New Facility for Virginia-Class Submarine Sailors at Newport News Shipbuilding
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced today that its Newport News Shipbuilding division has opened a new facility that provides workspace for the crews of Virginia-class submarine (VCS) pre-commissioning units (PCUs) while their submarines are under construction. The facility is collocated with Newport News’ submarine final outfitting and assembly facilities, thereby increasing the crews’ ability to access and train with the ship systems during the final stages of construction. To provide convenient offices and training space, the building’s second floor provides separate sections for the three PCU crews that are on-site in an overlapping manner as a result of the two-per-year VCS construction pace.
Joe Tofalo to Lead US Submarine Force
Rear Adm. Joe Tofalo will take command of Submarine Forces, a post that comes with a third star and oversees the submarine force's manning, gear and training. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter announced that the president has made the following nomination: "Navy Rear Adm. Joseph E. Tofalo, for appointment to the rank of vice admiral and for assignment as commander, Naval Submarine Forces; commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; and commander, Allied Submarine Command, Norfolk, Virginia. The nomination is the latest in a string of new assignments at the top rungs of the nuclear Navy. Adm. John Richardson, the head of Naval Reactors, has been nominated to be the next chief of naval operations; a new NR boss hadn't been named as of May 20.
Navy Announces Christening of Submarine North Carolina
The Navy’s newest attack submarine, North Carolina, will be christened Saturday, April 21, during an 11 a.m. EDT ceremony at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard, Newport News, Va. The fourth submarine of the Virginia class, SSN 777 will bear the name North Carolina to honor the Tar Heel State. The submarine will be the fourth ship of the U.S. Navy to bear the name North Carolina. The first was a 74-gun ship-of-the-line that served from 1820 to 1836. The second North Carolina was a Tennessee-class armored cruiser that was also built at the Newport News shipyard and served from 1908 to 1921. The third North Carolina was the first of the Navy's modern battleships, serving from 1940 to 1947, earning 12 battle stars for service during World War II.
