USS Massachusetts Joins the U.S. Navy Fleet

The USS Massachusetts was officially commissioned into the U.S. Navy fleet on Saturday, becoming the first submarine named after the state of Massachusetts. This Virginia-class fast attack submarine, capable of diving to depths greater than 800 feet (240 meters), was christened on May 6, 2023, by Sheryl Sandberg, the former Chief Operating Officer of Meta. The submarine, co-produced by General Dynamics Electric Boat and Newport News Shipbuilding, is the 25th in its class and the fifth U.S. Navy vessel to bear the name Massachusetts.

The IndependentFirst submarine named after Massachusetts joins the Navy fleet

The USS Massachusetts has a displacement of approximately 8,000 tons and can carry up to 24 Tomahawk cruise missiles. Commanding Officer Mike Siedsma, a 21-year Navy veteran, expressed pride in bringing the submarine into Boston Harbor, noting that it has been decades since a submarine has docked there. He remarked, "I looked at the history books. I don't think we've had a submarine in Boston Harbor since sometime in the late '80s or early '90s." The commissioning comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tensions, with Siedsma stating, "What is important to remember is what we are doing is proving the power of the United States Navy."

The IndependentFirst submarine named after Massachusetts joins the Navy fleet

The crew of the USS Massachusetts consists of 147 members, including 39 women, marking a significant milestone in gender integration within the Navy. This development follows the lifting of a ban on women serving on submarines 16 years ago. Sandberg highlighted the importance of this representation, stating, "Those sailors just don't inspire me. They inspire every little girl out there to believe that she could do anything."

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The name Massachusetts has a storied history within the Navy. The first USS Massachusetts was a steamer built in 1845, while the last, USS Massachusetts (BB 59), was commissioned in 1942 as a South Dakota-class battleship, primarily serving in the Pacific during World War II. Sandberg reflected on the historical significance of the state, noting, "People are still fighting for the same freedoms that the original colonists were fighting for."

The IndependentFirst submarine named after Massachusetts joins the Navy fleet

The Navy emphasized the importance of the USS Massachusetts as a symbol of both military capability and historical legacy. Siedsma described the submarine's design as intentionally inclusive, stating, "The ship is intentionally designed to be served on by both women and men. That is pretty exciting."

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• “To be able to take a ship from new construction and watch it be built together by the ship yard, train with our team and bring into Boston Harbor for the first time, it's very amazing,” — Mike Siedsma, Commanding Officer

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• “The geopolitical situation is very interesting,” — Mike Siedsma, Commanding Officer

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• “Those sailors just don't inspire me. They inspire every little girl out there to believe that she could do anything.” — Sheryl Sandberg, Ship Sponsor

First submarine named after Massachusetts joins the Navy fleet

• “people are still fighting for the same freedoms that the original colonists were fighting for.” — Sheryl Sandberg, Ship Sponsor

First submarine named after Massachusetts joins the Navy fleet

The commissioning of the USS Massachusetts not only marks a significant addition to the U.S. Navy's fleet but also serves as a reminder of the state's historical contributions and the ongoing evolution of the military.

The Independent