The USS Kingsville, one of the last Independence-class littoral combat ships built for the Navy, was christened Saturday in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Cmdr. Ludwig Mann III, Kingsville’s commanding officer, reported the ship manned and ready, and the ship sponsor, gave the traditional order to “Man our ship and bring her to life!” T-45C aircraft assigned to Training Squadron 21 at Naval Air Station Kingsville flew overhead as the crew ran aboard the ship.

Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Financial Management and Comptroller, Russell Rumbaugh, delivered the commissioning ceremony’s principal address. The ceremony also featured remarks from Vice Adm. Brad Skillman, the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Integration and Capabilities and Resources; U.S. Reps Vicente Gonzalez Jr. and Michael Cloud; Kingsville Mayor Sam Fugate; and Corpus Christie Mayor Paulette Guajardo.

“This experience is a unique one and should be cherished. You will create a culture that I am sure will last as the Kingsville way for decades to come,” Skillman said. “... I also know you and the crew are ready to get out there and do the Navy’s and the nation’s business around the globe. Tough and confident, go get them.”

Kingsville, the 18th Independence-variant LCS, is the first to bear the name and pays homage to the city of Kingsville and the King Ranch. The ship’s sponsor is a member of the sixth generation of the King Ranch family, descendants of steamboat captain Richard King, who founded the King Ranch in Kingsville in 1853. The King Ranch continues to foster a relationship with Naval Air Station Kingsville, which was founded in 1942 and is located three miles from the city’s center.

The Kingsville is a 422-foot aluminum-hull trimaran that is designed to operate in shallow, near-shore waters, primarily to identify and neutralize mines and to conduct maritime security, according to the Navy. Independence-class LCS are capable of traveling nearly 50 mph in ideal sea conditions, making them among the fastest vessels in the Navy.

The ships integrate with joint combined, manned and unmanned teams to support forward presence, maritime security, sea control and deterrence missions around the globe.

Many LCS will be replaced by the new Constellation-class frigates now under development by the Navy. The first of those vessels won’t be ready until at least 2027.

USS Kingsville will homeport in San Diego.

Contributing: The San Diego Union-Tribune.