Boston Harbor witnessed a historic event Saturday with the commissioning of the USS Massachusetts, a new Virginia-class attack submarine. The ceremony, attended by dignitaries and honored guests, formally brought the vessel into service with the United States Navy.
A New Chapter for the Bay State
The commissioning took place with a symbolic nod to naval history, as the USS Constitution, the Navy’s oldest still-commissioned ship, was present in the harbor. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey proclaimed the day “USS Massachusetts Day,” recognizing the commonwealth’s long-standing connection to naval service dating back to the Revolution.
Commander Joshua Hightower, the ship’s executive officer, declared, “Today, USS Massachusetts is tested and battle ready.” He further stated the crew was “very proud to serve on the newest attack submarine in the United States Navy.”
Advanced Capabilities
The nuclear-powered USS Massachusetts, designated SSN 798, weighs 7,800 tons and measures 377 feet in length. According to a Navy statement, Virginia-class submarines are equipped with “enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements.” Hightower emphasized the submarine’s advanced technology, stating it “represents a revolution in submarine design, construction and mission capability.”
The submarine is capable of operating globally, integrated with air, sea, and land-based forces, and is equipped to conduct “multi-dimensional warfare.” Construction began in December 2020 at Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia, with a traditional christening ceremony held on May 6, 2023.
A Ceremony of Recognition
The commissioning ceremony included remarks from Governor Healey, Admiral William Houston, director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, Congressman Seth Moulton, and Kari Wilkinson, president of Newport News Shipbuilding. Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta, served as the ship’s sponsor. Notably, three Medal of Honor recipients – U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Ryan Pitts, Army Sgt. Major Thomas Payne, and Navy Capt. (Ret.) Thomas G. Kelley – were in attendance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the USS Massachusetts’s primary function?
The USS Massachusetts is a Virginia-class attack submarine designed for a variety of missions, including surveillance, intelligence gathering, and potential combat operations.
Where was the USS Massachusetts built?
The USS Massachusetts was built under a teaming agreement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding, with construction beginning at the NNS shipyard in Virginia.
What is the significance of the USS Constitution’s presence at the commissioning?
The presence of the USS Constitution, the oldest still-commissioned ship in the Navy, served as a symbolic link between the Navy’s storied past and its modern capabilities.
As the USS Massachusetts embarks on its service, what challenges and opportunities might it encounter in the evolving global security landscape?