USS IDAHO SSN 799 To Be Christened on Saturday

Thu Mar 14th, 2024

KLEW

March 13, 2024

by Daniela Julio-Cano

This Saturday (March 16th) in Groton, Connecticut the USS Idaho SSN 799 will be christened. This is the first U.S. Navy warship that will carry the Idaho name in more than 100 years.

"This is I think an honor to the state, for the state of Idaho to have a ship named after her. She is going to be the most technologically advanced submarine in the world," Commander of the Lewiston Veterans of foreign Wars Post #10043 Doug Welch said.

Doug Welch says this new ship is very connected to the Gem State.

"The whole design was done up in Pend Oreille Lake area. The reactor was designed in Idaho, many of the systems that are incorporated into the submarine were all invented or developed here in Idaho," Welch said.

The submarine will be christened by the ship's sponsor Terry Stackley.

Instead of breaking a bottle of champagne on the boat's hull like in traditional ceremonies, the submarine will be christened with a bottle filled of water that Stackley collected from four of Idaho’s lakes, Lake Pend Oreille, Payette Lake, Henrys Lake and Redfish Lake.

Afterward the USS Idaho will undergo sea trials to ensure that the performance of the ship is in accordance with its plans and specifications. Trials should take a year.

"Once the Navy accepts it there will be a commissioning ceremony and that's when the full crew will officially board her for the first time as a U.S. naval vessel,” Welch said.

For those interested in watching the christening of the USS Idaho the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Lewiston will be hosting a replay watch party on Tuesday April 2nd.