Secretary of the US Navy Carlos Del Toro has revealed that a future Constellation-class guided missile frigate, FFG 69, will be named USS Joy Bright Hancock.
Secretary Del Toro made the announcement at the 11th Women, Peace and Security Symposium, hosted by the US Naval War College in Newport on December 16.
The naming selection honors Captain Joy Bright Hancock (1898–1986). Born in New Jersey, Captain Hancock, who was instrumental in the passage of the Women’s Armed Service Integration Act of 1948, was one of eight women to be sworn into the regular navy and was subsequently appointed Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel for Women.
She retired from active duty in June 1953. During her long career, Captain Hancock received commendations for her service to the Bureau of Naval Aeronautics and the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air) during WWII, as well as for her assistance in expanding opportunities for women in the US Navy.
The future USS Joy Bright Hancock will be the tenth of the new Constellation-class frigates. The other ships in the class are USS Constellation (FFG 62), USS Congress (FFG 63), USS Chesapeake (FFG 64), USS Lafayette (FFG 65), and USS Hamilton (FFG 66).
Secretary Del Toro named the future USS Lafayette (FFG 65) in 2023 and the future USS Hamilton (FFG 66) and future USS Galvez (FFG 67) in 2024. FFG 68 will be named in 2025.
The Constellation-class guided-missile frigate represents the Navy’s next-generation small surface combatant.
The vessels will have multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare, and information operations.
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