The pre-commissioning unit (PCU) Iowa (SSN 797) arrives for the first time at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, December 19, 2024. The future USS Iowa was delivered to Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 4 from General Dynamics Electric Boat shipbuilding facility down river after recently completing a series of at-sea testing. The fast-attack submarine PCU Iowa and crew operate under SUBRON 4 and its primary mission is to provide fast-attack submarines that are ready, prepared, and committed to meet the unique challenges of undersea combat and deployed operations in unforgiving environments across the globe. (U.S. Navy photo by John Narewski)
A submarine bearing the State of Iowa’s name will be commissioned next week. The USS Iowa is the third Navy vessel named for the state, and the first to be active with the name in over three decades. Previously, the Iowa class battleship USS Iowa (BB-61) was in service from 1943 to 1990. It saw action during World War II, the Korean War, and the Gulf War.
The USS Iowa being commissioned in Connecticut on April 5th is a 377-foot long submarine with a 34-foot beam. The crew for the vessel will be approximately 140 personnel. She is a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine.