WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus has announced the naming of the USS Wichita, a new combat ship that’s expected to be launched next year.

A ship-naming ceremony for the vessel was held Wednesday morning at Wichita City Hall. Mabus said at the meeting that naming a ship after a city or state is an “expression of gratitude” for their support.

Kansas is home to about 230,000 Navy veterans. The Wichita Eagle reports that the state’s ship building and repair industry contributes $126 million each year to its gross domestic product.

The USS Wichita is designed to handle both near-shore and open-ocean operations The ship is the third in 76 years to carry the name of Wichita.