The newest Virginia Class Attack Submarine was commissioned in Groton, Connecticut, one month after the commissioning of the USS MASSACHUSETTS (SSN 798), giving evidence to the sense of urgency the Navy feels in bolstering the Fleet and particularly the submarine force. With truly exemplary support from the Commissioning Committee, the entire state of Idaho and its dedicated Sponsor, Mrs.Terry Stackley, the crew brought to life “the Silent Spud” in record time and with complete confidence in their and the ship’s ability to carry out its mission. The submarine had no stronger supporter than former Idaho Governor and Secretary of the Interior, Governor Dirk Kempthorne, who advocated for the naming of a submarine after the “Gem State.” Senator Risch, who had served as Lt Governor with Governor Kempthorne, asked to have the engine room named for Governor Kempthorne. Despite this having “never been done before”, it was announced at the Friday evening Commissioning Gala that the engine room would be named as such with a plaque placed which reads “The Honorable Dirk A. Kempthorne, A Driving Force for the Great State of Idaho, Whose Legacy Endures, Above and Below the Waves.” Governor Kempthorne passed away from terminal cancer within hours of this event, the evening prior to the Commissioning of IDAHO.
There could be no mistaking the home hotel of the Commissioning Committee as Friday evening pulling up to it, one could not miss the tractor trailer with its flatbed carrying the enormous Big Idaho Potato. The truck provided a sense of Idaho State Fair vibe to the event in support of the hundreds of Idahoans who made the trek to Groton, Connecticut. The potato capital of the world met the submarine capital of the world! The attendees were reminded many times throughout the festivities that this juxtaposition was not as random as one would think. Idaho has a long connection to nuclear power and acoustic research vital to the submarine force. Unlike Groton, one could not smell the ocean from Boise, but the Gem State had an important part to play in the development of the atomic powered submarines, including the first reactor designed for use by our Navy.
Under Governor Kempthorne’s leadership the Commissioning Committee staged a magnificent Commissiong weekend. A Gala, on Friday Eve of the formal ceremonies, saw rows of buses drop guests off at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum. Guests enjoyed a sumptuous buffet dinner as they were introduced to the Command triad of the submarine, its Sponsor, and key leaders of the Commissioning Committee. Commanding Officer, Commander Chad J. Guilerault has extensive experience in undersea warfare. His Executive Officer is Lieutenant Commander John Whitaker and Chief of the Boat is Senior Chief Jess Hilton Day. The Commissioning Committee was chaired by Captain Richard Colburn USN (ret.). The Attendees met Governor Kempthorne, Chairman of the Advisory Board, through a pre-recorded video where he discussed the history of Idaho and the Navy leading up to the sixth warship named for the Gem State. The last USS IDAHO BB-42, the “Big Spud”, earned seven battle stars in WWII and was alongside the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay when Japan submitted its surrender. Idaho boasts the Idaho National Laboratory , the proving ground for the first nuclear reactors and the Navy Acoustic Research Detachment in Bayview as indispensable past and present contributors to the nuclear submarine force. In addition, the Sun Valley U.S. Navy Convalescent Hospital, which treated 6,578 patients during WWII and the Arco Naval Proving Ground, where naval ordnance was tested over 400 miles from any ocean, are further evidence of the deep connection between the state and our Navy.
The Ship Sponsor, Terry Stackley has been an exemplary Sponsor from the Keel laying through to this Commissioning. Terry was born in New Jersey and educated in Maryland. She was the daughter of a shipbuilder and the wife of Naval Academy graduate, Sean Stackley, who rose to become the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. Despite no prior ties to the State of Idaho, she and the state formed a remarkable bond. She attended state fairs, tribal prayer festivals, high school assemblies and ate elk followed by huckleberry pie with members of the crew. With the passionate example of Governor Kempthorne, she became a steadfast Idahoan. Terry and Sean now call Annapolis Maryland home and have four children and two spectacular grandchildren. When she is not attending to her duties as Sponsor to the “Gem of the Fleet”, she pursues her love of music by participating in several Chorale Groups (soprano) and as music Director at her church. Her three daughters, Matrons of Honor Maura Stackley Langer and Tess Stackley and Maid of Honor Erin Stackley, were all present with their families at the weekend’s festivities.
