The U.S. Navy commissioned the U.S.S. Missouri on July 31, 2010 during a ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., in which the ship officially "came to life" and joined the U.S. Navy fleet. The Missouri, the seventh in the Virginia class series of attack submarines, completed sea trials earlier in July.
During the ceremony, a Navy chaplain prayed that the Missouri would use her power to promote "friendships among nations" before Navy Secretary Ray Mabus announced to the assembled crowd, "I hereby place U.S.S. Missouri in commission."
Missouri's crew hoisted the submarine's colors. Becky Gates, wife of U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the submarine's ceremonial sponsor and patron, gave the official order: "Officers and crew of the U.S.S. Missouri, man our ship and bring her to life."
The crew streamed onto Missouri as a Navy band played "Anchors Aweigh." The submarine responded with a long blast of her horn, and her officers set the first watch.
Submarine Missouri Construction Began in 2004
Construction on Missouri, SSN-780, built by naval contractor General Dynamics Electric Boat, began in December 2004, and officials authenticated her keel during a September 2008 ceremony. Mrs. Gates broke the traditional bottle of champagne across her sail as the submarine was christened the U.S.S. Missouri during a late morning ceremony at Electric Boat on Dec. 5, 2009.
Crew members moved aboard the submarine on April 16, 2010 to begin general day-to-day operations and prepare for sea trials, work-ups and commissioning. Navy Cmdr. Timothy Rexrode serves as commanding officer of Missouri, leading a crew of about 134 officers and enlisted personnel.
Electric Boat President John Casey noted during the commissioning ceremony that Missouri's construction had wrapped up nine months ahead of schedule and 8 percent under target costs.
U.S.S. Missouri Built for Anti-Submarine Warfare, Special Operations
Missouri was built for a total of about $1.8 billion to engage in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare missions, according to the U.S. Navy's information on the submarine.
The ship directly supports five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities, including sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence.
Missouri measures 377 feet long with a 34-foot beam. She can dive to depths greater than 800 feet and can operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots, or 28 miles per hour, underwater. The submarine features a nuclear reactor plant that is designed to not require refueling during the planned life of the ship. According to the U.S. Navy, this feature reduces costs and increases time underway.
Missouri Takes Name of Historic World War II Battleship
The U.S.S. Missouri is the fifth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name "Missouri" in honor of the Show Me State. The last U.S.S. Missouri, a battleship, hosted Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz, Gen. Douglas MacArthur and other U.S. and Allied officers as they accepted Japan's unconditional surrender on the final day of World War II, Sept. 2, 1945.
The Missouri, which displaces 7,800 tons, was built under a teaming arrangement that allows both General Dynamics Electric Boat and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News to share in building Virginia-class submarines.
Under the arrangement, designed to keep both defense contractors in the business of building U.S. Navy submarines, Electric Boat manufactured the engine room and control room, while Northrop Grumman built much of the hull, living quarters and torpedo room. The two companies alternate responsibility for the reactor plant, final assembly, testing, outfitting and delivery of the submarines.
The sixth Virginia-class U.S. Navy submarine, the U.S.S. New Mexico, was commissioned in March 2010, and the eighth in the class, the U.S.S. California, is scheduled to be delivered in 2013.
Jane Anderson - Jane M. Anderson spends as much time as possible on the water, working and sailing on boats. She grew up sailing Sunfish and Rhodes 19s on ...
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