Greetings, everyone. Welcome to Mighty Line Minute. This is Dave.

Today, we're looking at the Littoral Combat Ship - or LCS - built to operate near shores and inland waters while still capable in the open ocean. The Freedom-class LCS, as it's known, is among the U.S. Navy's fastest warships. Let's take a look.

I went to the shores of Lake Erie near Mighty Line headquarters to watch USS Cleveland arrive, traveling from Wisconsin through Lake Huron and the Detroit River before tracing Lake Erie's southern shoreline.

LCS-31 is a Freedom-class littoral combat ship, part of a new generation of fast, agile warships designed for operations close to shore. Unlike large destroyers or aircraft carriers built for blue-water combat, LCS ships emphasize speed, flexibility, and modular mission packages for coastal environments.

This weekend was USS Cleveland's commissioning ceremony at the Port of Cleveland. It was historic. The first U.S. Navy warship named to honor the city of Cleveland. The event highlighted modern naval engineering and gave Ohioans a chance to tour an active warship.

The USS Cleveland is a Freedom Class Littoral Combat Ship. What does that mean? It means it's designed to go fast, 40-plus knots, get inshore with its 14.7-foot draft, and attack... fast attack crafts and small boats. Kill the enemy. Blow things up. Sorry, for not putting it in simple terms.

You may remember S2 E51 of Mighty Line Minute, where in that episode, we covered the Battle of Lake Erie. In 1813, Oliver Hazard Perry defeated the British in a decisive naval engagement. That victory, just 50 miles west of Cleveland, helped secure American control of the Northwest Territory.

USS Cleveland now transitions into active service with the US Navy's Atlantic Fleet. Homeported in Mayport, Florida, it will join other service combatants deploying across the Caribbean, the Atlantic, and beyond.

So what's the purpose of a littoral combat ship like USS Cleveland? It starts with the word littoral, meaning coastal or near-shore waters. Including 50-caliber machine guns.

Of course, there are trade-offs, especially when compared with larger and heavier frigates or destroyers. LCS ships are more lightly armed, relying on speed, sensors, and flexibility rather than heavy armor or large missile salvos.

Overall, USS Cleveland, LCS-31, reflects a shift in naval thinking from heavily armed blue-water combatants to fast, networked, and adaptable ships built for today's maritime challenges. While the LCS marks an evolving Navy and a new area of littoral warfare, many challenges remain ahead.

As for the future, newer frigate-class ships, larger, more heavily armed, multi-mission surface combatants will represent the next step in Navy development, capable of operating in both littoral waters and the open ocean.

Thanks for listening. We look forward to covering more innovations shaping the world in the next edition of Mighty Line Minute. Stay safe.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's my distinct honor and privilege to welcome you to Cleveland, Ohio, and the commissioning of USS Cleveland. I'm Commander Adam Klein, the ship's executive officer. On behalf of the crew of USS Cleveland, I would like to express our sincere gratitude for your joining us here today.

We are here today to celebrate the commissioning of USS Cleveland, the fourth warship to bear the name of the Forest City.

Construction began on the ship you see behind me in June 2021, and she was christened on April 15th, 2023 at Fincantieri Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin. Today, USS Cleveland is tested and battle ready. We are all very proud to serve on the newest littoral combat ship in the United States Navy.

The commissioning ceremony is a time-honored tradition that began with the commissioning of the Navy's first ship, a captured British schooner, the Margaretta, in 1775. Since then, thousands of ships have undergone the transition from silent hull to fully alive warship. My shipmates - our crew - hereafter known as plank owners, are in formation and ready. Platform hand salute. 

Ladies and gentlemen, Chaplain Rupnick will deliver the invocation. 

Almighty God, as we gather here today, we pray to you, our ultimate guardian. We ask for your divine protection, guidance, wisdom, and courage as we mark this important occasion This is not only the commissioning of the USS Cleveland LCS 31, but rather this is a celebration in recognition of the culmination of design, engineering, creativity, and strategic thinking which has achieved this milestone.

We thank all those who have made this possible through their efforts, and we recognize them for their part in making today what it is. We celebrate this tremendous accomplishment with the shipbuilders, the crew, the City of Cleveland, and the United States Navy. We honor the occasion and we thank you for blessing us and guiding us along the way.

