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The U.S. Navy with assistance from the First Lady Michelle Obama
commissioned and brought to life the newest Virginia class
submarine, USS Illinois (SSN 786), during a ceremony attended by
more than 2,500 at Naval Submarine Base, New London on Oct. 29,
2016.
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August 1, 2016 - The future Virginia-class attack submarine USS
Illinois (SSN 786) conducts sea trials. Illinois is a flexible,
multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core
competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare;
anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike
warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance; and mine warfare. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of
General Dynamics Electric Boat)
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Illinois, named in honor of the 21st state, is the 13th
Virginia-class, fast-attack submarine to join the Navy's
operational fleet.
The first lady, who is the ships
sponsor, expressed how proud she was of the crew and their
families.
"Thank
you for giving me the incredible privilege of being
associated with you and with your families and with the
Illinois for the rest of my life. I will continue to keep
you in my prayers every single day and keep you in my
thoughts, and know that you have a sponsor that cares
deeply."
Obama gave the order to "man our ship and
bring her to life" before the crew of about 130 men ran
across the brow, onto the vessel.
"There are many out
there who have been waiting a long time to address you-not
as a PCU, but as a United States Ship-the USS Illinois-a
warship," said key note speaker, Chief of Naval Operations,
Adm. John Richardson.
Illinois is the third of eight
Block III Virginia-class submarines to be built. The Block
III submarines are built with new Virginia Payload Tubes
designed to lower costs and increase missile-firing payload
possibilities. The first 10 Block I and Block II
Virginia-class submarines have 12 individual 21-inch
diameter vertical launch tubes able to fire Tomahawk Land
Attack Missiles (TLAMS). The Block III submarines are built
with two-larger 87-inch diameter tubes able to house six
TLAMS each.
USS Illinois Commanding Officer, Cmdr.
Jessie Porter, highlighted the Illinois' capability to
dominate the undersea domain and enable military success in
any engagement.
"Over the coming years, this
submarine -and others like her-will continue the impressive
legacy that our submarine forbearers have established in
making our country more secure," said Porter.
"The
Illinois has joined the fleet," said Porter. "The crew of
Illinois has assumed our watch-a watch that will continue
for the next 30 years-always waiting for the call, always
ready."
During the ceremony, Obama had the
opportunity to announce Illinois' Sailor of the Year, Petty
Officer First Class Ryan Mock.
The first USS Illinois
(BB 7) was a battleship commissioned in 1901 and was part of
President Theodore Roosevelt's Great White Fleet that
circumnavigated the world in 1907, introducing America as a
global power.
Illinois is a flexible, multi-mission
platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies
of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface
warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike
warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and
reconnaissance; and mine warfare.
The submarine is
377 feet long, has a 34-foot beam, and will be able to dive
to depths greater than 800 feet and operate at speeds in
excess of 25 knots submerged. It will operate for over 30
years without ever refueling.
Construction on
Illinois began March 2011; the submarine's keel was
authenticated during a ceremony on June 2, 2014; and the
submarine was christened during a ceremony Oct. 10, 2015.
By U.S. Navy News Desk
Navy News Service
Copyright 2016
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