Sailors from the future USS Pierre (LCS 38) visit their ship’s namesake city, Pierre, beginning 16 September. During the visit, the sailors will have the opportunity to meet with the USS Pierre Commissioning Committee and learn about the city and history of Pierre. They will also receive a tour from Pierre’s Mayor, Steve Harding, speak at local elementary schools, volunteer with Feeding South Dakota and enjoy a social event onboard a local riverboat on the Missouri River. Namesake visits are an opportunity for sailors to visit the city that their ship is named after. In the case of the future USS Pierre, it is a chance for the sailors and the citizens of the city to begin to build a lasting relationship.

“We are incredibly appreciative of the hospitality and warm welcome we receive when visiting our namesake cities,” said Master Chief David Hyatt, command master chief of Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One. “Namesake visits are a unique opportunity for our sailors to engage with communities that don’t often interact with sailors, these visits allow the sailors to make a commitment and build strong relationships across the country while upholding the legacies and values with one of America’s greatest cities. The sailors of future USS Pierre are here to showcase the caliber of sailors that are serving aboard the ships that protect this nation.”

      17 September
1.) Students and sailors assigned to PCU Pierre (LCS 38) cite the Pledge of Allegiance during school engagements while on their namesake visit. ...................................................................................(240917-N-TI693-1003)
2.) EN2 Logan Ochsenbine (Zanesville, Oh.), LSC Romae Bradley (Dededo, Guam), and CO Cmdr. Justin Guernsey (Philadelphia, Pa.) at a school engagements during their visit. ..............................(240917-N-TI693-1041)
3.) Chief Logistics Specialist Romae Bradley, from Dededo, Guam, assigned to PCU Pierre (LCS 38), conducts school engagements during the crew's namesake visit. ..................................................(240917-N-TI693-1083)
4.) Cmdr. Justin Guernsey, commanding officer of the pre-commissioning unit PCU Pierre (LCS 38), center, conducts school engagements during the crew's namesake visit. ........................................(240917-N-TI693-1080)
5.) Mineman 3rd Class Sekema Williams (Farmington, N.M.), assigned to the pre-commissioning unit USS Pierre (LCS 38), conducts school engagements during the crew's namesake visit. ...............(240917-N-TI693-1104)
6.) FC1 Class Jonathan Schaak (Newark, Cal.), and LSC Romae Bradley (Dededo, Guam), attend the Pierre city commissioners meeting to introduce themselves during a ship namesake visit. ............(240917-N-TI693-2038)
7.) Sailors assigned to Pierre pose for a photo with the Pierre commissioning committee and ship's sponsor, Larissa Hargens, at the city commissioners meeting. .............................................................(240917-N-TI693-2052)
      18 September
8.) Sailors assigned to pre-commissioning unit Pierre pose for a photo with Larissa Hargens, the ship's sponsor, in front of the Capitol building during a ship namesake visit. ........................................(240918-N-TI693-1167)
9.) Governor Kristi Noem poses for a photo with sailors assigned to the pre-commissioning unit PCU Pierre (LCS 38), during the ship's namesake visit. ..........................................................................(240918-N-TI693-1268)
10.) Steve Harding, Pierre mayor, shows CSC Aaron Beugler (Arcata, Cal.) and FC1 Class Jonathan Schaak (Newark, Cal.) the Hall of Honor while on a tour of the Capitol. .........................................(240918-N-TI693-1186)
11.) Cmdr. Justin Guernsey, from Philadelphia, commanding officer of the pre-commissioning unit Pierre, meets local supporters at an event hosted by the American Legion. ........................................(240918-N-TI693-3002)
12.) Lt. Marshal Van Gundy, from Denver, weapons officer assigned to PCU Pierre, describes his job responsibilities at an event hosted by the American Legion. ...........................................................(240918-N-TI693-3034)
      19 September
13.) Lt. Marshal Van Gundy, weapons officer, CSC Aaron Beugler, senior enlisted leader, and Cdr. Justin Guernsey, CO, all participate in a radio interview during the ship's namesake visit. .................(240919-N-TI693-1039)
14.) Mineman 3rd Class Sekema Williams, assigned to the pre-commissioning unit Pierre, from Farmington, N.M., participates in a volunteer event during the ship's namesake visit. ............................(240919-N-TI693-2036)
15.) EN2 Logan Ochsenbine (Zanesville, Oh.), and LSC Romae Bradley (Dededo, Guam), both assigned to PCU Pierre, participate in a volunteer event during a ship namesake visit. ...........................(240919-N-TI693-2019)