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Kirkland Donald News

18 May 2015

US Navy Lays Keel for PCU Indiana

A welder carves the initials of ship's sponsor Diane Donald on a metal plate during the keel laying ceremony for the future Virginia-class attack submarine Indiana (SSN 789). (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries by Ricky Thompson)

The U.S. Navy held a keel laying ceremony for the Virginia-class submarine Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Indiana (SSN 789) at Huntington Ingalls Industries, Newport News Shipbuilding, May 16. The initials of the submarine's sponsor, Diane Donald, were welded onto a steel plate that will be permanently affixed to the submarine. Donald is the wife of retired Adm. Kirkland Donald and a long serving member of the Submarine Force spouse organization. She actively supported, organized…

09 Apr 2012

U.S. Nuclear Submarine Mississippi Completes First Voyage

The nation’s newest and most-advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine, Mississippi (SSN-782), returned to the Electric Boat shipyard following the successful completion of its first voyage in open seas, called alpha sea trials. Mississippi is the ninth ship of the Virginia Class, the most-capable class of attack submarines ever built. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). During the alpha sea trials, Mississippi submerged for the first time and conducted high-speed runs on and under the surface to demonstrate that the submarine’s propulsion plant is fully mission-capable. The sea trials were conducted by Adm. Kirkland Donald, director – Naval Nuclear Propulsion. Also participating in the sea trials were Rear Adm.

06 Jul 2010

Submarine Missouri Completes First Voyage

The nation's newest and most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine, (SSN-780), returned to the Electric Boat shipyard following the successful completion of its first voyage in open seas. is the seventh ship of the Virginia Class. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD). 's alpha sea trials included a range of submarine and propulsion-plant operations, submerging for the first time, and high-speed runs on and below the surface to demonstrate that the ship's propulsion plant is fully mission-capable. The sea trials were directed by U.S. Navy Adm. Kirkland Donald, director – Naval Nuclear Propulsion. Also participating in the sea trials were Rear Adm. William Hilarides, program executive officer – Submarines; Rear Adm.

24 Jun 2008

Navy Christens New Hampshire

PCU New Hampshire (SSN 778) sponsor Cheryl McGuinness and General Dynamics Electric Boat President John P. Casey formally christen the fifth Virginia class submarine Saturday, June 21, 2008 at General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard in Groton, Conn. McGuinness, a resident of Portsmouth, H.H., lost her husband, Tom, on September, 11, 2001, in the World Trade Center attacks. He was a co-pilot on American Airlines Flight 11. U.S. Navy photo by John Narewski

By Lt. This christening marks the fourth time the U.S. Navy named a ship after the . The service awarded the name to the submarine after third-graders from in , wrote letters to Congress members, the governor and the Secretary of the Navy. Adm. Kirkland Donald, Naval Nuclear Propulsion director, gave the principal remarks and spoke about the 's way ahead. "There still is a lot of hard work to be done," said Donald. " is entering the fleet during a time of conflict. Ship sponsor Cheryl McGuinness…

11 Jun 2004

PCU Jimmy Carter Christened at Electric Boat

With a swing of the Korbel and a blessing for “all who sail in her,” Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter christened PCU Jimmy Carter (SSN 23) at General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard on June 5. Mrs. Carter, Former President Jimmy Carter, their daughter Amy and a crowd of more than 4,500, came to bear witness to the christening of the third and last Seawolf-class submarine. “This is a wonderful day for me, and to see my wife break the champagne on undoubtedly the finest, and formidable, ship in the world was a great honor for me," said former President Carter. Adm.