The Gala was led by Captain Colburn who enthusiastically shared the success story of the Crew of the Prospective USS IDAHO. Electric Boat and the crew delivered the ship in record time and the crew achieved a perfect score in their acceptance trials and did it early! Terry presented the CO with a vintage spyglass to be used the next day during the setting of the First Watch. In a jaw-dropping moment, Captain Colburn announced that Committee had raised $320,000 to endow a scholarship fund for the crew and their families to be used for higher education or technical training. Again, Governor Kempthorne’s hand was evident as he encouraged that this fund be available to fill the needs of families for 50 years. This would then be accessible to youngest children of the last crew since the ship would be decommissioned 35 years from now. Any remaining funds would be reserved for a future USS IDAHO! The fund mirrors the state motto, also on the ship’s crest,: “ESTO PERPETUA”, “LET IT BE PERPETUAL”. The evening ended with a traditional blessing by Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Chairman Lee Juan Taylor. The state of Idaho is proud of its ties to the five Native American tribes who call the state home.
The submarine capital of the world and the greater submarine community turned out in force to support the Commissioning ceremony on May 25th. The pride and excitement of hundreds of Idahoans who made the trip to New England was infectious. The platform guests were announced and took their places on the platform, the sail of the IDAHO visible behind them. Honors were presented to Senator James E. Risch (ID), the ranking government official attending and the boom, boom from the guns reverberated over the Thames River . After the National Anthem, and retirement of the colors, the Invocation was given by LT CMDR Daniel Cheung. Current Idaho Governor Brad Little spoke first, remembering his predecessor Governor Kempthorne and discussing the history of the Navy/Idaho relationship. He spoke about Camp Farragut, the second largest naval training facility in WWII, which introduced more than 300,000 sailors to the Navy and was home to a 1,000 bed Navy Hospital. Mark Reha, President of General Dynamics Electric Boat, spoke of the teamwork it took to create the submarine. With pride for the ship and its crew he told the audience that the ship had the highest score on INSERV trials in the history of the Virginia Class and completed the trails in record time! Congressmen from both Idaho and Connecticut spoke next, highlighting again the connection between these two states in support of the Navy. Senator Richard Blumenthal (CT) praised the state of Idaho and his colleague Senator Risch for their role in supporting our national defense. Admiral William J. Houston, Director of Nuclear Propulsion and heir to Admiral Rickover’s role, personally oversaw the trials of SSN 779 and lauded the extraordinary accomplishment of a perfect score. He was followed by Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao, just three days into his new role. Acting Secretary Cao described the Virginia Class submarine, fast, stealthy and lethal as a vital part of the silent service. He addressed the plankowners who establish the culture for all future crews of the boat. This ship is indeed, as speakers pointed out, an apex predator. Another apex predator, the peregrine falcon, is the state bird of Idaho and sits prominently on the ships crest. Senator Jim Risch provided the keynote remarks. He spoke of his effort to have the engine room named and at the request of Governor Kempthorne read the remarks which the later had prepared to give on this day. The read speech glowed with his passion for this ship and its namesake state. Those in attendance were not aware that he had passed away the night before.
Terry Stackley then gave the most important address of the day. After thanking all who welcomed her as a non-Idahoan into her role as Sponsor, she gave the command: “Man our ship and bring her to life!” The crew responded in unison, “Aye, aye, ma’am!” and ran aboard as the boat officially came to life. Secretary Cao placed the submarine into Commission. USS IDAHO can claim for now to be the newest Virginia Class Fast Attack Submarine and claim “Best in Class” honors as well.
Idaho: Sink Ships…Cut Throats
Submitted by Ann Zumwalt (USS ZUMWALT DDG 1000)
