On November 8, 2011, Austal held a keel-laying ceremony for its second Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), “Choctaw County” (JHSV 2), one of seven Austal-designed 103-metre US Navy Joint High Speed Vessels under contract with the US Department of Defense.

Captain Henry W. Stevens , III (USN), Strategic and Theater Sealift Program Manager, PMS 385, served as the Authenticator at the ceremony, and was assisted by Brandon Mims . Brandon is an “A” Class welder who has been part of the Austal team since June 2007.