We know that we live in a fallen world, and as such, war and conflict are often an unfortunate way of life and a reality of our world. We don't celebrate the fact that we need to create weapons, but we celebrate that we are willing and able to do what is right, to stand for what is just, and to defend freedom.

As we commission this Freedom-class littoral combat ship, we do so to ensure freedom for our nation and for all those around the globe. Until such a time as we can turn our swords into plowshares, we ask that you guide us, protect us, and strengthen us. In your most humbly name we pray. Amen.

Thank you, Chaplain Rupnik. Will the guests please be seated. Cleveland, parade rest.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Honorable Justin M. Bibb.

Thank you. Welcome to the great City of Cleveland, Ohio. This is just a fitting occasion in not only our city's history, but our nation's history. And as a son of a Navy veteran, I couldn't think of a more fitting occasion to celebrate what makes Cleveland such a special city.

As we all know, this year we're celebrating 250 years of America being a country. But we are also celebrating the 230th birthday of Cleveland, Ohio. I think this is the best birthday gift our city could ever And so while this ship will bear the name of our great city around the world, I also want folks out there to recognize and know this ship was built, built by great Cleveland companies. From Lincoln Electric. To Sherwin-Williams. To Parker Hannifin. To TransDigm. To Swagelok. To Eaton, and Cleveland-Cliffs, and so many more. Let's give them a big round of applause if we can.

 This is more than just a Navy ship. It's more than just a symbol of the great military might of this great country, but this ship and this moment is a national moment to show that we are united and that our country will always be a shining symbol of hope around the world. God bless, and thank you so much. Congratulations, all.

Thank you, Mayor Bibb. Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Stephanie C. Hill.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen and distinguished guests. Mayor Bibb, thank you for hosting us in your beautiful city, and happy birthday to you as well. I'd like to offer my congratulations and special thanks to Robin Modly, Senator Husted, Representative Brown, Secretary Cal, Admiral Thomas, and Commander Hallett.

I'm so honored to join you today to represent Lockheed Martin, who together with our industry partners and the U.S. Navy, are proud to deliver this extraordinary warship.

The USS Cleveland brings together speed, agility, advanced lethality, cyber capability, integrated helicopter operations, and support for special operations. But ships like this are only possible through partnership.

And to the sailors, may you carry forward the courage of those who came before you, honor the responsibility entrusted to you, and know that you represent not only this ship, but all those who depend upon it.

We wish you Godspeed, fair winds, and following seas. Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Hill. Ladies and gentlemen, the Honorable Shontel Brown.

Good morning, everyone. Good morning. Thank you. What an extraordinary day for Cleveland, for the Navy, and for every worker, welder, engineer, sailor, and family member who helped bring this ship to life. Today, we commission the USS Cleveland, and in so many ways, this ship is truly Cleveland.

Its steel comes from the Cleveland Cliffs. Its welds from Lincoln Electric. Its systems and components from Parker Hannifin and Transdigm. It's coatings from Sherwin-Williams. Hundreds, even thousands of pieces of Northeast Ohio craftsmanship are built into this vessel. Because Cleveland has always been a city that builds things.

We build industries, we build communities, we build resilience, and now together, we have built a ship that will carry the name of our city across the world. You can see Cleveland throughout this vessel in the skyline, on the seal, and in the hallways named after our city. But the real spirit of Cleveland is not just painted on this ship, it's embedded in the people who made her possible.

And I'll tell you this, wherever I go, I talk about the people of Cleveland with enormous pride. I talk about a city that doesn't quit, a city of builders, nurses, teachers, factory workers, entrepreneurs, and veterans, tough people, resilient people. But I also talk about something else, that Cleveland is a caring place, a place where people look out for one another, where strength is matched by heart.

And this ship travels the world carrying the name Cleveland across her hull. I hope others will come to know our city the same way, strong enough to endure, confident enough to lead, and grounded enough to remember our shared humanity. Because real power is not just forged in steel, but in the values and people underneath it.

To Commander Hallett and the crew of the USS Cleveland, thank you for your service, your sacrifice, and your willingness to carry this city's name with honor. The USS Cleveland will help protect our nation, support our allies, keep vital trade routes open, and help preserve stability.

