los Angeles in June 1968 after winning the California Democratic presidential primary.

"The name of the U.S. Navy ship Robert Kennedy is really synonymous with hope," Pelosi continued. "Robert Kennedy knew America and indeed the world could be much better, and with his commanding rhetoric he showed us his vision for a better future."

The ship was officially christened when Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Kennedy's oldest child and the ship's sponsor, broke the ceremonial bottle of champagne against the ship's hull.

"The Navy is a fighting force and a force for peace," Kennedy Townsend said. "It is fitting that the Secretary of the Navy named a class of ship after civil rights leaders like my father."

The USNS Robert F. Kennedy is the fourth ship in the John Lewis-class previously known as the TAO(X). The upgraded oiler is built with double hulls to protect against oil spills and strengthened cargo and ballast tanks, and will be equipped with a basic self-defense capability.

— City News Service