SAN DIEGO -- The USS Makin Island, the U.S. Navy's newest multi-purpose amphibious assault ship, was commissioned during a ceremony at Naval Air Station North Island Saturday.

The ship arrived at its homeport in San Diego in September along with about 1,000 sailors.

Makin Island, which was designed to carry Marines, amphibious landing craft, hovercraft, helicopters and Harrier jets, is the final of eight Wasp Class amphibious assault ships.

It is the first to be built with gas turbine engines and electric drive technology that, according to the Navy, will save nearly $250 million in fuel costs over the ship's lifetime.

"The USS Makin Island represents the centerpiece and future of naval expeditionary warfare and will significantly enhance our ability to rapidly respond to emergent tasking around the world," said Rear Adm. Earl Gay, commander of Expeditionary Strike Group Three.

"Her commissioning is a watershed moment for our Navy-Marine Corps team and I am honored to have her in the fleet."

The ship is named after Makin Island, which was the scene of an attack on U.S. Marines early in World War II.