From Commander Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs
GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- The Chief of the Boat (COB) assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Mississippi (SSN 782) participated in two unique voyages aboard PCU California (SSN 781), and later USS Constitution, during their annual holiday cruise, July 4.
Master Chief Machinist's Mate Bill Stoiber, Mississippi COB, participated in the Navy's newest Virginia-class submarine initial, or Alpha, sea trials aboard California, which ended successfully, July 2. Stoiber participated in California's sea trials for familiarization and preparation for Mississippi's sea trials to be held next year.
Stoiber, a native from Pittsburg, Calif., was pleased to participate in the submarine's first maiden voyage. "I was honored to say I was underway aboard the submarine named for my home state."
Immediately after returning to its pre-commissioning port in Newport News, Va., July 2, Stoiber traveled to Boston, for his next adventure aboard the world's oldest commissioned war ship, "Old Ironsides," for its annual Fourth of July Boston Harbor cruise.
"These two events were once-in-a-life time experiences because I was able to celebrate our great nation's freedom by starting out aboard PCU California, the Navy's newest ship, and capping it off with the Boston Harbor cruise aboard USS Constitution," said Stoiber. "I will never forget this day."
Constitution is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston. She is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors a year.
California is commanded by Cmdr. Dana Nelson a native of Clinton, Conn. California is currently undergoing Bravo sea trials followed by the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey trials, which will commence in late July 2011. Built under a unique teaming agreement by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Huntington Ingalls-Newport News, the submarine will be commissioned on Oct. 29, 2011 in Norfolk.
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