SECNAV Names Three New Virginia Class Attack Submarines

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Donald C. Winter announced Jan. 30 the names of three Virginia class submarines -- the Missouri, California and Mississippi.

The selection of Missouri honors the continuous support of the military by the people of the "Show Me State," and its leaders. Designated SSN 780, Missouri is the fifth ship of the United States Navy to be named in honor of the U.S. state.

The last Missouri (BB 63), a U.S. Navy battleship, saw action in World War II, Korean War and the 1991 Gulf War. Missouri was also the site where Fleet Adm. Chester Nimitz and Gen. Douglas MacArthur, and many other U.S. and Allied officers, accepted the unconditional surrender of the Japanese at the end of World War II on Sept. 2, 1945.

The selection of California, designated SSN 781, honors the thousands of men and women from California who serve in today's armed forces, and the millions of Californian veterans and their families. As home to major Naval and Marine Corps installations, the selection of California also reflects the tremendous support provided to the Navy and Marine Corps by countless communities across the Golden State. This will be the seventh ship to bear the name California.

The selection of Mississippi, designated SSN 782, is dedicated to the state's long standing tradition of shipbuilding in support of our nation's defense. It also honors the indomitable spirit of the people of Mississippi who have made great strides in recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. This fighting spirit will be an inspiration to all sailors who embark aboard Mississippi.

There have been four previous ships named Mississippi. The first Mississippi, a side wheeler, served as Commodore Matthew Perry's flagship for his historic voyage to Japan and fought with Admiral Farragut's forces on the Mississippi River during the Civil War.

These next-generation attack submarines will provide the Navy with the capabilities it requires to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. They will have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that will enable it to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.

Missouri, California and Mississippi will be able to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces.

Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; Special Forces delivery and support; mine delivery and minefield mapping. With enhanced communications connectivity, the submarines also will provide important battle group and joint task force support, with full integration into carrier battle group operations.

The Virginia class is 7,800-tons and 377 feet in length, has a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. It is designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship – reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time.

These new, nuclear powered submarines are being built by General Dynamics Electric Boat (Connecticut) and Northrop Grumman Newport News (Virginia).

For more information on Virginia class submarines, visit http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4100&tid=100&ct=4 .

USS MISSISSIPPI, third ship of the four ship VIRGINIA Class nuclear-powered, guided missile cruisers, was commissioned on 5 August 1978 at Norfolk Naval Base, Norfolk, Virginia. Former President Jimmy Carter presided over the ceremonies.

Over the next three years, MISSISSIPPI performed tests and trials, which every new ship goes through. During this time, the ship also went through its first extended training period at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

In August of 1981, MISSISSIPPI made her first deployment. MISSISSIPPI was escorting USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) when F-14 fighters from that carrier shot down two Libyan fighter jets. MISSISSIPPI was also called upon during that deployment to patrol off the shore of Egypt after President Anwar Sadat was assassinated.

In 1982, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, awarded MISSISSIPPI the prestigious Battenberg Cup Award for being the best all-round ship in the Atlantic Fleet. The same year, MISSISSIPPI earned the "Battle Efficiency" Award.

In 1983, MISSISSIPPI received COMSIXTHFLT Battle Force "Top Hand" Award, a Meritorious Unit Commendation, her fourth consecutive excellent in the annual Operation Reactors Safeguards Examination, the Top Hammer Award for top performance in Atlantic Fleet exercise operations, the Old Crow Award for excellence and contributions in electronic warfare, and her second consecutive "Battle Efficiency" Award.

In November, the USS MISSISSIPPI departed Norfolk for her second Med Cruise. Thanksgiving that year was celebrated while underway to the Med. Once on station, the ship supported Libyan Freedom of Navigation operations several times, spent Christmas of 1983 on patrol off Beirut in support of the USMC element deployed to the Beirut Airport. The MISSISSIPPI was on the Gun Line off Beirut when the US Embassy to Lebanon was attacked with a terrorist's car bomb. The cruiser subsequently provided NGFS target identification and location support to the Marines stationed at the Beirut Airport, and became the only CGN ever to win the "Hook-Em" award for ASW excellence for tacking a Juliette Class soviet Submarine literally halfway across the Med. The crew of MISSISSIPPI maintained contact on the submarine for over 48 hours straight. The cruiser returned to Norfolk in late May of 1984.

In 1985, MISSISSIPPI earned her third consecutive "Battle Efficiency" Award. This same year, she also received a second Meritorious Unit Commendation for Operation SNAP LOCK.

In 1986, MISSISSIPPI was awarded the Golden Anchor Award for Navy Personnel Retention.

In 1987, MISSISSIPPI received the Silver Star as the runner-up for the Golden Anchor Award.

In September 1987, MISSISSIPPI completed her first overhaul, which included the latest improvements in her Combat Systems Suite, which greatly improved the ship's ability to fight and win "war-at-sea."

The ship is currently berthed at the Naval Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility (NISMF), Bremerton, WA, awaiting final disposal by recycling.

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