Why is INDEPENDENCE being commissioned in Mobile?
The U. S. Navy likes to have ships commissioned in various port cities throughout the United States. This allows those communities to learn about the Navy and participate in the patriotism and nautical traditions involved in such an event. It also exposes the crew to that port city and establishes a link between the community and the ship. Since INDEPENDENCE is being built in Mobile, it makes sense to commission her in the state that provided the labor and much of the materials to build her. The commissioning will take place along the waterfront in Mobile, AL.
