From left, Cmdr. Aaron Stutzman, commanding officer of the pre-commissioning unit, Newport News Shipbuilding President Jennifer Boykin, NNS welder Alex VanCampen, and ship’s sponsor Mary “Molly” Slavonic at the keel authentication ceremony for Virginia-class attack submarine Oklahoma (SSN 802) at HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 (Photo by Ashley Cowan/HII).

NEWPORT NEWS, Va - The keel laying signifies a major milestone in the life of a ship where the ship begins to transition from design to reality. The future USS Oklahoma will be the 29th Virginia Class Submarine and the first Block V submarine. It is the second Navy vessel, and the first submarine, to be named for the state of Oklahoma.

“Today represents a culmination of hard work and skill performed by a talented shipbuilding workforce and a strong foundation for future Sailors who will patrol the deep seas aboard Oklahoma in service of our nation,” said Capt. Mike Hollenbach, Virginia Class Program Manager.

In a time-honored Navy tradition, the submarine’s sponsor, Ms. Mary Slavonic, looked on as a NNS welder etched her initials onto a ceremonial steel plate that will be installed on the submarine at a later date. The bond symbolizes the enduring relationship between the sponsor, the ship, and her crew.

Slavonic has a long history of civic support to both her native state of Oklahoma and to the Navy. She worked alongside her husband, acting Under Secretary of the Navy Greg Slavonic, in building the USS Oklahoma (BB-37) Memorial in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, to honor the 429 Sailors and Marines who perished aboard the ship December 7, 1941.

Article and picture provided by Fleet Forces Command