Official U.S. Navy Photo
COMSUBGRU 2 Visits Mississippi, Praises State for Support of Submarine and Crew
y Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (NNS) -- Commander, Submarine Group 2 visited the Mississippi Gulf Coast May 16-18 in preparation of the commissioning of Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Mississippi (SSN 782), the ninth Virginia-class submarine.
The future USS Mississippi will be commissioned in Pascagoula on June 2.
"This is going to be an incredible moment for the history of the state," said Rear Adm. Rick Breckenridge, who met with host-city officials, PCU Mississippi Commissioning Committee members and submarine veterans during his visit to the Magnolia State.
While meeting with submarine veterans from the United States Submarine Veterans Inc. (USSVI) Base, in Biloxi, Breckenridge thanked them for their contributions and support.
"The spirit and pride that you all have for the future USS Mississippi is eye-watering," said Breckenridge. "The hospitality, support and the response from the citizens of Mississippi for their ship has been phenomenal."
Breckenridge added that their namesake state will play a pivotal role in the history of the boat and forge a strong bond that will endure during its lifespan of 33 years.
"When the ship is brought to life and the crew is called to man their ship, that is when USS Mississippi will become part of the U.S. Navy," said Breckenridge, who added that the future USS Mississippi will be the fifth ship to bear the name of its namesake state.
Herbert Edmonds attended a submarine veterans meeting with the admiral and he praised the technological advancements of the Virginia-class program.
"The ship is all computerized, completely different from what I served aboard, but I'm so looking forward to see it," said Edmonds.
Edmonds is one of 50 members of the USSVI Tullibee Base of Mississippi, which was charted on Aug. 25, 2001. The oldest member of the USSVI Tullibee Base, retired Lt. Cmdr. Richard Halloran, 91, served 29 years in the Navy and volunteered for submarine service, ultimately serving aboard six submarines while on active duty.
Virginia-class submarines are built under a unique teaming arrangement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls Industries - Newport News. Construction on the submarine began in February 2007 and will be commissioned June 2, 2012.
Once commissioned, Mississippi, like all Virginia-class submarines is designed to dominate both the littorals and deep oceans. It will serve as a valuable asset in supporting the core capabilities of the Maritime Strategy: sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence.
