The preparations for the launch were very well planned. On September 9, the Bougainville was cautiously moved from shore to Ingalls’ floating dry dock using translating railcars. Here, the accomplished Ingalls crew made the last preparations, making sure that everything was done perfectly in time for the ship’s historic plunge into the ocean. Interestingly, the Bougainville is the first of its class in the America class to have a well deck, which increases its adaptability by fusing surface attack and aviation capabilities.

The America-class ships’ versatility and multipurpose design are key components. These boats are capable of performing well in a variety of demanding circumstances, whether they are part of an expeditionary strike group, an amphibious task force, or an amphibious readiness group. Modern naval engineering at its best, the Bougainville can handle cutting-edge aircraft like the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter and MV-22 Osprey. It also has state-of-the-art medical facilities.

The program manager for amphibious ships at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Gene Miller, expressed his delight in the team’s accomplishment and emphasized the importance of teamwork and devotion to the project. “We are honored to be building such a versatile ship for our Navy and Marine Corps partners, and this launch represents a significant accomplishment for our entire LHA shipbuilding team,” Miller said.

The Bougainville’s debut continues Ingalls’ long-standing tradition of providing vital ships to the US Navy. Having having delivered fifteen large-deck amphibious ships, Ingalls is at the forefront of naval innovation. The corporation is still dedicated to improving the national security of the United States, providing not just formidable vessels but also state-of-the-art solutions in a variety of fields, such as cyber technology and unmanned systems.

As the construction of the Bougainville progresses, attention now turns to the next ship in the pipeline, the Fallujah (LHA 9), reaffirming Ingalls’ ongoing contribution to bolstering the nation’s defense capabilities.

In conclusion, the launch of the Bougainville LHA 8 stands as a testament to the unwavering commitment of HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division to excellence and innovation in service of the nation. With a workforce of 43,000 strong and a legacy spanning over 135 years, HII continues to shape the future of naval warfare, ensuring peace and freedom for generations to come.