U.S. Navy Virginia-class attack submarine USS New Mexico Joins the Fleet
UNITED STATES - 27 MARCH 2010
NORFOLK -- With the traditional first order "man our ship and bring her to life," Sailors assigned to USS New Mexico (SSN 779) boarded the Virginia-class attack submarine during a commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk March 27.
New Mexico is named in recognition of the people of the "Land of Enchantment." The battleship New Mexico (BB-40) (1918-1946), the only other ship named after the 47th state, earned six battle stars for World War II service, which included providing shore bombardment support for landings in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, Guam, Tinian, Saipan, the Philippines, and Okinawa.
Adm. Kirkland Donald, director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion, who delivered the ceremony's principal address, recognized the Northrop Grumman Corporation, distinguished guests, former battleship New Mexico veterans, ship's crew, family and friends stating, "'Defendemos Nuestra Tierra' - defend our land - is the ship's motto, which will start the harmonious tone to the operation of this ship.
"It's been a marvel to see the team come together and deliver this operation so well. At the end of the day, this mission-ready ship has been delivered in the shortest time of all other Virginia-class submarines."
New Mexico Sponsor, Cindy Giambastiani, wife of former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff retired Adm. Edmund Giambastiani, congratulated Cmdr. Mark Prokopius, officers and crew members. "Your courage and patriotism will reflect on the life of the ship."
Prokopius, New Mexico's commanding officer, will lead the crew of approximately 134 officers and enlisted personnel.
"I am proud and humbled to be part of the crew and their commanding officer. I am truly grateful for the dedication that the crew has given to this ship," said Prokopius.
Northrop Grumman Corporation delivered the sixth submarine of the Virginia class to the U.S. Navy in December, four months ahead of schedule. New Mexico's 70-month construction period represents the shortest overall construction time to date of any Virginia-class submarine.
USS New Mexico is built to excel in anti-submarine warfare; anti-ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; battle group support; and mine warfare missions. By doing so, New Mexico will directly enable five of the six Navy Maritime Strategy Core Capabilities - sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.
The 7,800-ton USS New Mexico was built under a unique teaming arrangement between Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat. She is 377-feet long, has a 34-foot beam, and will be able to dive to depths of greater than 800 feet and operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots submerged. New Mexico is designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship - reducing life-cycle costs while increasing underway time.
The keel for New Mexico was authenticated April 12, 2008, and the ship was christened on Dec. 13, 2008. USS New Mexico is the most modern and sophisticated attack submarine in the world, providing undersea supremacy well into the 21st century.
NORFOLK (March 25, 2010) The crew of the Virginia-class attack submarine Pre-Commissioning (PCU) New Mexico (SSN 779) stand in formation topside during a commissioning ceremony practice at Naval Station Norfolk. USS New Mexico will be commissioned March 27, 2010.
NORFOLK (Mar. 27, 2010) The Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine USS New Mexico (SSN 779) moored pierside during the ship's commissioning ceremony, held aboard Naval Station Norfolk Mar. 27. USS New Mexico is the sixth Virginia-class submarine to be commissioned and will be homeported in Groton, Ct.
NORFOLK (Mar. 27, 2010) With USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) in the background, Sailors man the Virginia-class attack submarine USS New Mexico (SSN 779) after bringing her to life during a commissioning ceremony. USS New Mexico joins five other submarines of her class.
NORFOLK (Mar. 27, 2010) Adm. Kirkland H. Donald, director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion, speaks to crew members and guests at the commissioning ceremony for the Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine USS New Mexico (SSN 779) at Naval Station Norfolk Mar. 27. USS New Mexico is the sixth Virginia-class submarine to be commissioned and will be homeported in Groton, Ct.
Sailors line the deck Saturday, March 27, 2010, during the commissioning ceremony of the USS New Mexico (SSN 779) at the Naval Station Norfolk.
UNITED STATES - 27 MARCH 2010
NORFOLK -- With the traditional first order "man our ship and bring her to life," Sailors assigned to USS New Mexico (SSN 779) boarded the Virginia-class attack submarine during a commissioning ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk March 27.
New Mexico is named in recognition of the people of the "Land of Enchantment." The battleship New Mexico (BB-40) (1918-1946), the only other ship named after the 47th state, earned six battle stars for World War II service, which included providing shore bombardment support for landings in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, Guam, Tinian, Saipan, the Philippines, and Okinawa.
Adm. Kirkland Donald, director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion, who delivered the ceremony's principal address, recognized the Northrop Grumman Corporation, distinguished guests, former battleship New Mexico veterans, ship's crew, family and friends stating, "'Defendemos Nuestra Tierra' - defend our land - is the ship's motto, which will start the harmonious tone to the operation of this ship.
"It's been a marvel to see the team come together and deliver this operation so well. At the end of the day, this mission-ready ship has been delivered in the shortest time of all other Virginia-class submarines."
New Mexico Sponsor, Cindy Giambastiani, wife of former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff retired Adm. Edmund Giambastiani, congratulated Cmdr. Mark Prokopius, officers and crew members. "Your courage and patriotism will reflect on the life of the ship."
Prokopius, New Mexico's commanding officer, will lead the crew of approximately 134 officers and enlisted personnel.
"I am proud and humbled to be part of the crew and their commanding officer. I am truly grateful for the dedication that the crew has given to this ship," said Prokopius.
Northrop Grumman Corporation delivered the sixth submarine of the Virginia class to the U.S. Navy in December, four months ahead of schedule. New Mexico's 70-month construction period represents the shortest overall construction time to date of any Virginia-class submarine.
USS New Mexico is built to excel in anti-submarine warfare; anti-ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; battle group support; and mine warfare missions. By doing so, New Mexico will directly enable five of the six Navy Maritime Strategy Core Capabilities - sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.
The 7,800-ton USS New Mexico was built under a unique teaming arrangement between Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat. She is 377-feet long, has a 34-foot beam, and will be able to dive to depths of greater than 800 feet and operate at speeds in excess of 25 knots submerged. New Mexico is designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship - reducing life-cycle costs while increasing underway time.
The keel for New Mexico was authenticated April 12, 2008, and the ship was christened on Dec. 13, 2008. USS New Mexico is the most modern and sophisticated attack submarine in the world, providing undersea supremacy well into the 21st century.
NORFOLK (March 25, 2010) The crew of the Virginia-class attack submarine Pre-Commissioning (PCU) New Mexico (SSN 779) stand in formation topside during a commissioning ceremony practice at Naval Station Norfolk. USS New Mexico will be commissioned March 27, 2010.
NORFOLK (Mar. 27, 2010) The Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine USS New Mexico (SSN 779) moored pierside during the ship's commissioning ceremony, held aboard Naval Station Norfolk Mar. 27. USS New Mexico is the sixth Virginia-class submarine to be commissioned and will be homeported in Groton, Ct.
NORFOLK (Mar. 27, 2010) With USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) in the background, Sailors man the Virginia-class attack submarine USS New Mexico (SSN 779) after bringing her to life during a commissioning ceremony. USS New Mexico joins five other submarines of her class.
NORFOLK (Mar. 27, 2010) Adm. Kirkland H. Donald, director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion, speaks to crew members and guests at the commissioning ceremony for the Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine USS New Mexico (SSN 779) at Naval Station Norfolk Mar. 27. USS New Mexico is the sixth Virginia-class submarine to be commissioned and will be homeported in Groton, Ct.
Sailors line the deck Saturday, March 27, 2010, during the commissioning ceremony of the USS New Mexico (SSN 779) at the Naval Station Norfolk.
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