May God bless the crew of the USS Cleveland, may God bless their families, and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Thank you, Representative Brown. Ladies and gentlemen, the Honorable John Husted.

Mr. Secretary, Admiral Thomas, Commander Hallett, our veterans in attendance, our active duty military and their families, fellow Ohioans and Americans, it is a distinct honor to join you today for the celebration of the commissioning of the USS Cleveland.

I know that the USS Cleveland is a fast ship. It will hunt the enemy with precision, speed, and mission. It will complete that mission. Similar vessels as to this are out there today protecting our nation, including near the Strait of Hormuz.

It is an amazing, amazing naval vessel that we can all be proud of. This is also a recognition of the power and the prestige of Made in America. And as I always say, you cannot do Made in America without Made in Ohio, because from the food you eat, to the cars you drive, to the trucks that deliver, to the airplanes that fly, and now before you, the ships that defend our nation. All of that require a supply chain from the great people of the State of Ohio, and in this case, the City of Cleveland.

I don't know if you know that the arsenal of freedom first started in this city with manufacturers who made equipment to supply the Union Army for the cause of freedom during the Civil War, and on through World War I, and certainly into World War II, where Franklin Delano Roosevelt asked our nation and our builders to build the arsenal of democracy.

And Cleveland, at that time, had companies like Cleveland-Cliffs, Parker Hannifin, Lincoln Electric, Sherwin-Williams, that were part of building the arsenal of democracy and freedom for the victory in World War II, and these companies stand as part of what is built right here behind you, and they are joined by other Cleveland companies that have been mentioned, TransDigm, Swagelok, Ohio CAT.

There are so many others that are part of the supply chain of this great vessel. Cleveland has a proud tradition in protecting American freedom and the cause of freedom around the world. And that is why I believe this is the fourth ship to bear the name of USS Cleveland.

I hope, on America's 250 and Cleveland's 230, that we rededicate ourselves to the sacrifice, the spirit of sacrifice- And the culture of innovation that it takes to win that freedom and to preserve that freedom, and the bravery of the men and women of our military, especially today our sailors, who provide that blanket of freedom to all of us.

And so today, may God bless this ship. May God bless its captain and crew, and may God continue to bless the great nation that we thrive and live in, the United States of America. God bless us all. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Senator Husted. Ladies and gentlemen, Admiral Karl Thomas.

I'm truly honored to be with you today for a really historic occasion. Today, we're gathered to celebrate more than just the commissioning of the USS Cleveland. We're gathered to celebrate a legacy of American shipbuilding, to celebrate a pristine example of our country's industrial might, forged in her heartland and delivered to her shores, and we are gathered to celebrate the young men and women who will embark this ship.

To the crew of this great ship, as you continue your journey, may your sponsor's legacy of selfless service be a guiding beacon. Mrs. Modly, thank you for the steadfast support that you will forever provide this crew. For the first time in 250 years of the United States Navy, we are commissioning a warship in the state of Ohio.

We have brought the fleet to the heartland, and today, American naval history is being made right here in Cleveland. Built by Midwestern hands just up the Great Lakes, she represents the culmination of a generation of shipbuilding. She is the final hull of her class, designed for speed, agility, and lethality in the contested waters around the world.

But while the steel is new, her name carries a storied legacy. As you've heard, she is the fourth United States warship to proudly bear the name Cleveland, and her predecessors were fighters. The first protected American interests during World War I. The second was a legendary World War II light cruiser that earned a staggering 13 battle stars.

The third served this nation for an incredible 44 years, projecting American strength by delivering United States Marines straight to the fight. And today, LCS-31 inherits, inherits that exact same fighting spirit. She joins a global force that is absolutely vital to the city that she leaves behind because the security of every American city, coastal or inland, is inextricably linked to the freedom of the seas.

The Port of Cleveland is a strategically important port on the Great Lakes. From the iron ore that builds our nation, to the cargo, to the manufacturing supply chains that fuel Midwest industry, our economy relies on the St. Lawrence Seaway and the global waters beyond. Ninety percent of global commerce travels by sea.

