Friday was a day when hope and history shared the same waters at Naval Submarine Base New London, in Groton, Conn.
The day opened as sailors assigned to the Pre-Commissioning Unit Missouri raised colors for the first time aboard Missouri, the seventh Virginia-class attack submarine. The crew moved aboard and began bringing the sub’s systems to life. Known as “In Service Day,” the 134 officers and sailors accepted day-to-day operations of the sub, as well as its safety and security. The crew also began preparations for sea-trials, work-ups and eventual commissioning, scheduled for July 31.
The same day, the attack submarine Philadelphia entered the base having completed its 16th and final deployment.
The third Los Angeles-class attack sub, Philadelphia was commissioned June 25, 1977, and is scheduled to be decommissioned June 25. It conducted more than 1,00 dives and received eight Battle E’s in its 33 years of service.
