I was happy to see news of the commissioning of the USS Virginia, the Navy's newest, badest, slickest can of sea-going whup-ass afloat.  We've been waiting for a while for a ship to represent us and this looks like a good one.  Let's wish them much success and smooth sailing.

USS VIRGINIA INFORMATION

Field Trip anyone?
Would they give Civi Tours?

ETA:

www.news.navy.mil/view_gallery.asp?category_id=17&sort_row=8


041023-N-2383B-150 Naval Station Norfolk, Va. (Oct. 23, 2004) - The crew assigned to USS Virginia (SSN 774) bring her to life as they board the newly commissioned first nuclear-powered fast attack Virginia-class submarine and ninth U.S. naval vessel to be named for the "Old Dominion". Virginia is the Navy's only major combatant to join the fleet that was designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind and embodies the war fighting and operational capabilities required to dominate the littorals while maintaining undersea dominance in the open ocean. Virginia will be homeported in Groton, Conn. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny Bivera (RELEASED)


041018-N-2820Z-003 Naval Station Norfolk, Va. (Oct. 18, 2004) – The Navy's newest attack submarine, PCU Virginia (SSN 774), pulls into port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., in preparation for her commissioning on October 23, 2004. Virginia is the Navy’s only major combatant ready to join the fleet that was designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind and embodies the war fighting and operational capabilities required to dominate the littorals while maintaining undersea dominance in the open ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Seaman Andy Zask (RELEASED)


041018-N-2820Z-002 Naval Station Norfolk, Va. (Oct. 18, 2004) – The Navy's newest attack submarine, PCU Virginia (SSN 774), pulls into port at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., in preparation for her commissioning on October 23, 2004. Virginia is the Navy’s only major combatant ready to join the fleet that was designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind and embodies the war fighting and operational capabilities required to dominate the littorals while maintaining undersea dominance in the open ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Seaman Andy Zask (RELEASED)


041023-N-5268S-001 Naval Station Norfolk, Va. (Oct. 23, 2004) - The crew of USS Virginia (SSN 774) man the ship during her commissioning ceremony. Virginia is the Navy's only major combatant to join the fleet that was designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind and embodies the war fighting and operational capabilities required to dominate the littorals while maintaining undersea dominance in the open ocean. Virginia will be homeported in Groton, Conn. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 2nd Class Christina M. Shaw (RELEASED)


040825-N-2653P-040 Atlantic Ocean (Aug. 25, 2004) – Sonar Officer, Lt. j.g. Andrew Waldman, utilizes the infra-red function on the photonics display aboard the attack submarine PCU Virginia (SSN 774). Virginia is the Navy’s only major combatant ready to join the fleet that was designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind and embodies the war fighting and operational capabilities required to dominate the littorals while maintaining undersea dominance in the open ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class James Pinsky (RELEASED)


040825-N-2653P-001 Atlantic Ocean (Aug. 25, 2004) – Fire Control Technician 1st Class Patrick Nogalski monitors the attack submarine PCU Virginia’s (SSN 774) radar screens during a surface transit off the coast of Virginia after successfully completing Bravo Trials. Virginia is the Navy’s only major combatant ready to join the fleet that was designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind and embodies the war fighting and operational capabilities required to dominate the littorals while maintaining undersea dominance in the open ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class James Pinsky (RELEASED)


040822-N-2653P-370 Atlantic Ocean (Aug. 22, 2004) – PCU Virginia (SSN 774) has one of the most advanced torpedo delivery systems in the fleet. In addition to torpedoes, the Virginia-class will be armed with Tomahawk cruise missiles and has been designed to host the Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS) and Dry-Deck Shelter to support various missions. Virginia is the Navy’s only major combatant ready to join the fleet that was designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind and embodies the war fighting and operational capabilities required to dominate the littorals while maintaining undersea dominance in the open ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class James Pinsky (RELEASED)


040822-N-2653P-209 Atlantic Ocean (Aug. 22, 2004) – Chief Electronics Technician Jerry Allan Bolte, co-pilot, and Senior Chief Machinist’s Mate Scott McIntire, pilot, operate the ship's control panel aboard the attack submarine PCU Virginia. Unlike submarines before it, Virginia eliminates the traditional helmsman, planesman, chief of the watch and diving officer of the watch stations by combining all of them into two watch stations manned by E-6 and above personnel. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 1st Class James Pinsky (RELEASED)