Garden State Times

Senate Republican Leader Anthony M. Bucco (R-25) attended the commissioning ceremony for the USS New Jersey, the first Virginia-class nuclear submarine designed with crew gender integration in mind.

“It was an honor to attend the commissioning ceremony for the USS New Jersey,” said Sen. Bucco. “Supporting those who selflessly put their lives on the line to defend our nation is paramount and seeing the New Jersey namesake begin its journey to defend our nation and uphold our state motto of ‘liberty and prosperity’ will forever be a proud day for the Garden State. Godspeed to Commander Halle and his crew.”

The USS New Jersey will be commissioned into the active fleet of the United States Navy as the third vessel to carry the name USS New Jersey at Naval Weapons Station Earle in Middletown. Home ported in Norfolk, Va., this will be the first time a USS New Jersey will be in the active fleet since the Battleship New Jersey (BB-62) was decommissioned in 2001, where she now is moored as a museum and memorial on the Camden Waterfront.

This vessel, SSN 796, is the third ship named after New Jersey, following a World War I battleship and a WWII-era battleship. It is the first Virginia-class nuclear submarine designed with crew gender integration in mind. The submarine, part of the Block IV Virginia Class, is 377 feet long, can stay submerged for up to three months, and will be commanded by Cmdr. Steve Halle.