Those maritime commons are the arteries of the world economy, and they are protected by one force, your United States Navy. And right now, your Navy is providing the combat credibility and persistent global presence that secures our vital interests, deters our adversaries, and guarantees freedom of the seas and our nation's prosperity.

We ensure that the goods flowing out of the Port of Cleveland can safely reach the world, and that global markets remain open to Ohio. Securing the maritime commons isn't just a coastal priority, it's a Cleveland priority, and it's a national imperative. But a warship is more than its mission, and it is more than just steel.

A ship is its crew. So to the men and women of the pre-commissioning unit, the plank owners, through your sweat and sacrifice in the shipyards You brought life into the steel of this vessel. Your culture and esprit de corps will create the unwavering fighting spirit that will embolden the ship and the crews who follow you.

Cleveland's motto, "Forge a legacy," demands action. The real work begins tomorrow. When you leave the pier, you will trade the celebration of this freshwater coast for the uncompromising responsibility in the fleet. You're entering the foundry where we forge crews and their ships into lethal warships. In the months ahead, beneath the heat and the pressure of training cycles and certifications, the true combat readiness of this crew will be tested and forged.

But through the heavy unseen work, you will enter the fleet, and when called upon to fight, you will not fail. And through that shared hardship, you will forge a bold legacy of your own, one absolutely worthy of the name of the hull, worthy of the sponsor who guides you, and worthy of the nation that you defend.

Commander Hallett, the responsibility of command is absolute. The honor of this city and the readiness of this warship are now in your hands. Lead and train your crew well, and bring them home safely. This city has given this ship her name and her fighting spirit. Now, Commander, it's your job to take her to the fight.

May God bless the crew of the Cleveland, the United States Navy, and the United States of America. It's now my distinct honor to introduce the acting Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Hung Cao. As a decorated combat veteran with an impressive Navy career spanning special operations, explosive ordnance disposal, and surface warfare, he has truly forged his own legacy.

Today, he is at our, the helm of our Navy, fighting every day to ensure that our sailors have the tools they need to fight and win. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome The Honorable Hung Cao.

All right, good morning. Good morning.

On behalf of President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, it is an absolute honor to join you today for the commissioning of the Navy's newest warship, USS Cleveland. I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to your ship's sponsor, Mrs. Robin Modly, your presence, Ma'am, to the ship and her crew have been an anchor to these sailors, and this ship will forever be your ship as well.

This year, we celebrate our nation's two hundred and fiftieth birthday. With sheer American grit and a can-do attitude, our forefathers achieved the impossible. Out of blood, sweat, and tears, they forged a great republic that still shines a light of hope across the world. Our country was not built by politicians or philosophers.

It was built by craftsmen, men and women who worked with their hands to build America. It was a craftsman, a silversmith by the name of Paul Revere, who devised an early warning system during the Revolutionary War. It was a craftsman, a typesetter named Benjamin Franklin, who helped draft the most incredible document in history, the Constitution of the United States of America.

It was craftsmen that built the Transcontinental Railroad, which has been the artery of America for more than a hundred and sixty years. It was a craftsman, a machinist named Henry Ford, who created the assembly line, which led to the Industrial Revolution and propelled America to be a superpower. It was a pair of craftsmen, bicycle shop owners, the Wright brothers, who set the stage for America's journey, crossing the Atlantic and putting a man on the moon by inventing the airplane.

When the world needed us, our craftsmen built ships, aircraft, and tanks, so we can liberate the world against oppression. When the world wars ended, our craftsmen beat the swords back into plowshares, and we rebuilt America. In my personal life, it was a craftsman, a carpenter, who transformed my life and the lives of billions around the world and became my Lord and Savior.

Today, the spirit of the craftsman lives here in Cleveland.

This ship is an agile, multi-focused warship, providing flexible platform designed to operate independently in near shore or as a networked battle force. This ship is named after the City of Cleveland, a reflection of the city's deep naval history and industrial might. During the Second World War, it was craftsmen of Cleveland in Northern Ohio who transformed this region into the arsenal of democracy.

The craftsmen of Cleveland supplied critical iron, steel, and components to build the fleets that won the war. During the war, naval aviators trained in combat right here on the Great Lakes on USS Wolverine and USS Sable. Both the City of Cleveland and our shipbuilders represent the absolute American spirit of innovation and our can-do ethos.

