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USS Texas (SSN-775)
Encyclopedia
USS Texas (SSN-775) is a Virginia-class submarine
, and the fourth ship of the United States Navy
to be named in honor of the state of Texas
.
The contract to build her was awarded to the Northrop Grumman Newport News
shipyard (then called Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.) in Newport News, Virginia
on 30 September 1998 and her keel was laid down on 12 July 2002. She was christened on 31 July 2004 by Laura Bush
, First Lady of the United States
.
She was launched into the James River
on 9 April 2005.
on 4 September 2006 and was escorted into the harbor by Elissa
. Texas was commissioned
in Galveston, Texas
, and joined the U.S. Atlantic Fleet
on 9 September 2006.
The ship, under the command of Commander Robert Roncska, departed New London Naval Submarine Base at Groton for Pearl Harbor on September 16, 2009. On its way to Pearl Harbor, the sub traveled to the Arctic Ocean and surfaced near the North Pole's ice pack. Due to the thickness of the ice on the West Coast, the sub turned around and completed its westbound transit via the Panama Canal. The Texas arrived in her new home port on November 23, 2009.
The sub departed Pearl Harbor for her first three-month operational patrol on May 19, 2010. The location of the ship's first deployment was not disclosed by the Navy.
, denoting the outstanding patriotism and leadership the citizens of Texas have contributed to the American nation. Located within the state outline is a symbol of the atom, representing the warfighting capability and endurance afforded Texas by nuclear power.
Texas is backed by the traditional badge of the Texas Rangers
. This identifies the singularity of purpose between the men and women who enforce Texas law and the sailors. The four white stars represent the four American warships to bear the name of the state of Texas. "Don't Mess with Texas
" is a well known anti-littering state slogan and a warning for those who attempt to prevent Texas from carrying out her mission. The battle scarred Lone Star flag
flying behind Texas represents the gallant heroism of those who fought and died at the Alamo
to ensure the future of Texas, and it also represents the perseverance with which Texas and her crew will endure through all missions that are put before her."
Virginia class submarine
The Virginia class is a class of nuclear-powered fast attack submarines in service with the United States Navy. The submarines are designed for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions...
, and the fourth ship of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
to be named in honor of the state of Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.
The contract to build her was awarded to the Northrop Grumman Newport News
Northrop Grumman Newport News
Newport News Shipbuilding , originally Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company , was the largest privately-owned shipyard in the United States prior to being purchased by Northrop Grumman in 2001...
shipyard (then called Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.) in Newport News, Virginia
Newport News, Virginia
Newport News is an independent city located in the Hampton Roads metropolitan area of Virginia. It is at the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula, on the north shore of the James River extending southeast from Skiffe's Creek along many miles of waterfront to the river's mouth at Newport News...
on 30 September 1998 and her keel was laid down on 12 July 2002. She was christened on 31 July 2004 by Laura Bush
Laura Bush
Laura Lane Welch Bush is the wife of the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush. She was the First Lady of the United States from January 20, 2001, to January 20, 2009. She has held a love of books and reading since childhood and her life and education have reflected that interest...
, First Lady of the United States
First Lady of the United States
First Lady of the United States is the title of the hostess of the White House. Because this position is traditionally filled by the wife of the president of the United States, the title is most often applied to the wife of a sitting president. The current first lady is Michelle Obama.-Current:The...
.
She was launched into the James River
James River (Virginia)
The James River is a river in the U.S. state of Virginia. It is long, extending to if one includes the Jackson River, the longer of its two source tributaries. The James River drains a catchment comprising . The watershed includes about 4% open water and an area with a population of 2.5 million...
on 9 April 2005.
Operations
Under the command of Captain John Litherland, Texas arrived at Galveston BayGalveston Bay
Galveston Bay is a large estuary located along the upper coast of Texas in the United States. It is connected to the Gulf of Mexico and is surrounded by sub-tropic marshes and prairies on the mainland. The water in the Bay is a complex mixture of sea water and fresh water which supports a wide...
on 4 September 2006 and was escorted into the harbor by Elissa
Elissa (ship)
The tall ship Elissa is a three-masted barque. She is currently moored in Galveston, Texas, and is one of the oldest ships sailing today....
. Texas was commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
in Galveston, Texas
Galveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
, and joined the U.S. Atlantic Fleet
U.S. Atlantic Fleet
The United States Fleet Forces Command is an Atlantic Ocean theater-level component command of the United States Navy that provides naval resources that are under the operational control of the United States Northern Command...
on 9 September 2006.
The ship, under the command of Commander Robert Roncska, departed New London Naval Submarine Base at Groton for Pearl Harbor on September 16, 2009. On its way to Pearl Harbor, the sub traveled to the Arctic Ocean and surfaced near the North Pole's ice pack. Due to the thickness of the ice on the West Coast, the sub turned around and completed its westbound transit via the Panama Canal. The Texas arrived in her new home port on November 23, 2009.
The sub departed Pearl Harbor for her first three-month operational patrol on May 19, 2010. The location of the ship's first deployment was not disclosed by the Navy.
Ship's crest
"In the forefront is a full view of Texas, ready to go forth and take the fight to the enemy. Emblazoned on her hull is the shape of the state of TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, denoting the outstanding patriotism and leadership the citizens of Texas have contributed to the American nation. Located within the state outline is a symbol of the atom, representing the warfighting capability and endurance afforded Texas by nuclear power.
Texas is backed by the traditional badge of the Texas Rangers
Texas Ranger Division
The Texas Ranger Division, commonly called the Texas Rangers, is a law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction in Texas, and is based in Austin, Texas...
. This identifies the singularity of purpose between the men and women who enforce Texas law and the sailors. The four white stars represent the four American warships to bear the name of the state of Texas. "Don't Mess with Texas
Don't Mess with Texas
The phrase Don’t Mess with Texas is a trademark of the Texas Department of Transportation, which began as part of a statewide advertising campaign started in 1986...
" is a well known anti-littering state slogan and a warning for those who attempt to prevent Texas from carrying out her mission. The battle scarred Lone Star flag
Flag of Texas
The Flag of the State of Texas is defined by law as follows:The Texas flag is known as the "Lone Star Flag" . This flag was introduced to the Congress of the Republic of Texas on December 28, 1838, by Senator William H. Wharton...
flying behind Texas represents the gallant heroism of those who fought and died at the Alamo
Alamo Mission in San Antonio
The Alamo, originally known as Mission San Antonio de Valero, is a former Roman Catholic mission and fortress compound, site of the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, and now a museum, in San Antonio, Texas....
to ensure the future of Texas, and it also represents the perseverance with which Texas and her crew will endure through all missions that are put before her."