The mission of the USS Green Bay

LONG BEACH, Calif. - The USS Green Bay is essentially a high tech Navy transport ship for the Marine Corps to get troops to and from where they need to go.

"We do six month deployments pick them up and take them over...work more as a team," said Robert Stevens, USS Green Bay.

The USS Green Bay will use hover crafts and boats to transport ship to shore by water. The back of the ship opens up to let boats in. And on the large deck of the ship, helicopters, the Osprey tilt rotor aircraft and even Harrier Jets will be used to transport by air.

The ship will be used for not only combat missions but also humanitarian relief.

"That's one of the things we do too and we're always deployable for those types of situations," said Ramon Ognita, USS Green Bay.

Keep in mind it takes a crew of 360 to carry any mission out in addition to taking care of the needs of those aboard the ship on a daily basis. That's why they have crew members specially trained in everything from cooking in the mess hall to security aboard the ship.

And each sailor is required to learn all about every aspect of the ship. That was evident as various crew members conducted tours this week for visitors from Northeast Wisconsin, including students from Lombardi Middle School.

"We've got a little bit of work that still needs to be done on the ship. We have a lot of training just to do a maiden voyage which is scheduled sometime in the future not sure when that is but when it comes around we'll be ready for it," said Michael Martinez, USS Green Bay:

Of course part of the crew's training is being well versed on the city of Green Bay too. Even the ship's commander has his office filled with mementos from Titletown.

Commander Joseph Olson is proud of his ship and his crews.

"I think we've done quite well we'll continue to train and do a good job for the fleet," said Olson.

At the commissioning ceremony Saturday morning the order will be given to man the ship. After the order is given, the USS Green Bay will officially be part of the Navy fleet.