Monday, August 02, 2010

Hawaii Governor Visits Namesake Submarine

By Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

USS HAWAII, At Sea (NNS) -- The Virginia-class submarine USS Hawaii (SSN 776) hosted Linda Lingle, the governor of Hawaii and the submarine's sponsor, July 29, for a day of operational demonstrations and interaction with the crew.

The governor's visit provided an opportunity for the submarine to increase understanding and strengthen ties between the submarine and her homeport host.

"All the features of this submarine that respectfully pay homage to Hawaii, to our history, and to the Ali'i of Hawaii and our customs are deeply appreciated," Lingle remarked to the crew. "You make us proud!"

Following her participation in a ceremony in which the governor presented Machinist's Mate 3rd Class (SS) Cody Wyrick of Houston, with his submarine warfare qualification pin, Lingle thanked the crew and presented Sailors with coins for their, "service to America and for you being on our namesake ship, USS Hawaii."

Measuring 377 feet long, weighing 7,800 tons when submerged and with a complement of more than 130 crew members, Hawaii is one of the Navy's newest and most technologically sophisticated submarines.

The state-of-the-art submarine is capable of supporting a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, naval special warfare involving special operations forces, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare.

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