In brief
On Saturday, the USS Massachusetts was officially commissioned into the U.S. Navy, making it the first submarine named after the state. This Virginia-class fast attack submarine, sponsored by former Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg, can dive deeper than 800 feet and carry 24 Tomahawk missiles. Commanding officer Mike Siedsma expressed pride in bringing the submarine to Boston Harbor, the first time in decades. The submarine reflects significant advancements in gender integration, with 25% of its crew consisting of women.
BOSTON (AP) — The USS Massachusetts has joined the U.S. Navy fleet after a commissioning ceremony on Saturday, making it the first submarine to carry the name of the Bay State. This Virginia-class fast attack submarine, able to descend over 800 feet, was officially christened earlier this year on May 6, by Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta. It marks the 25th Virginia-Class submarine co-produced by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding.Commanding Officer Mike Siedsma, a 21-year Navy veteran, expressed his excitement about witnessing the submarine's journey from construction to deployment, emphasizing its historical significance for Boston, which hasn’t hosted a submarine since the late ’80s or early ’90s.With a cost exceeding $2.8 billion and a weight of approximately 8,000 tons, the USS Massachusetts boasts the capacity to carry 24 Tomahawk cruise missiles. However, Siedsma did not disclose the submarine's immediate deployment plans amidst a tense geopolitical climate. The recent sinking of an Iranian warship by a U.S. submarine off the coast of Sri Lanka adds to the backdrop of the commissioning.Addressing the ship's diverse crew, which includes 39 women, Sandberg remarked, Those sailors not only inspire me; they inspire every little girl to believe they can achieve anything. This submarine is designed for a gender-integrated crew, following the lift of the ban on women serving on submarines.The Navy noted that the USS Massachusetts is the fifth vessel to bear the state’s name, with its historical ties dating back to the first steamer commissioned in 1845.As Sandberg reflected on the commissioning, she drew connections to Massachusetts’s significant role in American heritage and the ongoing fight for freedom reminiscent of the original colonists. Tours of the submarine featured a unique dining area with historical items reflecting Massachusetts's connections.Siedsma highlighted the importance of the submarine's contributions to national security and the evolving role of women in the Navy, stating, “What we are doing is proving the power of the United States Navy.”
