Events
Major Milestones
Keel Laid & Construction Begins!
08/19/2019
The ceremonial Keel was formally laid down by Electric Boat in Quonset Point, Rhode Island. Per tradition, the shipyard welder will weld the initials of the ship’s sponsor (Christie Vilsack) onto a plate of steel, which in turn will be fabricated into a portion of the hull. The initials ACV (Ann Christie Vilsack) will be permanently part of the IOWA hull.
Christening
06/17/2023
Christening has occurred! IOWA was christened on June 17, 2023 in Groton, CT at General Dynamics, Electric Boat Division. This was the ceremonial “bottle of bubbly” being broken over the hullos the boat by the ship’s sponsor Christie Vilsack. the Christening was a spectacular event and well attended by over 3,000 friends of IOWA. The event was recorded and can be watched here.
The Commissioning
Spring, 2025
With the sponsor ordering the Captain to “Man your Ship and Bring Her to Life!”, the commissioning is currently planned for Spring 2025 and will be held in Groton, Connecticut. Organized by the Navy, the commissioning is generally open to the public and will be live-streamed as well. The Commissioning Committee will make every effort possible to open this event to as many IOWANs as possible. Watch parties for the live-streaming will be set up across the state and hosted by the Commissioning Committee.
Past & Upcoming Events
Christening Announced!
June 17, 2023 – 10 Am EST
Electric Boat has announced the USS IOWA Christening!
June 17, 2023 at 10 EST in Groton Connecticut.
Veterans Day 2022 – Commanding Officer visits Central Iowa
November 11, 2022
Altoona, IA
Commanding Officer Matt Powell and Chief of the Boat Dexter Buckley plan to attend the Veterans Day Celebrations held at Prairie Meadows in Altoona, IA.
Governor Proclaims USS IOWA Submarine Month
August 15, 2022
In a proclamation signing held on the front porch of the historic State Fair Admin building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds, Governor Kim Reynolds read and proclaimed August as the USS IOWA Submarine Month.
Joining Governor Reynolds was Lt Governor Adam Gregg, Ship’s Sponsor Christie Vilsack, PCU IOWA Commanding Officer CDR Matt Powell, Aux Chief Clay Huckaba, Sonar Petty Officer Adam Furrow, Electrician Petty Officer Steve Morton, members from the IOWA Commissioning Committee and other local area Submarine Veterans of IOWA members.
Commanding Officer & Crew visit IA State Fair
August 15, 2022
PCU IOWA Commanding Officer Matt Powell and select crew members visited the 2022 IA State Fair Monday Aug 15 for Veterans Day at the Fair.
During the visit, CDR Powell visited the IA Pork Producers tent and enjoyed amongst other things ‘maple glazed bacon’ on a stick. Pictured here with Ship’s Sponsor Christie Vilsack
Iowa Crew visits for Memorial Day
May 27, 2022
Van Meter, Iowa
LCDR Kevin O’Malley and LTJG Pat Rafferty visit Iowa in support of Memorial Day events held at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery.
Captain James visits State Capitol
January 18,2022
Des Moines, Iowa
Captain Quintin James visited Iowa January 18-20 for the Veterans Day Rally Celebrations, held at the state Capitol.
Christie Vilsack participates in a keel signing ceremony
August 20, 2019
Quonset Point, RI
Ship’s sponsor Christie Vilsack participates in a keel signing ceremony at the Electric Boat facility.
Ceremony Celebrating USS Iowa Naming
September 05, 2015
Secretary Ray Mabus hosts ceremony to commemorate the naming of the next Iowa legacy warship, the USS Iowa SSN 797.
