USS Cleveland Commissioned Today

(5-16-26) The U.S. Navy officially commissioned the USS Cleveland during a ceremony held today in its namesake city Cleveland on Saturday morning at the North Coast Yard.

The U.S. Navy commissioned the 13th and final Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Cleveland (LCS 31) in a ceremony held in Cleveland, Ohio, May 16. 🇺🇸https://t.co/l2XZ40NqeZ

— Naval News (@navalnewscom) May 16, 2026

The commissioning ceremony marks the official entry of the ship, designated as LCS-31, into active service “and celebrates the enduring connection between the Navy and the city of Cleveland. LCS 31 is the final Freedom-variant Littoral Combat Ship to be commissioned.“

A Historic Moment 

For the first time in 250 years, a @USNavy warship was commissioned in Ohio as USS Cleveland (LCS 31) officially joined the Fleet in her namesake city. 

As the newest fast and agile warship in the Fleet, USS Cleveland is built to operate across near-shore and… pic.twitter.com/vPmbBaEMBx

— PAE Maritime (@PAEMaritime) May 16, 2026

Acting Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Hung Cao, and Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Adm. Karl Thomas, provided remarks during the ceremony. Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb, Rep. Shontel Brown and Sen. Jon Husted were among other dignitaries who spoke.

It’s the 4th Naval vessel to carry the name USS Cleveland. Since the Civil War, innovators, business and the workforce of Cleveland have helped build the “Arsenal of Freedom.” https://t.co/EJeByKlaii

— Jon Husted (@JonHusted) May 16, 2026

Robyn Modly — wife of Cleveland native and former U.S. Under Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly — gave the traditional order as LCS-31’s sponsor:

“Man our ship and bring her to life!”

At that moment, the crew ran aboard the vessel and the USS Cleveland officially entered the fleet.