News Release: USS IDAHO Commissioning Committee Welcomes U.S. Navy Sailors, Including Native Idahoan, to North Idaho, Sep. 17-23, 2023
Tue Sep 12th, 2023
News Release / Media Advisory
For Immediate Release, Sep. 10, 2023
Contact: Tim Marsano, USS IDAHO Commissioning Committee Public Affairs, (208) 789-7456 timothy.marsano@ ussidahocommittee.org
USS IDAHO Commissioning Committee Welcomes U.S. Navy Sailors, Including Native Idahoan, to North Idaho, Sep. 17-23, 2023
The USS IDAHO Commissioning Committee will again welcome a contingent of the first U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the under-construction USS IDAHO to the Gem State. One sailor, Petty Officer Robert Boscan, hails from Hayden, ID. It is a core mission of our committee to familiarize the sailors with our state and to establish a bond between Idaho’s citizens and the sailors who will take the USS IDAHO to sea as a crucial part of our nation’s military strategy.
The USS IDAHO, a Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine under construction in Groton, CT, is on schedule to be christened in 2024 and commissioned into U.S. Navy active service in 2025. This is the first Navy vessel to be named after Idaho in over 100 years. A committee of Idaho volunteers is working to plan for the warship’s christening and commissioning activities under guidelines set by the Secretary of the Navy. More information on the committee, its goals and activities can be found at https://ussidahocommittee. org/ Visitors to the website will also find a wealth of information about the submarine and its capabilities.
During this trip to Idaho, the committee has planned a number of activities for Commander Randall Leslie and 5 crew members to include a visit to the Navy's Acoustic Research Detachment at Bayview, ID. This is significant because the USS IDAHO's quieting improvements were evaluated on Lake Pend Oreille at this facililty. In fact, every quieting improvement for U.S. Navy submarines over the past 50 years was tested and improved at this crucial test facility. The crew will also visit the historic World War II Naval Training Station (now Farragut State Park) and then meet with local submarine veterans and local leaders at a public reception in Sandpoint. On Tuesday, they will meet members of Kellogg High School's U.S. Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC). The crew will visit the Nez Perce County Museum in Lapwai, ID. After touring University of Idaho's Schweitzer Engineering Labs to see the construction of components for the submarine, crew members will attend the Vandals football game on Sep. 23.
Public & Media Opportunities: The USS IDAHO Commissioning Committee would like to invite Idaho media outlets to cover portions of the sailors’ visit to the Gem State during their visit. - Monday, Sep. 18
6:30 to 8 p.m. - Sandpoint reception hosted by the Rotary Club of Sandpoint and the USS IDAHO Commissioning Foundation. Sandpoint Community Hall, 204 S. 1st St., Sandpoint.
- Tuesday, Sep. 19
5 to 6 p.m. - Meet and Greet at Super One Foods, 240 W. Hayden Ave., Hayden. This is an opportunity for the community to welcome one of its own, since USS IDAHO crew member Petty Officer Robert Boscan will attend this event.
- Wednesday, Sep. 20
6 to 7:30 p.m. - Lewiston Reception hosted by the Lewiston VFW Sourdough Post 10043 and the USS IDAHO Commissioning Foundation, VFW Hall, 1104 Warner Ave, Lewiston.
- Thursday, Sep. 216 to 7 p.m. - Grangeville Reception hosted by the Grangeville American Legion Post 0037 and the USS IDAHO Commissioning Foundation, Idaho County Veterans Center, 318 E. Main St., Grangeville. Contact info: Major (ret.) Jinny Cash, (208) 983-1033
- Saturday, Sep. 231 p.m. - The crew will attend the U. of Idaho football game vs. Sacramento State in Moscow. They will be introduced to the crowd at halftime.
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Note to reporters: While the date for the upcoming christening of the USS IDAHO has not been finalized, that historic event is an opportunity for media outlets to potentially prepare in-depth stories and packages in advance. The recently christened USS IOWA is the newest Virginia-class submarine and media outlets created a number of stories to get the word out in June 2023. As examples, please see:
https://www.kcci.com/article/ iowans-celebrate-christening- of-uss-iowa-submarine/44235134
About the USS IDAHO Commissioning Committee:- We serve as the state’s agent for the planning, preparation, funding and conduct of traditional and celebratory lay down, christening and commissioning activities under the guidelines of the Secretary of the Navy.- We conduct a statewide outreach of social, informative and educational activities to create the bond between the people of Idaho and those who serve in defense of our great state and nation on the USS IDAHO.- We identify and implement a sustainable program so that the crews of the USS IDAHO, from the first crew to all future crews, see tangible ongoing support from the people of Idaho to the crew and families.More information on the committee, its goals and activities can be found at https://ussidahocommittee. org/ Visitors to the website will also find a wealth of information about the submarine and its capabilities.
