USS Virginia Deploys
Although I can't find it on-line yet, I hear from a reader that USS Virginia has gotten underway on her initial deployment. Coming less than a year after her commissioning, this is a really remarkable feat. From the press release:
"The lead ship in the Navy's newest class of fast-attack submarines, USS Virginia (SSN 774) departed Naval Submarine Base, New London, and began its maiden deployment Monday, Sept 12, 2005.
"Virginia, commissioned Oct. 23, 2004, at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., is homeported at SUBASE and commanded by Cmdr. Todd Cramer."
Get back safely, guys...
posted by Bubblehead at 9:01 PM
6 Comments:
I admit I have not kept up to date with this, but I find this hard to believe, albeit remarkable.
She has not completed her Operational Evaluation, and after that there is a specific method for NAVSEA certification for deployment, which she won't have completed yet. Frankly, putting to sea for deployment prior to having the ship fully tested is worrysome - it speaks to either an overstretched force, or a fleet command that is so worried about making a good show of it that they are cutting testing corners...
9/16/2005 9:15 PM
And why wouldn't she, with a fabulous, serendipitous, precocious name like that?
9/16/2005 9:50 PM
Why, Ninme... do you know someone named Virginia?
9/16/2005 11:01 PM
No, I don't actually, but I've always thought it to be a very solid, reliable, trustworthy, intelligent, and attractive name.
9/17/2005 3:48 PM
They just replaced management of all US subs and the VA class program manager. Perhaps....
But now where is the USS Texas?
9/18/2005 11:45 PM
Since Newport News, where Texas is being built, hasn't finished a sub since USS Cheyenne in the 90's, I'd expect some delays there.
9/19/2005 7:17 AM
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