Welcome to Navy Live blog coverage of the February 2 commissioning of the Navy’s newest fast attack submarine, the future USS South Dakota (SSN 790).

Live video from Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, is scheduled to begin 11 a.m.

USS South Dakota, a Virginia-class submarine designated SSN-790, is the third ship to bear the state’s name.

“USS South Dakota enters service during a period of dynamic security challenges. I am confident USS South Dakota and its crew will ensure our Navy and nation remain safe and strong, and proudly serve our nation’s interest for decades to come.”
– Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer

The principal speaker will be U.S. Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota. The submarine’s sponsor is Deanie Dempsey, wife of the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey. She will give the order to “man our ship and bring her to life!” in a time-honored Navy tradition.

USS South Dakota is the 17th Virginia-class attack submarine and the seventh Virginia-class Block III submarine. Virginia-class submarines are built to operate in the world’s littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface ship warfare; strike warfare; special operation forces support; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare missions. Their inherent stealth, endurance, mobility, and firepower directly enable them to support five of the six maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence.

Follow the conversation on Twitter using #USSSouthDakota.

http://navylive.dodlive.mil/2019/02/01/uss-south-dakota-ssn-790-commissioning-ceremony/ U.S. Navy