McClain, Whitmer Christen Ship Named After City Of Lansing

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 01/12/2026) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Romeo) this weekend for the christening ceremony of the USNS Lansing in Mobile, Ala. formally marking the ship’s completion and readiness for service as the first Navy vessel named after Michigan’s capital city.

Whitmer and McClain served as bipartisan co-sponsors of the ship, a ceremonial role that carries symbolic responsibility for the vessel throughout its service life. As part of the event, the sponsors participated in a mast-stepping ceremony, placing a token inside the ship’s mast step for good luck. Whitmer selected a key to the city of Lansing, presented by Lansing Mayor Andy Schor.

The ceremony also included the traditional christening, in which a ceremonial bottle of champagne was broken against the ship’s bow.

“It is an honor to be a sponsor for the first Navy ship named after our state’s capital,” Whitmer said, calling the vessel a reflection of Lansing’s history of innovation, manufacturing and collaboration. She also emphasized Michigan’s longstanding role in national defense and urged continued investment in defense manufacturing.

Whitmer was formally named sponsor of the USNS Lansing in July 2024 by former Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, who attended Tuesday’s ceremony. She previously joined Del Toro in Mobile in September 2024 for the ship’s keel-laying ceremony, which signaled the start of construction.

The USNS Lansing is an Expeditionary Fast Transport, designed to operate in shallow waterways and support a range of missions, including high-speed transport of troops, military vehicles and equipment. The vessel will be used for both military and humanitarian operations.

Several components of the ship were manufactured in Michigan, including its main propulsion engines built in Novi and the stern ramp produced in Kingsford, highlighting the state’s contribution to naval construction.