Hospitality State Will Join the Silent Service

Well all I can say is it's about freaking time! Last week Secretary of the Navy Donald Winter announced that one of the next Virginia-class fast attack submarines will bear the name USS Mississippi. We have not had a ship (or boat) within the fleet designated Mississippi since 1917, which in my opinion has been a slap in the face. A state with such a strong connection to building our nation’s fleets should have been honored long ago. According to the US Navy:

The selection of Mississippi, designated SSN 782, is dedicated to the state's long standing tradition of shipbuilding in support of our nation's defense. It also honors the indomitable spirit of the people of Mississippi who have made great strides in recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. This fighting spirit will be an inspiration to all sailors who embark aboard Mississippi.

There have been four previous ships named Mississippi. The first Mississippi, a side wheeler, served as Commodore Matthew Perry's flagship for his historic voyage to Japan and fought with Admiral Farragut's forces on the Mississippi River during the Civil War.

These next-generation attack submarines will provide the Navy with the capabilities it requires to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. They will have improved stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that will enable it to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.

Well done SECNAV. Now all Winter has to do is quit bungling Navy platform acquisitions while cleaning-up the ship building industry. We here at For the Greater Good, however, are not holding our breath.