USS North Carolina Departs Groton for New Homeport at Pearl Harbor

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- Virginia-class attack submarine USS North Carolina (SSN 777) departed Submarine Base New London July 22, ultimately heading for her new homeport at Naval Station Pearl Harbor.

North Carolina, commanded by Cmdr. Wallace Schlauder, will be the third Virginia-class submarine homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, joining USS Hawaii (SSN 776) and USS Texas (SSN 775).

The submarine's keel was laid on May 22, 2004 and the submarine's official commissioning ceremony was held May 3, 2008.

Measuring 377 feet long, weighing 7,800 tons when submerged and with a complement of more than 130 crew members, it is the fifth ship to be named in honor of the Tar Heel State. North Carolina's crew is excited to represent its namesake state both at home and abroad. She is one of the Navy's newest and most technologically sophisticated submarines.

This state-of-the-art submarine is capable of supporting a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, naval special warfare involving special operations forces, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, irregular warfare, and mine warfare.

Recognizing the importance of the Asia-Pacific region and the increased threat posed by the proliferation of submarines in the Pacific, the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review mandated that 60 percent of the U.S. Navy's submarines be home ported in the Pacific by the end of 2010.

USS North Carolina to Homeport in Pearl Harbor

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridg, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet announced Jan. 6 that USS North Carolina (SSN 777) will be the third Virginia-class submarine homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor.

Rear Adm. Douglas McAneny announced that North Carolina will join fellow Virginia-class submarines USS Hawaii (SSN 776) and USS Texas (SSN 775) at Submarine Squadron 1 in summer 2010.

North Carolina's keel was laid May 22, 2004, and the submarine's official commissioning ceremony was held May 3, 2008.

Measuring 377 feet long, weighing 7,800 tons when submerged and with a complement of more than 130 crew members, she is the fifth ship to be named in honor of the Tar Heel State. North Carolina's crew is excited to represent the namesake state both at home and abroad.

The state-of-the-art submarine is capable of supporting a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, strike, naval special warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare.

Recognizing the importance of the Pacific region and the increased threat posed by the proliferation of submarines in the western Pacific, the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review mandated that 60 percent of the U.S. Navy's submarines be homeported in the Pacific by the end of 2010.

USS North Carolina Arrives at New Home

By Lt. James Stockman, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs



GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- Southeastern Connecticut welcomed USS North Carolina (SSN 777), the Navy's newest nuclear-powered submarine, as it arrived at its new homeport May 16.

North Carolina, the fourth of the Virginia-class fast-attack submarines, joined its sister ships USS Virginia (SSN 774), USS Texas (SSN 775), USS Hawaii (SSN 776) and 12 other fast-attack submarines homeported at Naval Submarine Base New London.

"North Carolina's arrival at Submarine Squadron Four comes at an important time for the submarine force. One of the most significant events within the submarine force for 2008 is the Operational Evaluation program milestone for the Virginia-class," said Capt. Rick Breckenridge, Submarine Squadron 4 commodore.

"This year-long event tests every mission area of this new class and evaluates whether the designers and builders delivered the warfighting requirements required by the Navy. While USS Virginia has been conducting the bulk of this mission evaluation, USS North Carolina will quickly join this demanding real-world mission tasking."

Family members, General Dynamics Electric Boat representatives and Submarine Group 2 and Submarine Squadron 4 personnel welcomed North Carolina to its new homeport.

For one spectator, however, the boat's arrival had a deeper significance. Doug Bennett, a North Carolina native and 24-year submarine veteran, waved a small American flag as North Carolina transited up the Thames River.

"I spent many a day running on the decks of the battleship (North Carolina) while growing up in North Carolina," said Bennett. "I never thought that I would see the day when a submarine would be named North Carolina."

North Carolina was built by General Dynamics Electric Boat Division in Groton, Conn., and Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va., and was commissioned in Wilmington, N.C. on May 3.

As the Navy's next-generation attack submarine, the Virginia-class will provide the U.S. Navy with the capabilities it requires to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. North Carolina will have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and Special Warfare enhancements that will enable it to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.

USS North Carolina Departs Namesake State

By Lt. James Stockman, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs



WILMINGTON, N.C. (NNS) -- The Navy's newest nuclear-powered submarine, USS North Carolina (SSN 777), bid farewell to her namesake state May 5, during a departure ceremony at the Port of Wilmington.

Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo, city officials and commissioning committee members waved good-bye to North Carolina and her crew as the boat slipped away from the pier and transited down the Cape Fear River toward open ocean.

"I told the captain and the crew that I was going to be a little depressed with them leaving, but it's been exciting for the city of Wilmington and we've made long lasting friends," said Saffo.

The crew of North Carolina enjoyed a week of celebrations and festivities culminating in her commissioning ceremony May 3, when she became the fourth submarine of the Virginia-class and the first submarine named after the "Tar Heel" state.

"They (North Carolina crew) were touched by the warmth and hospitality of Wilmington, but as much fun as this past week has been, we're submariners and look forward to getting back to sea," said Capt. Mark Davis, USS North Carolina commanding officer.

North Carolina will initially return to Norfolk, Va. before joining her sister ships USS Virginia (SSN 774), USS Texas (SSN 775) and USS Hawaii (SSN 776) at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn.

With stealth, persistence, agility and firepower, fast-attack submarines like North Carolina are multi-mission capable--able to deploy and support special force operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary's military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity and ensure undersea superiority.