As we commission USS Cleveland, we celebrate another symbol of the unbreakable linkage that ties craftsmanship of our shipyard workers and the American sailors who will man this ship. As the sixteenth and final variant, this ship represents a culmination of years of technological innovation.

What this means for this country and for Cleveland and Ohio is that we will need to triple or quadruple our manufacturing capacity, creating hundreds and thousands of high-skilled American jobs right here at home. Because a strong industrial base is not just an e-economic goal, it is a national security imperative.

Sailors of the USS Cleveland, you are ready. Our nation is immensely proud of what you've achieved, and we sleep soundly tonight knowing you'll be standing the watch. We are a maritime nation. We border on both the Pacific and the Atlantic. Our commerce depends on safe and secure sea lanes of communications.

President Trump's commission to our military is simple: to achieve peace through strength. USS Cleveland joins the fleet ready to answer the call to action, and she will sail to her home port in Mayport, Florida, fully prepared to defend our nation's interests across the globe. The world knows we can be your biggest allies.

I've seen that when I was brought out of Vietnam 51 years ago and brought into this country and given a home and something to believe in. But we can also be your worst enemy. All you have to do is ask Iran.

To the crew of USS Cleveland, as your acting Secretary of Navy, I'm never above you, I'm never below you, I'm always beside you. Thank you to the craftsmen who continue to build this great nation, and on behalf of the sailors and Marines, I salute you. May God bless you, may God bless this ship, and may God bless the United States of America.

Thank you.

Thank you, Secretary Cao. Sir, I would be honored if you would now place Cleveland in commission. (Thank you.) All right. On behalf of the President of the United States, I hereby place United States ship Cleveland in commission. May God bless and guide this warship and all who sail in her. 

Well done, Sir. Thank you, Secretary Cao. 

Executive officer, hoist the colors and commission pennant. [Aye, aye, Sir!]. Ship's company, Attention! I direct your attention to the ship's main mast as we hoist the colors and commission pennant.

Quartermaster, hoist the colors and commission pennant. 

Aye, aye, Sir!

Admiral Thomas, United States ship Cleveland is in commission, and I am in command.

Executive Officer, set the first watch.

Aye, aye, Sir!

Officer of the deck, set the first watch. Aye, aye, Sir! The officer of the deck is the commanding officer's direct representative and while on watch is responsible for the safety and smooth operation of the ship.

Set the watch on deck, section one.

The watch is set, Sir.

Very well. Captain, the watch is set. 

Very well.

The spirit of a US Navy warship is the embodiment of her sponsor. Our sponsor, Ms. Robin Modly, christened this ship in Marinette on April 15th, 2023, and imbued this ship and crew with her sense of devotion and grace.

In April of 2023, I broke the bottle on the bow of the ship that signaled her launch into the water for the first time. But I'd like to tell you about a more private, intimate ceremony that is also an honored naval tradition. This one is called the mast stepping ceremony. It was held about a month ago at Fincantieri Shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin.

This event will mark the occasion when a ceremonial silver box containing symbolic artifacts was welded to the mast of the ship. For our ship, the contents of the box are meant to represent the city of Cleveland, the character of its citizens, and the vision of the shipbuilders and the Navy personnel who will support her during her time in service.

Each item is meaningful and is intended to infuse in the ship the characters strength-- character traits of strength, courage, perseverance, and clarity of purpose. Some items draw from Cleveland heroes of the past, like the corpsman patch worn by our local Navy hero, Emory Crowder from Westlake, Ohio.

I know Emory is delighting in this ceremony today from heaven. Still other items give a nod to the future, such as challenge coins containing powerful words to propel her journey forward. Each one is intended to infuse a spirit of strength and inspiration.

You may not think of all your days aboard this ship as glorious, but they can be. Each day of your service will be defined by honor. Every single day that you wake up and perform your duties aboard this ship, you will be doing something honorable for the mission. Every time you choose to encourage someone with a bad attitude, you will be doing something honorable for your people.

