GROTON, Conn. — The USS Oregon officially joined the U.S. Navy fleet on Saturday, marking the first submarine named after the Beaver State in more than a century. The newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine, which can dive to depths greater than 800 feet (240 meters), was originally christened in 2019. But the COVID-19 pandemic created some “slips in schedule” for the crew, said U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-Conn., whose district includes General Dynamics Corp.’s Electric Boat Shipyard where the 377-foot (115-meter) submarine was constructed. “But I think the record should be clear that despite that unprecedented disruption, you showed up for work every day and did your job,” Courtney told the crew of approximately 136 Navy personnel during Saturday’s ceremony, held at the U.S. Submarine Base in Groton. “Please know that as you embark on your deployments, the people of this state in Rhode Island will be 100% behind you, and you will always be welcome here,” Courtney said. It marked the Navy’s first in-person commission ceremony since 2019, due to the pandemic. There was, however, a christening ceremony for the USS Hyman Rickover in August 2021. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, who said she felt at home with the mist and overcast skies, urged the crew members to embrace the traits Oregonian residents possess, including a sense of adventure as well as being courageous, collaborative and compassionate. The Oregon is the second Block IV Virginia-class submarine to enter service. The Navy said the sub is designed to conduct anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, delivery of special operations forces, strike warfare, irregular warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and mine warfare. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. called the new submarine “one of the technological marvels of the world.” https://www.oregonlive.com/nation/2...amesake-submarine-for-state-in-a-century.html
I assume this means that the Navy is planning on reinstituting the draft. We all know that’s the only way Oregon can get young talent.
He's been working on promoting his global weather pattern charts and is trying to debunk global warming theories I believe...I get emails from him about it pretty often...
Anyone heard from the old salt? Hope that stubborn Mule is doing well. At least to know he hasn’t been sank by Moby Dick.
Sure....he and I disagree about politics but other than that, he's a really accomplished sailor. Not many people could build a boat like the MarAzul...it's an impressive accomplishment to me. Before my heart failed I was considering helping him on a voyage to Hawaii...would've been a great experience for me. We talk Navy and leave it at that. Haven't spoken in ages but I still am on his mailing list...he's in his mid eighties and still sailing...I'll never be able to say that I'm pretty sure
He's actually got Tucker Carlson as a follower of his global warming papers.....I find that frightening personally but as I said....that's not what I admire about him.
