The U.S. Navy commissioned the USS Canberra at the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Base East in Sydney, Australia on July 22.
“This truly is a special occasion for our fleet and our nation to be here with you in Australia, one of our closest allies, to celebrate the commissioning of our Navy’s newest warship that is destined to serve throughout the Indo-Pacific region,” Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro said.
“I am confident that wherever USS Canberra is sailing, and whatever challenges her crew may face, they are ready, as reinforced by this warship’s motto — ‘Can Do!‘”
Sailors visited the ship’s namesake city, Canberra, for a Freedom of Entry march on July 23. The Navy has a strong tradition of developing relationships between a ship and its namesake community or family to establish enduring ties.
Canberra is the second Navy ship named for Australia’s capital. The first was renamed from Pittsburgh to Canberra on Oct. 16, 1942, and was commissioned on Oct. 14, 1943, in honor of the Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra, which was lost at the Battle of Savo Island during World War II.