(KORN, Mitchell)- Three of South Dakota’s top elected officials represented the state at Saturday’s commissioning of the USS South Dakota at Groton, CT.
Congressman Dusty Johnson told the crowd, “this is our boat.”
Gov. Kristi Noem delivered a message to the submarine’s crew from the people of South Dakota.
Keynote speaker Senator Mike Rounds spoke about the battleship South Dakota’s contribution during World War II and offered wishes for the new USS South Dakota.
Former Lieutenant Governor Matt Michels along with the USS South Dakota Commissioning Committee and numerous other South Dakotans attended as well.
GROTON, Conn. (Feb. 2, 2019) Richard Hackley, a veteran who served aboard the battleship USS South Dakota (BB 57), passes the long glass to Lt. Benjamin McFarland, the first officer of the deck to stand duty aboard the submarine South Dakota, during the boat’s commissioning ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London, Feb. 2, 2019. South Dakota is the U.S. Navy’s 17th Virginia-class attack submarine and the third ship named for the State of South Dakota. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tristan B. Lotz/Released)
GROTON, Conn. (Feb. 2, 2019) The crew of the Virginia-class attack submarine USS South Dakota (SSN 790) stands ready to assume duty during the boat’s commissioning ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London, Feb. 2, 2019. South Dakota is the U.S. Navy’s 17th Virginia-class attack submarine and the third ship named for the State of South Dakota. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tristan B. Lotz/Released)
GROTON, Conn. (Feb. 2, 2019) The crew of the Virginia-class attack submarine USS South Dakota (SSN 790) stands assembled after “bringing the ship to life” and assuming duty during the boat’s commissioning ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London, Feb. 2, 2019. South Dakota is the U.S. Navy’s 17th Virginia-class attack submarine and the third ship named for the State of South Dakota. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tristan B. Lotz/Released)
