Jennifer Adams, part of a group of distinguished visitors visiting USS New York, holds a Shoulder-Launched, Multi-purpose Assault Weapon, while Sgt. Nathan Dettling, an infantry assaultman, explains the purpose and function of the weapon system. "The weight of what you have to carry is incredible!" exclaimed Adams, who quickly gave the gear back to Dettling. The Marines are part of Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force 26, a unit formed to support the commissioning of USS New York in New York City, Nov. 7, 2009. With 7 1/2 tons of steel recovered from the World Trade Center forged in her bow, the ship symbolizes America's perseverance in the face of adversity while honoring the memory of those lost, paying homage to the survivors, and building an enduring bond between the ship and the people of the state of New York. The role of SPMAGTF-26 is to represent future Marine expeditionary forces who will deploy on and from a vessel built around the Navy-Marine Corps team. As the newest Landing Platform Dock in the U.S. Navy's fleet, USS New York boasts a larger flight deck and well deck and has many other improvements designed to allow Marines to prepare for and execute missions quicker and more efficiently than previous versions of the LPD. USS New York is scheduled to arrive in New York City, Nov. 2, and will be open to public tours where the embarked Marines will display their gear and interact with visitors.