Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, the U.S. Navy will commission USS John Warner at U.S. Naval Station Norfolk. When Warner joins the fleet, the boat will be the most modern, sophisticated, and technologically advanced submarine in the world. While other Virginia-class submarines have been named after U.S. states, SSN 785 holds the distinction of being the first to be named after a living person – Sen. John Warner – who has served his country throughout his entire adult life as a Navy petty officer, Marine Corps officer, Under Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of the Navy, and a five-term U.S. Senator.
USS John Warner is the 12th Virginia-class fast attack submarine and the sixth to be delivered to the U.S. Navy by Newport News Shipbuilding. Designed to meet the Navy’s requirements in a post-Cold War era, the Virginia-class submarines employ advanced technologies to enhance firepower, sensors, and stealth. The 377-foot-long submarines are capable of submerged speeds of more than 25 knots and can stay submerged for up to three months at a time.
As long-time DefenseMediaNetwork.com followers know, we also work closely with partners to create special event publications, including commissioning publications. We have the great honor of working with the Hampton Roads Navy League to create the USS John Warner SSN 785 commissioning publication, which provides a keepsake record for for the more than 10,000 people who are expected to attend the commissioning ceremony.
If you are interested in purchasing your own personal copy, please visit: http://dmnshop.com/
For all of those who are not be able to make it to the ceremony, the Navy is providing a link to a live feed that will activate 30 minutes before the ceremony: http://www.navy.mil/navymil-live-ssn785.html