Navt Commissions Fast-Attack Submarine

Navy Commissions Fast-Attack Submarine
Yahoo! News - National - AP ^ | Sat Oct 23, 5:54 PM ET | By SONJA BARISIC, Associated Press Writer



NORFOLK, Va. - With bells ringing and horns blaring, the Navy on Saturday commissioned the lead ship of its latest class of fast-attack submarines specifically designed for post-Cold War security threats.

The $2.2 billion, nuclear-powered USS Virginia differs from other submarines because it can not only roam the deep blue ocean but also get close to shore in shallow water, which Navy officials say is important in fighting terrorism.

Lynda Johnson Robb, daughter of President Lyndon Johnson and wife of former Sen. Charles Robb, D-Va., gave the traditional order to "man our ship and bring her to life" in ceremonies at Norfolk Naval Station, the world's largest Navy base.

"Aye, aye, ma'am," the crew of about 130 responded. They then raced up both ends of the sub and lined up on deck as a Navy band played "Anchors Aweigh."

The 377-foot-long sub is the first to be built without a periscope, using a high-resolution digital camera instead. That meant the control room, which always had to be directly below the periscope, could be moved to a larger space in the sub's lower deck.

The Virginia also can launch unmanned undersea vehicles. Other improvements include a new computerized autopilot designed to reduce stress on the crew and a reconfigurable torpedo room that can hold extra beds for special operations forces.

In his keynote address, Sen. John Warner (news, bio, voting record), R-Va., said the Virginia will help lead the fight against terrorism.

"We cannot ever blink. We cannot ever flinch. We cannot yield," said Warner, a former Navy secretary. "This ship will very definitely play a role in that war on terror."

The sub is the first of 10 Virginia-class submarines scheduled to be built through a partnership between Northrop Grumman Newport News and General Dynamics Electric Boat. The class is projected to have 30 subs.

First lady Laura Bush christened the USS Texas, the second sub in the class, at the Newport News shipyard in July.

Ralph Folger, 81, of Troy, N.Y., was among more than 4,000 invited guests at the ceremonies Saturday. He served on three subs during World War II.

"It's the newest and latest thing out and completely different from anything I've ever served on," Folger said. "It's spectacular."

Crew members were excited about the commissioning.

"It really means that we are joining the ranks of the rest of the warships," said Lt. Cmdr. Luis Molina, 34, of Jacksonville, N.C., who will serve aboard the Virginia. "You're going from a big hunk of steel that was built by the shipyard to a ship of the line."

The good news is that we're adding new subs to the fleet,that are designed to fight terrorists,conduct special ops-and possibly be tasked to sink all of Irans sub fleet.

Now for the bad news:" Lynda Johnson Robb, daughter of President Lyndon Johnson and wife of former Sen. Charles Robb, D-Va., gave the traditional order to "man our ship and bring her to life" in ceremonies at Norfolk Naval Station, the world's largest Navy base. "

I'm surprised that a democrapper would even agree to being in the ceremony,'cept for political purposes,ie,to make it appear as though they don't hate the military,when in fact,most dims and liberals hate the military for taking funds away from their precious social enginering projects-I hope this vessel ain't jinxed.

I surely do wish though,that I could serve aboard the USS Texas,the first sub in this class,commissioned by Laura Bush-wish that I at least had a hat !

Your one sided views are ridiculous Torog. You pick out negative things about everyone but your own party. You should definately try and be more openminded than a blind supporter. Do you really think democrats are not patriots because they don't share your views? Do you hate them because they are different than you? What makes them less patriotic that you? If you were really so patriotic, you would use that freedom that you support so strongly and not limit your views. Be an individual, a free thinker, and look at all the information and views that are out there. Don't let your vision be blurred. Maybe you should listen to what other parties have to say and base your opinions on a broader view of things. You'd look both ways before crossing the street right? I'm a fellow republican Torog, but I am not a blind follower.

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Originally Posted by sawleaf

Your one sided views are ridiculous Torog. You pick out negative things about everyone but your own party. You should definately try and be more openminded than a blind supporter. Do you really think democrats are not patriots because they don't share your views? Do you hate them because they are different than you? What makes them less patriotic that you? If you were really so patriotic, you would use that freedom that you support so strongly and not limit your views. Be an individual, a free thinker, and look at all the information and views that are out there. Don't let your vision be blurred. Maybe you should listen to what other parties have to say and base your opinions on a broader view of things. You'd look both ways before crossing the street right? I'm a fellow republican Torog, but I am not a blind follower.

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Howdy sawleaf,

I realize that I seem to be a 'blind follower',but I don't see anything good coming from the Left-do you ?

Appearances,can be decieving,I keep most of my independent thoughts to myself..gotta keep some secrets,huh ?

I like some of the Libertarian platform for instance..but like Kerry,Badnarik wants to retreat and abandon the middle east,which will probably leave Israel on it's own-which would force Israel to defend it's self with every means possible-that would include the full spectrum of their NBC weapons.

The Left,has done everything in it's power,to destroy family values and to outlaw Christianity,for the Left,'good character',is a dirty word and politically incorrect. There ain't a socialist idea,that the Left doesn't like,they always weaken the military everytime they hold office-so tell me-what good is there coming from the Left ?

You will be paying at least 2000$ more in taxes,if Kerry is elected,and if the Left has their way,starting in kindergarden,our kids will be taught how to commit sodomy on each other and 'explore ' their sexuality,abortion clinics will be giving abortions to even more under-age girls without parental notification,and gay marriage-will be the law of the land.

So,please tell me,which of my traditional,conservative Christian values I should abandon,just so I won't be a 'blind follower' ?

Surely,you aren't suggesting that I be more 'politically-correct'-are ya ?

Have a good one....Torog

No I don't expect you to be more politically correct nor abandon your Christian values Torog. I am a Christian also, but I don't think religion needs to run the country. Government needs to be free from it, because when it comes down to it, religion is just an opinion. People need more freedom, not more restriction. Just because we have Christian beliefs doesn't mean everyone who doesn't is wrong. Isn't freedom supposed to be free??? Not restricted to what Christians see as good and bad. I should be free to choose the lifestyle I want not have Christian values forced on me. I don't entirely agree with the Left either. Why does the right claim pro-life yet they are pro-death penalty and pro-war? Why is the right so opposed to anything that doesn't fit their ideal values? Why not let gays marry? Isn't diversity and freedom why our country is so special? About the middle east. Why do you think all these countries there hate us? Do you really believe it is because they hate our freedom? Do you think Israel is a good country, just like we are a so called good country? Do you really think everything the US does in the world is good? I don't view the Left as good, but they seem more openminded and freedom oriented. I see the right as anti-freedom and restrictive of it. I am tired of two parties that think they are both totally correct on all the issues.

Howdy sawleaf,

Dang it,I reckon that you're more right than I care to admit,I realize that the Right is by no means perfect,and I shouldn't try to force my values,traditional or religious,on anyone.

Have a good one...Torog

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Originally Posted by Torog

Howdy sawleaf,

Dang it,I reckon that you're more right than I care to admit,I realize that the Right is by no means perfect,and I shouldn't try to force my values,traditional or religious,on anyone.

Have a good one...Torog

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Sometimes you just frustrate me Torog. Not a personal attack though. But sometimes I just have to type up my disagreement. :) We agree and disagree on a lot. Maybe we should just bring up a topic that we both agree the left and right are dead wrong with. To the conservatives: let us smoke our cannabis, we are not criminals. To the liberals, we have the right to bear arms, stop trying to restrict that right.

an excellent exchange of ideas.