#                                                                         President, First Lady celebrate commissioning of USS Delaware (SSN 791)                                                                    

##### by Lt. Seth Koenig, Submarine Readiness Squadron (SRS) 32

02 April 2022WILMINGTON, Delaware -- 
            SLIDESHOW | 14 images | 220402-N-YG157-0249                    220402-N-YG157-0249 WILMINGTON, Delaware (April 2, 2022) – The crew of the Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) board the ship during a commissioning commemoration ceremony in Wilmington, Delaware April 2, 2022. The initial commissioning took place administratively in April 2020 due to COVID restrictions at the time and is the first submarine to be commissioned while submerged. Delaware, the seventh U.S Navy ship and first submarine named after the first U.S. state of Delaware, is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.  (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Dakota David)                            220402-N-YG157-0249                                            1 of 14                                        220402-N-YG157-0249 WILMINGTON, Delaware (April 2, 2022) – The crew of the Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) board the ship during a commissioning commemoration ceremony in Wilmington, Delaware April 2, 2022. The initial commissioning took place administratively in April 2020 due to COVID restrictions at the time and is the first submarine to be commissioned while submerged. Delaware, the seventh U.S Navy ship and first submarine named after the first U.S. state of Delaware, is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.  (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Dakota David)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                                        220402-N-YG157-0247                                            2 of 14                                        220402-N-YG157-0247 WILMINGTON, Delaware (April 2, 2022) – The crew of the Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) board the ship during a commissioning commemoration ceremony in Wilmington, Delaware April 2, 2022. The initial commissioning took place administratively in April 2020 due to COVID restrictions at the time and is the first submarine to be commissioned while submerged. Delaware, the seventh U.S Navy ship and first submarine named after the first U.S. state of Delaware, is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.  (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Dakota David)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                                        220402-N-KO018-0156                                            3 of 14                                        220402-N-KO018-0156 WILMINGTON, Delaware (April 2, 2022) – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro delivers remarks during a commissioning commemoration ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) in Wilmington, Delaware April 2, 2022. The initial commissioning took place administratively in April 2020 due to COVID restrictions at the time and is the first submarine to be commissioned while submerged. Delaware, the seventh U.S Navy ship and first submarine named after the first U.S. state of Delaware, is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.  (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Carson Davis)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                                        220402-N-YG157-0223                                            4 of 14                                        220402-N-YG157-0223 WILMINGTON, Delaware (April 2, 2022) – First Lady Jill Biden, ship’s sponsor for the Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791), delivers remarks during a commissioning commemoration ceremony in Wilmington, Delaware April 2, 2022. The initial commissioning took place administratively in April 2020 due to COVID restrictions at the time and is the first submarine to be commissioned while submerged. Delaware, the seventh U.S Navy ship and first submarine named after the first U.S. state of Delaware, is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.  (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Dakota David)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                                        220402-N-YG157-0178                                            5 of 14                                        220402-N-YG157-0178 WILMINGTON, Delaware (April 2, 2022) – U.S Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware presents a ceremonial spyglass to Lt. Stephen Walsh during a commissioning commemoration ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) in Wilmington, Delaware April 2, 2022. The initial commissioning took place administratively in April 2020 due to COVID restrictions at the time and is the first submarine to be commissioned while submerged. Delaware, the seventh U.S Navy ship and first submarine named after the first U.S. state of Delaware, is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.  (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Dakota David)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                                        220402-N-GR655-1142                                            6 of 14                                        220402-N-GR655-1142 WILMINGTON, Delaware (April 2, 2022) – President of the United States Joe Biden speaks with Sea Cadets following a following a commissioning commemoration ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) in Wilmington, Delaware April 2, 2022. The initial commissioning took place administratively in April 2020 due to COVID restrictions at the time and is the first submarine to be commissioned while submerged. Delaware, the seventh U.S Navy ship and first submarine named after the first U.S. state of Delaware, is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.  (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Karsten)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                                        220402-N-GR655-1053                                            7 of 14                                        220402-N-GR655-1053 WILMINGTON, Delaware (April 2, 2022) – President of the United States Joe Biden takes a selfie with Lt. Cmdr. Adam Parkinson and his family on board the Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) following a commissioning commemoration ceremony in Wilmington, Delaware April 2, 2022. The initial commissioning took place administratively in April 2020 due to COVID restrictions at the time and is the first submarine to be commissioned while submerged. Delaware, the seventh U.S Navy ship and first submarine named after the first U.S. state of Delaware, is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.  (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Karsten)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                                        220402-N-GR655-0586                                            8 of 14                                        220402-N-GR655-0586 WILMINGTON, Delaware (April 2, 2022) – President of the United States Joe Biden delivers remarks during a commissioning commemoration ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) in Wilmington, Delaware April 2, 2022. The initial commissioning took place administratively in April 2020 due to COVID restrictions at the time and is the first submarine to be commissioned while submerged. Delaware, the seventh U.S Navy ship and first submarine named after the first U.S. state of Delaware, is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.  (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Karsten)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                                        220402-N-GR655-0463                                            9 of 14                                        220402-N-GR655-0463 WILMINGTON, Delaware (April 2, 2022) – President of the United States Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, and Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday stand during the national anthem during a commissioning commemoration ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) in Wilmington, Delaware April 2, 2022. The initial commissioning took place administratively in April 2020 due to COVID restrictions at the time and is the first submarine to be commissioned while submerged. Delaware, the seventh U.S Navy ship and first submarine named after the first U.S. state of Delaware, is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.  (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Karsten)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                                        220402-N-GR655-0250                                            10 of 14                                        220402-N-GR655-0250 WILMINGTON, Delaware (April 2, 2022) – President of the United States Joe Biden is greeted by Senior Chief Petty Officer Travis Grammer, chief of the boat for the Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791), and his family during a commissioning commemoration ceremony in Wilmington, Delaware April 2, 2022. The initial commissioning took place administratively in April 2020 due to COVID restrictions at the time and is the first submarine to be commissioned while submerged. Delaware, the seventh U.S Navy ship and first submarine named after the first U.S. state of Delaware, is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.  (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Karsten)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                                        220402-N-GR655-0175                                            11 of 14                                        220402-N-GR655-0175 WILMINGTON, Delaware (April 2, 2022) – President of the United States Joe Biden is greeted by Submarine Squadron 12 commander Capt. Matthew Boland during a commissioning commemoration ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) in Wilmington, Delaware April 2, 2022. The initial commissioning took place administratively in April 2020 due to COVID restrictions at the time and is the first submarine to be commissioned while submerged. Delaware, the seventh U.S Navy ship and first submarine named after the first U.S. state of Delaware, is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.  (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Karsten)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                                        220402-N-GR655-0060                                            12 of 14                                        220402-N-GR655-0060 WILMINGTON, Delaware (April 2, 2022) – First Lady Jill Biden is greeted by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday and Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, during a commissioning commemoration ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791) in Wilmington, Delaware April 2, 2022. The initial commissioning took place administratively in April 2020 due to COVID restrictions at the time and is the first submarine to be commissioned while submerged. Delaware, the seventh U.S Navy ship and first submarine named after the first U.S. state of Delaware, is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.  (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Karsten)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                                        220402-N-GR655-1000                                            13 of 14                                        220402-N-GR655-1000 WILMINGTON, Delaware (April 2, 2022) – President of the United States Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden operate the periscope using a video game controller alongside U.S. Fleet Forces commander Adm. Daryl Caudle, right, and Cmdr. Matthew Horton, commanding officer of the Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791), following a commissioning commemoration ceremony in Wilmington, Delaware April 2, 2022. The initial commissioning took place administratively in April 2020 due to COVID restrictions at the time and is the first submarine to be commissioned while submerged. Delaware, the seventh U.S Navy ship and first submarine named after the first U.S. state of Delaware, is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.  (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Karsten)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                                        220402-N-GR655-0895                                            14 of 14                                        220402-N-GR655-0895 WILMINGTON, Delaware (April 2, 2022) – President of the United States Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden are greeted by Petty Officer 1st Class David Jaimeruiz following a commissioning commemoration ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine USS Delaware (SSN 791), and his family in Wilmington, Delaware April 2, 2022. The initial commissioning took place administratively in April 2020 due to COVID restrictions at the time and is the first submarine to be commissioned while submerged. Delaware, the seventh U.S Navy ship and first submarine named after the first U.S. state of Delaware, is a flexible, multi-mission platform designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface warfare; delivery of special operations forces; strike warfare; irregular warfare; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and mine warfare.  (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Karsten)                                        Download Image                                            Image Details                    

President Biden previously represented the state of Delaware for 36 years in the U.S. Senate.Due to COVID restrictions in place at the time, there was no traditional commissioning ceremony held when USS Delaware was commissioned administratively on April 4, 2020. On that day, the submarine was underway and became the first U.S. Navy ship commissioned while submerged.Saturday’s ceremony followed the script of a traditional commissioning in every way and was held in commemoration of the milestone.“This latest Navy ship to carry the Delaware name is part of a long tradition of serving our nation proudly and strengthening our nation’s security,” President Biden said. “Not just us, but our allies and partners around the world as well.”As the ship sponsor, Dr. Jill Biden performed the traditional honor of calling for the crew to man the ship and “bring her to life,” a ceremonial procession following the commemorative setting of the first watch.“This vessel will always uphold the First State’s motto of ‘Liberty and Independence,’” she said. “It’s difficult to put into words what it means to be a part of the USS Delaware family. It’s an incredible honor that I take seriously. I’ve seen the heart of this crew and it makes me proud and humbled to be your shipmate for life.”USS Delaware is the 18th Virginia-class submarine built, as well as the eighth and final Block III Virginia-class sub. The Block III submarines are notable for replacing 12 vertical launch tubes for Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM) with two larger, 87-inch diameter launch tubes, capable of carrying larger payloads, among other advancements.“The men who serve — and will serve — aboard the USS Delaware will bear our state’s name for decades to come as they defend our nation,” said U.S. Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, the event’s keynote speaker. “Through their sacrifice and service, may we grow even closer to that more perfect union.”USS Delaware is homeported at Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, where it operates under Submarine Squadron 12 and its Commodore, Capt. Matthew Boland.“The Sailors who power our undersea fleet are an elite breed,” Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro told those in attendance Saturday. “They’re skilled, they’re disciplined and they’re determined. They make enormous sacrifices, achieving amazing things over the horizon and under the waves.”Delaware Gov. John Carney, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware, U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday and Adm. Daryl Caudle, commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, were also among the distinguished guests in attendance.The submarine is the seventh U.S. Navy ship to be named for the First State, but first in more than a century. The first ship to be named Delaware was a 24-gun frigate launched in July of 1776, the month the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.The most recent previous ship to bear the name was a battleship commissioned in 1910 and in service in the Atlantic during World War I.Cmdr. Matthew Horton, commanding officer of SSN 791, told Saturday’s attendees his submarine followed in the proud wake of the battleship Delaware, which also visited the Port of Wilmington 112 years ago to celebrate her commissioning.“This week we had the pleasure of sailing through the beautiful Delaware Bay and River, past Fort Delaware, and continuing the tradition of Delaware warships calling on their namesake and presenting our fine warship to the First State,” he said.“USS Delaware stands before you as the ideal ship,” Horton continued. “Limitless in range; unmatched in power, precision, and stealth. Her engineering renders her nearly undetectable; her sensors reveal the presence of any foes. Capable of dominating across the spectrum of warfare, she excels in all her assigned missions. From the depths of the ocean, ensuring sea control, to delivering precision strikes and supporting naval special warfare.”Fast-attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence. They are designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare. Fast-attack submarines project power ashore with special operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or preparation of regional crises.

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