Every time you maximize your efforts to better your team, you will be doing something honorable for your Navy. And every time you look beyond what is lacking and focus on what is possible, you will be doing something honorable for our nation. There is tremendous value and honor in the honor of all these acts of service.

As I close, I want to remind you that the American flag is often associated and referred to as Old Glory. It is a symbolic representation of our nation's strength, perseverance, pride, and honor.

When it was draped on the shoulders of our triumphant Olympic athletes, it was a glorious day. When it was planted in the soil on the moon, it was a glorious day. And when it has flown in victory above the grounds and seas of battle throughout our nation's history, there was no mistaking its meaning. It was a glorious day.

Today, we take the final step in a time-honored tradition. We witness history by commissioning this ship in the cities whose name she will carry to the sea. We all know that getting to this day has not been easy. Many years have passed since the ship was authorized by Congress and named by the Secretary of the Navy in 2018. Today, Cleveland will become an official ship of the line in the greatest navy in the world.

And because of that, you should know that every day of service of this ship will vividly demonstrate these words, "It's a glorious day."

And now, for the moment we have all been waiting for, officers and crew of USS Cleveland, man our ship and bring her to life.

Aye, Ma'am!

Ladies and gentlemen, the crew of USS Cleveland salutes YOU! We are proud to serve in America's Navy. Cleveland, ready two. Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated.

Captain, the ship is manned 

and ready. Very well.

Commodore Smith, United States ship Cleveland is manned and ready and reports for duty.

Secretary Cao, request permission to break your flag, Sir. We are. Break my flag. Aye, Sir! Executive officer, break the flag of the acting Secretary of the Navy. Aye, Sir! 

Quartermaster, break the flag of the acting Secretary of the Navy. 

Aye, Sir!

Captain, the flag of the acting Secretary of the Navy is flying proudly over USS Cleveland. Very well.

Ladies and gentlemen, Commander Bruce Hallett, United States Navy, Commanding Officer, USS Cleveland.

Cleveland, parade rest. Good morning, everyone. Good morning.

Behind every sailor standing in formation this morning is a family that has supported long hours, changing schedules, distance, uncertainty, and service before self. Your support makes this mission possible, and this crew could not do it without you. And to the crew, this day belongs to you.

You have overcome challenges, adapted constantly, and maintained focus through every inspection, certification, casualty, and long day. And when things became difficult, you did not quit. You leaned in, and that matters because the first crew defines a ship. Years from now, sailors reporting aboard Cleveland will inherit the standards, culture, and reputation that you established here today.

You're not simply serving aboard this ship, you're writing the first chapter of her history. You are forging a legacy that will endure long after all of us have left these deck plates. The city of Cleveland is known for resilience, determination, hard work, and pride. Those same values should define this ship everywhere she sails.

Whether operating forward alongside allies and partners or answering the call in moments of crisis or conflict, this crew will carry the name Cleveland with professionalism, toughness, and pride. And I can say with complete confidence, this crew is ready: ready to sail, ready to fight, and ready to serve.

So, this morning, I would like everyone here to join the crew of USS Cleveland.

What city? [Cleveland!] What city? [Cleveland!] 

All heart. [No quit.] All heart. [No quit.] Cleveland. Outstanding. That spirit, all heart, no quit, is exactly what built this ship, what shaped this crew, and what will carry Cleveland forward in service to our nation. Today, we place this ship into active service for the United States of America. May USS Cleveland and her crew sail safely, serve proudly, and remain always ready for the challenges ahead.

Thank you all for being here today, and thank you for supporting these sailors. USS Cleveland, forge a legacy. Captain out.

Let us pray. Almighty God, we now stand ready, willing, and able. We received our orders. We ask that you guide us in the paths ahead. We pray for all those who will serve aboard this ship. From the commanding officer, executive officer, command master chief, and the entire crew of future and current sailors, we ask that they be guided in their duties and honored for their sacrifices.

We pray for their family members and ask that you give them peace. As the USS Cleveland's motto is: "To forge a legacy," may that legacy be one that brings honor to our nation, respect around the world, and pride to the crew. Guide them as they seek to serve faithfully in their role, doing whatever is asked of them, and protect them as they stand the watch.

We thank you for today and for the days ahead. In your name we pray. Amen.

 [music and narration]