PCU California (SSN 780) Manning Up
A new submarine blogger, Whizzer, reports that he just got orders to SSN 780, the new Virginia-class submarine being built in Connecticut and scheduled for delivery in 2011. He also reports that his new command will be named USS California.
There's been quite a bit of speculation on which direction the Navy would go in naming this sub (and it should be noted that the Navy still hasn't made the official announcement), but the California congressional delegation has been putting a lot of pressure on the Navy to name the submarine for the Golden State. Expect an official naming announcement soon.
posted by Bubblehead at 7:35 AM
14 Comments:
Wow. A four year New Construction Tour?
11/30/2007 7:56 AM
Yep, mostly just for the nukes. With modular construction, they do most of the pre-critical Engine Room testing before the front part of the boat even gets hooked up.
11/30/2007 8:25 AM
That'll play heck with detailing rotation and SS Quals.
I'm curious tho. With the well advertised political position of a certain population center in north central California, would even a ship named after the state receive a warm welcome? And did the people outside that certain population center band together to poke them in the eye? Just asking. The tincan I rode visited there in '74 and received a very warm welcome.
11/30/2007 9:32 PM
I had three New Construction tours - SSN-650, SSN-674, and AS-40.
I'd not willingly get a four-year New Construction tour!
12/01/2007 8:08 AM
When there are over fifty submarines, it remains inexcusable that not every state gets one. New Virginia class ships should first be assigned names of states that are not currently represented, such as New Jersey.
12/03/2007 4:34 AM
With a 4 year nucon tour, how does a baby nuke get qualified?
12/03/2007 3:24 PM
They do rides....we carried a bunch out on the USS Wyoming, and I am sure other boats have carried the nubs out. It's a win-win situation...the host boat gets a bunch of extra watchstanders, and the new construction boat gets back guys with fish and experience.
12/04/2007 8:13 AM
I just got orders to the boat (PCU 780). I must say i'm a little worried about how i'm gonna get my quals done. Other than that, i'm pretty excited about it.
-baby nuke ET
12/14/2007 2:12 PM
I am so sick of assembling the "garbage" that Newport News and Quonset point send to us in Groton, but the Navy couldn't possibly care less! It's SICKENING! They can't even put a bolt in a hole, without ruining the threads, giving it the thumbs up, and sending it to us to fix. I personally take pride in the manufacture of these vessels. Sailors lives are at stake. My father knew many men that were lost on both the Thresher and the Scorpion. I wouldn't wish that fate on my worst enemy, let alone our own servicemen.
12/29/2007 11:50 PM
I have to repond to anonymous. I work for Newport News (now known as Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding) and we find issues with the modules we receive from Electric boat as well. As part of the same team, there's really no point in beating each other up. We need top work together to improve the quality of our product. I did several tours on 688's myself as a nuc and I care a great deal about the boys that will be manning these ships.
By the way, we will be assembling the California at Northrop Grumman in Virginia. We are already testing systems. It is Hull number 781, but our shipyard hull designation which is just a numerical count of all ships we build (including carriers) is 666. How's that for coincidence?
3/02/2008 5:27 PM
I just talked to my detailer and he gave me the option to take the PCU. I am a nuc ET that has been in for 4.5 years. I have re-enlisted once. I should make E6 this September and will be EWS qualified by the time I leave (at my 3 year point). I am stationed out of Guam, so I can leave in December(my 3 year point onboard) and go back to prototype, or I can try for a different boat. Any ideas on what I should do. I am not sure If I am going to stay in or not, so I dont know if I should just take the shore duty and get out. Also, I really dont want to go to Norfolk for that long of time.
-Thanks
ET2
3/12/2008 2:52 AM
SSN 780, IS GOING TO BE CALLED THE USS MISSOURI, DUE TO COMMISSION LATE 2010.
4/08/2008 4:22 PM
Just got back from the Christening of the USS Missouri-SSN780 today. Cold and rainy in Groton, but worth it!!
God love the USA!
12/05/2009 11:49 AM
Just got back from the commissioning of the USS Missouri in Groton. Absolutely PICTURE PERFECT day, and you could tell the crew is so psyched. Great job all around!
7/31/2010 9:26 PM
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