Bidens take part in USS Delaware commission
On April 2, President Joe Biden; First Lady Jill Biden, ship sponsor; U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.); and state and Navy leadership celebrated the commissioning of the USS Delaware, a Virginia-class fast-attack nuclear submarine, in a commemorative ceremony at the Port of Wilmington.
“The men who serve – and will serve – aboard the U.S.S. Delaware will bear our state’s name for decades to come as they defend our nation. Through their sacrifice and service, may we grow even closer to that more perfect union,” Carper said.
“This latest ship to carry [the name of] the USS Delaware is part of a long tradition of serving our nation proudly and strengthening our nation’s security - the security of the United States of America, and not just us, but our allies and partners around the world as well,” President Biden said.
“This vessel will always uphold the First State’s motto of liberty and independence. Today marks the beginning of an incredible journey of the ship’s long and faithful service to our country,” Jill Biden said.
“What a special day for Delaware and for our country,” said Gov. John Carney. “I’ve been so inspired by every sailor on this ship as we’ve watched their progress – training and learning everything about their new home on the USS Delaware. The people of Delaware are proud to embrace the USS Delaware and her crew. Thank you to Sen. Carper for your leadership, and thank you to the officers and crew for your service and sacrifice.”
The USS Delaware is the first Navy ship to be named for the First State since 1923 and the seventh vessel to bear its name overall.
The 337-foot long submarine was built by Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat. Nearly 4,000 shipbuilders supported the construction.
It was launched from its home base at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Conn., on Dec. 14, 2018. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, a ceremony planned for April 4, 2020, was canceled, and the ship became the first one in Navy history to be commissioned underwater. According to Cmdr. Matthew Horton, the ship will have another year of testing and crew training before it can be deployed.
About the USS Delaware:
With nuclear power, the submarine will never have to refuel.
The crew includes 134 officers and personnel.
The submarine weighs 7,800 tons and is armed with tomahawk cruise missiles, MK-48 torpedoes, advanced mobile mines and an unmanned under-sea vehicle.
There have been seven other boats with the Delaware name including ships used in the Revolutionary War, Civil War and World War I.
The last ship to have the state’s name was USS Delaware BB-28, which was commissioned in 1910.
