USS Beloit (LCS 29) Triumphantly Arrives at Mayport Home Port

USS Beloit (LCS 29) has successfully navigated 15 locks, four Great Lakes, and traveled over 2,500 nautical miles to reach the Atlantic Ocean. The vessel is now en route to its future homeport at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.

The journey to the Atlantic involved extensive preparation from the crew. In less than two months after moving onboard in August, they completed certifications in critical mission areas such as Search and Rescue, Navigation, Damage Control, Communications, and Engineering.

“The Beloit Badger crew are some of the best Sailors I have served with,” expressed Cmdr. LeAndra Kissinger, Beloit’s commanding officer. “They are resilient, strong, flexible, and dedicated, and I am blessed to be their Commanding Officer. Almost everything we have done in the past five months has been ‘high risk’ and ‘first time’, but that’s what makes us so unique.”

The crew’s coordination and support were crucial for setting sail from Marinette, Wisconsin, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where the ship’s commissioning ceremony took place.

On November 23, the command to “man the ship and bring her to life” was executed, marking the transformation from a pre-commissioned unit to the United States Ship amidst a large crowd of spectators.

The commissioning events featured a visit to Beloit, a Chairman’s dinner, and a ceremony attended by veterans from noteworthy battles. Stops in Cleveland, Ohio, Quebec City, Quebec, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Norfolk allowed for refueling, replenishment, and crew liberty.

“This crew has shown tremendous resilience in overcoming the last 4 months,” remarked Senior Chief David Chisholm. “Completing difficult consecutive certifications while learning a new ship and being away from family. This team made it look easy and brought a whole new meaning to the term ‘Beloit Proud.’”

Operation Specialist first class petty officer Ernesto Sanchez, USS Beloit’s Sailor of the Year, highlighted the crew’s determination, quoting Capt. James Lawrence, “Don’t give up the ship.”

With only a few hundred nautical miles left before reaching Jacksonville, the crew is eager to reunite with loved ones and face future missions as the Navy’s newest warship becomes part of the fleet.

The LCS platform is crafted for fast, agile operations in near-shore environments, yet capable of open-ocean tasks. Its design aims to counter asymmetric threats and support maritime security and deterrence.