COMMISSIONING OF USS IOWA (SSN 797)

USS IOWA (SSN 797) was commissioned on April 5, 2025, at Naval Submarine Base New London, Groton, Connecticut. The commissioning of the fast-attack submarine was long awaited as its initial work had been delayed due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Attendees from the state of Iowa were quite numerous and enthusiastic despite being greeted with unusually cold New England wind, clouds and light drizzle. The boat was supported by her Sponsor, former Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack and the current Governor of Iowa Kim Reynolds who was the keynote speaker. The importance of the event was highlighted by the presence of the newly appointed 79th Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan officiating at his first Navy ceremony. IOWA is the fourth warship to bear the state’s name, the last being the storied USS IOWA BB-61 (all the previous three were battleships) which was commissioned three different times and served in both Atlantic and Pacific theaters in World War Two, the Korean War and the Cold War until 1990. It had as many nicknames as it had assignments, the most popular being the Korean War moniker: “The Ghost” which has been adopted by the crew in their cry “Fight IOWA! Fear the Ghost!”. Veterans of BB-61 proudly welcomed the New “Ghost” to the fleet and were led by BB-61 veteran Commander Tim Shugart USN retired, who served as the long glass presenter.

The State of Iowa has enthusiastically supported the ship and its crew from its naming to this commissioning, led by Sponsor Christie Vilsack. In the nearly two years since its Christening, she has hosted crew at the Iowa state fair and, supported by a number of “host families”, the crew had many occasions to experience “Iowa nice” while visiting the Hawkeye state. Despite being a land-locked state, Iowa has a long of US Navy support. The five Sullivan brothers, for whom USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) is named, were natives of Waterloo, Iowa. The connection is memorialized with a shamrock within a gold wreath on the ship’s crest and also represented by a large contingent of Gold Star families who attended the Commissioning.

Connecticut Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT) and Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) both spoke as evidence of the bi-partisan support for the nation’s submarine program at the “submarine capital of the world”. Rep Courtney introduced members of the Australian and United Kingdom navies in attendance highlighting the importance of our alliance with those countries and their navies. Admiral Darryl Caudle, Commander Fleet Forces Command, spoke of the urgent need for the capacity of the USS IOWA to project its power across the globe as soon as possible.

IOWA is the twenty-fourth Virginia-Class nuclear submarine and the sixth Flight IV to join the fleet. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, informed the audience that IOWA was the first attack submarine designed to accept females as crew. Evidence of this was prominently in full view as female officers and crew ran alongside their male shipmates to “man their ship” at the culmination of the ceremony. Secretary Phelan, in his speech, addressed the need to modernize and readdress the Navy’s ship procurement systems to accelerate delivery of the most lethal fighting force to meet today’s global challenges. Following remarks by Commander Gregory Coy, Secretary Phelan placed the ship in commission and the first watch was set.

Governor Kim Reynolds, the first female Iowa governor, proudly represented the namesake invoking the rich history of her state, the Sullivan brothers’ history and the powerful legacy of BB-61. The commitment of Iowans to the ship was evidenced by the organization of over 26 watch parties throughout Iowa to celebrate the commissioning! Ship Sponsor Christie Vilsack then gave the order to “man our boat and bring her to life!!” Unlike other submarine commissioning twenty-five females jogged alongside male crew members.

Following the flourishes, horns and sirens, attendees were treated to a tour of the impressive submarine and a dockside lunch celebration. Lunch was an Iowa State Fair theme and guests enjoyed themselves with the generous offerings including the author of this report’s first ever corn dog!

IOWA will be homeported at the Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton Connecticut which has been supporting submarines since 1868. Fight Iowa! Fear the Ghost!!

Contributed by Ann Zumwalt

Author: Martha Hill

website admin & member