The USS Oregon, the U.S. Navy’s newest Virginia Class nuclear attack submarine, was commissioned on Saturday.
“Oregonians are deeply honored that the 20th Virginia-class submarine will bear the name of our state,” said Gov. Kate Brown, the ceremony’s keynote speaker.
Under overcast skies at Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut, the fast-attack submarine officially became part of the fleet.
At 377 feet long with a 34-foot beam, the USS Oregon can dive more than 800 feet and reach speeds in excess of 25 knots.
Almost 140 Navy personnel will crew the boat.
“The passion, grit and enthusiasm of Oregon’s crew has carried the ship to sea and were vital to the completion of construction and testing,” said Cmdr. Lacy Lodmell, commanding officer of USS Oregon.
“I have been deeply honored to see you grow into a team that is ready to undertake any mission we are assigned. This is without a doubt the finest crew I have ever had the pleasure to serve with,” added Cmdr. Lodmell.
“Oregon and the other Virginia-class submarines will not only sustain, but exploit our edge in undersea warfare,” said Adm. Frank Caldwell, director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.
Adm. Caldwell went to say, “Soon Oregon will employ her stealth, her flexibility, her superior firepower and her endurance to travel silently throughout the world’s oceans undetected, collecting intelligence, preparing for battle and – if necessary – striking from the deep swiftly without warning to answer the nation’s call.”
“Virginia Class Submarines are built to operate in the world’s littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations forces support; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions,” the Navy said when it took delivery of the sub in February.
“Their inherent stealth, endurance, mobility and firepower directly enable them to support five of the six maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence,” the Navy said.
The Oregon, SSN 793, is the third U.S. Navy vessel to bear the name Oregon. The first was a brigantine ship purchased in 1841 and used for exploration until 1845, according to the Navy.
The second was was commissioned in 1896 and decommissioned a decade later. It was recommissioned again in 1911 and was a reserve vessel until it was taken out of service in 1942.
Back in 2019, Central Oregon Daily News went to Groton to capture the christening of the vessel. Here are some of the stories we found.
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