While the traditional public commissioning ceremony was cancelled due to the protection of public health and limitations of wide public gatherings, the Navy administratively commissioned USS Delaware and transferred the ship to regular operations. Also, with the ship's sponsor, crew and commissioning committee, the Navy is looking for a potential opportunity to celebrate the special event.
“This Virginia-class fast-attack submarine will continue the proud naval legacy of the state of Delaware and the ships that have borne her name,” said Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly. “I am confident that the crew of this cutting edge platform will carry on this tradition, confronting the many challenges of today’s complex world with the professionalism and agility the American people depend on from the warriors of the silent service.”
The commanding officer of Delaware, Cmdr. Matthew Horton, said today that marks the culmination of six years of hard work by the men and women who built the submarine and are training her to become a warship. He said he is especially grateful to the crew and their families, Dr. Biden, the Delaware Commissioning Committee of the USS and the Hampton Roads Navy League for all their hard work and support.
It is the first time that the word "Delaware" has been used by a United States in almost 100 years. Navy boats. It's the 7th U.S. Navy ship, and first submarine, to bear the Delaware state name.
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