U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida's 23rd District is the principal speaker. Additional speakers include Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro; Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric Smith; Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantlis; and President of Ingalls Shipbuilding Kari Wilkinson. In a time-honored Navy tradition, the ship's sponsor, Meredith Berger, will give the first order to "man our ship and bring her to life."
 
The future USS Fort Lauderdale is the first naval ship to honor the city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
 
"Tomorrow we commission the future USS Fort Lauderdale, bringing a powerful war ship with a dedicated and determined crew to life," said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. "This ship will play an integral part in strengthening America’s partnerships and protecting our country’s security abroad."

The nearly 25,000-ton Fort Lauderdale is 684 feet in length. Four diesel engines will power the ship to speeds in excess of 22 knots, and it will homeport at Naval Station Norfolk in Norfolk, Virginia.
 
The future USS Fort Lauderdale is the 12th San Antonio-class ship, designed to support embarking, transporting, and bringing elements of 650 Marines ashore by landing craft or air-cushion vehicles. A flight deck hangar further enhances the ship's capabilities, which can support the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. 
 
San Antonio-class ships can support a variety of amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions, operating independently or as part of Amphibious Readiness Groups (ARGs), Expeditionary Strike Groups, or joint task forces. These capabilities allow the U.S. Navy to protect America's security abroad, promote regional stability, and preserve future peace.

The ceremony will be live streamed at: USS Fort Lauderdale Commissioning. The link becomes active approximately ten minutes prior to the event (9:50 a.m. EDT).