She was built by Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. At her christening on 16 September 2006, the principal address was delivered by Senator Susan Collins of Maine, and the vessel was christened by Clara Parsons, great-granddaughter of R.Adm. Sampson and daughter of William Sterling Parsons, as the ship's sponsor. Commander Philip Roos is the ship's first commanding officer. She was commissioned in Boston, Massachusetts on 3 November 2007.