 She was laid down on 27 October 2011 at Marinette Marine, Marinette, Wisconsin; launched on 18 December 2013; sponsored by Mrs. Sylvia M. Panetta, wife of Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta; and commissioned on 21 November 2015.Over the 2015 Labor Day weekend holiday, it was reported that "Milwaukee" generated waves greater than five feet tall during test runs near Door County's Chambers Island which damaged more than 40 boats.