USS North Carolina Joins the Fleet

By Lt. Jennifer Zeldis, Fleet Public Affairs Center Atlantic
Submarine veterans, retired Battleship North Carolina Alumni and some 6,000 attendees witness the commissioning of the newest Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine USS North Carolina (SSN 777). North Carolina is the fourth Virginia-class submarine to be commissioned and the first major U.S. Navy combatant vessel class designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind. North Carolina will be homeported in Groton, Conn., as a member of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2ND Class Roadell Hickman.

WILMINGTON, N.C. (NNS) -- The Navy's newest nuclear-powered submarine, USS North Carolina (SSN 777), was brought to life May 3 during a commissioning ceremony held in its namesake state at the Port of Wilmington.

More than 6,500 guests, including submarine veterans and battleship North Carolina alumni, attended the ceremony welcoming the submarine as the fourth naval vessel named after the "Tarheel State."

The ship's sponsor, Mrs. Linda Anne Rich Bowman, wife of Admiral Frank L. "Skip" Bowman, retired U.S. Navy Admiral and former Director, Naval Nuclear Reactors, gave the order, "Officers and crew of the USS North Carolina, man your ship, and bring her to life!"

"You're a team and ready to go forth and defend this country," said Bowman. "My hope is that she (USS North Carolina) will sail in peace to keep us free. My assurance is that she will always be ready to defend that freedom whenever necessary."

The ceremony included speeches made by local and congressional politicians as well as flag officers of the submarine force. The Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter was the principal speaker at the ceremony.

"As the fourth ship to carry the name North Carolina, this boat will bear an illustrious name, and follow in North Carolina's long and honored tradition as the home of military heroes," said Winter. "She now joins the world's greatest Navy, and will be tasked with a wide range of missions in support of battle groups, in reconnaissance and surveillance missions, in special operations, and as part of the submarine force that continues to deter aggression from every potential foe."

North Carolina arrived in Wilmington on Apr. 28 and participated in more than 50 community events to celebrate the state's first namesake vessel since 1947, when battleship North Carolina was decommissioned.

"The local community embraced us with open arms and we will not only continue to foster our namesake relationship with the residents of Wilmington, but also the great state on North Carolina," said Capt. Mark Davis, USS North Carolina commanding officer.

The Navy's newest class of submarine, the Virginia-Class, is the first designed and built post Cold War in order to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The USS North Carolina is the fourth submarine of the Virginia-Class and has improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that will enable it to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.

Navy Announces Commissioning of Submarine North Carolina

The Navy’s newest attack submarine North Carolina will be commissioned Saturday, May 3, during a 10 a.m. EDT ceremony at Port of Wilmington in Wilmington, N.C.

Designated SSN 777, the fourth submarine of the Virginia-class will bear the name North Carolina to honor the Tar Heel State. The submarine will be the fourth ship of the U.S. Navy to bear the name North Carolina. The first was a 74-gun ship-of-the-line that served from 1820 to 1836. The second North Carolina was a Tennessee-class armored cruiser that was built at the Newport News shipyard and served from 1908 to 1921. The third North Carolina was the first of the Navy's modern battleships, serving from 1940 to 1947, earning 12 battle stars for service during World War II. The battleship now serves in Wilmington, N.C., as a memorial for all North Carolinians who served in World War II.

Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Linda Bowman, wife of retired Adm. Frank "Skip" Bowman, former director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion, will serve as sponsor of North Carolina. The ceremony will be highlighted by a time-honored Navy tradition when Bowman gives the first order to “man our ship and bring her to life!”

The Virginia-class is designed and built to fulfill all current warfighting requirements and provides the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. Equally adept at operating in the world’s shallow littoral regions and deep waters, North Carolina and her sister ships will significantly contribute to the mission areas of anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; special operations forces; strike; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; battle group support; and mine warfare.

Capt. Mark E. Davis, a native of upstate New York, will become the ship’s first commanding officer and will lead a crew of approximately 134 officers and enlisted personnel. North Carolina will be homeported in Groton, Conn., as a member of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet.

The 7,800-ton North Carolina was built under a teaming arrangement between Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat. North Carolina is 337 feet in length, has a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at depths greater than 800 feet and at speeds exceeding 25 knots submerged. North Carolina is also designed with a reactor plant which will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship-reducing lifecycle costs while increasing operational availability.

Navy Takes Delivery of Submarine North Carolina

The Navy took delivery of its newest attack submarine, Pre-commissioning unit North Carolina (SSN 777), from Northrop Grumman Newport News (NGNN) Feb. 21. North Carolina is the fourth Virginia-class submarine and the second delivered by NGNN.

According to Virginia-class program manager, Capt. Dave Johnson, the delivery of North Carolina was a 10-month improvement compared to NGNN's first Virginia-class submarine, USS Texas (SSN 775).

"The Navy's shipbuilding partners have brought the learning curve down and performance continues to improve," he said.

The Virginia-class is the Navy's first major combatant designed and delivered specifically for the post-Cold War security environment. The class provides the ability to dominate across a wide range of missions including strike; special operations; anti-submarine and anti-surface ship warfare; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; battle group support; and Mmne warfare in both shallow and deep-water environments.

"North Carolina's delivery marks a major milestone for the program," said Program Executive Officer for Submarines Rear Adm. William Hilarides. "It completed the last ship of the Block I contract and with Electric Boat's and Newport News' continued improvement and innovation we will reach our goal of 2 for 4 in 12 [buying two Virginia Class submarines for $4 billion as measured in Fiscal Year 2005 dollars, in fiscal year 2012]."

North Carolina will be commissioned May 3, 2008, in Wilmington, N.C. Mrs. Linda Bowman, wife of retired Adm. Frank Bowman, the former Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion, is the ship's sponsor.