WAVY News 10 travels on USS New York

ON BOARD THE USS NEW YORK - Rising from the ashes of September 11th, the USS New York sailed along the Hudson River Monday morning and stopped near Ground Zero for a 21 gun salute.

The Navy newest fighting vessel, made with steel from the fallen World Trade Center towers, then pulled into New York Harbor for a special welcoming ceremony.

But prior to Monday's ceremonies, 10 On Your Side's Art Kohn travelled onboard the New York as it left Naval Station Norfolk last week, bound for Camp Lejeune where it picked up members of 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and their equipment before heading to the Big Apple.

That Thursday morning, as the sailors aboard the USS New York pulled away from the piers at Naval Station Norfolk, they cruised past their sister ship the USS San Antonio. Although the two vessels look alike, there is something very unique about the New York.

"In the bow of the ship is seven-and-a-half tons of World Trade Center steel," CDR Curt Jones, Commanding Officer, USS New York, told 10 On Your Side. "That steel literally leads us through the water, and it's something that we have to keep in mind all the time."

The significance of that steel is not lost on Logistics Specialist First Class Frank Lewis.

"It shows our resilience. It shows no matter what happens we'll always come back, better and stronger."

But the USS New York is much more than a symbol of America's resolve, it is the latest tool in amphibious warfare.

The ship is manned by a crew of about 360 sailors. It will also carry about 700 Marines and their equipment.

One of the ways those Marines and equipment will be carried to shore is on air cushioned vessels called LCACs.

"We can maneuver these crafts into area that most other conventional landing craft would never be able to think of approaching," said LT Michael Warnis, LCAC pilot. "We can operate over land if the terrain permits."

"And then we have a flight deck where we can be landing and operating two Osprey which are the V-Stall aircraft of CH-53, or any number of other aircraft," said Jones.

The ship also contains an incredible amount of storage space below decks to house vehicles and equipment that travel on land, sea and air.

"We can accommodate almost twice as much stuff as the previous class of ships," said COL Mark Desens, U.S. Marine Crops.

And right now, the USS New York is the best in her class.   After the ship is commissioned on Saturday, it will stay in New York City through Veterans Day, then return to its homeport, Naval Station Norfolk.