US Navy's attack submarine will be named for New Jersey, officials announce

The state of New Jersey will be represented in the United States Navy once more.

U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus joined New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez, U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, and New Jersey Brigadier General Michael Cunniff at Liberty State Park this morning to announce that a new Virginia Class attack submarine will be commissioned as the USS New Jersey.

"New Jersey has a long history in the creation of the modern day submarine," Menendez said to a crowd of Navy sailors, referencing John Philip Holland, the Irish engineer who designed and built the first submarines in Elizabeth, New Jersey. "I felt that as we are creating a new class of submarines it was time New Jersey got recognition."

Menendez, a Democrat, and Frelinghuysen, a Republican, advocated to Mabus to have the newest addition to the Navy's submarine fleet named after the Garden State.

The vessel itself will be seaworthy by 2021, Mabus estimated.

It will be built in two halves in Groton, Conn. and Newport, Va. It is a nuclear-powered vessel that will never need refueling and should serve in the fleet for 40 years, Mabus said. The Navy secretary also said that the Virginia Class attack sub is the most advanced submarine in the world, "by far."

Mabus explained these vessels are used for a variety of missions, including delivery of special forces, surveillance, and anti-surface, anti-land, and anti-submarine missions.

"We own the undersea domain thanks to submarines like these," Mabus said.

The USS New Jersey will likely be the 13th Virginia Class attack submarine in the Navy's arsenal.

"When the USS New Jersey is commissioned, it will be a source of pride for everyone in our state for decades," said Frelinghuysen, who represents a congressional district that takes in parts of Morris, Essex, Sussex, and Passaic counties.

The commissioning of the USS New Jersey is the first time a Naval vessel has been named after the Garden State in 72 years.

Mabus said the last vessel named after the state - the Battleship New Jersey - served in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and in Lebanon. The ship received 19 battle stars and is now on display in Camden as a museum. Overall, the submarine will be the third naval vessel to be named after New Jersey.

When asked why it took 72 years to get another Naval vessel named after New Jersey, Mabus laughed and said "I guess (Menendez and Frelinghuysen) were just waiting for the right secretary of the Navy to come along."