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Navy says new ships named Sioux City, Omaha

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February 15th, 2012 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Two new Navy ships will be named for cities in Iowa and Nebraska. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced plans Wednesday for five new ships, including the USS Sioux City and the USS Omaha. They are littoral combat ships, which Mabus says are fast and agile, and can operate in shallow and deep waters. Mabus says he chose the names to honor the “patriotic, hard-working citizens” of Sioux City and Omaha. The USS Sioux City, which will be built in Marinette, Wis., will be 378 feet in length. The USS Omaha, which will be built in Mobile, Ala., will be 419 feet in length. Mabus also named three new Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyers — the USS John Finn, the USS Ralph Johnson and the USS Rafael Peralta.