Anne Rich Bowman News

USS North Carolina Joins the Fleet

By Lt. The Navy's newest nuclear-powered submarine, USS North Carolina (SSN 777), was brought to life May 3 during a commissioning ceremony held in its namesake state at the . The ship's sponsor, Mrs. Linda Anne Rich Bowman, wife of Admiral Frank L. "Skip" Bowman, retired U.S. "You're a team and ready to go forth and defend this country," said Bowman. "My hope is that she (USS North Carolina) will sail in peace to keep us free. The ceremony included speeches made by local and congressional politicians as well as flag officers of the submarine force. The Secretary of the Navy Donald C.

USS North Carolina Christened

Sponsor Linda Anne Rich Bowman Christens the submarine USS North Carolina (SSN 777) during a ceremony at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard as Commander, Submarine Force Adm. John J. Donnelly and Northrop Grumman Newport News President Mike Petters look on. North Carolina is the fourth Virginia-class submarine built and the first major U.S. Navy combatant vessel class designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind. North Carolina is scheduled to be commissioned in December 2007. Photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman