Navy commissions nuclear submarine USS California

By BROCK VERGAKIS, Associated Press
8:53 a.m., Oct. 29, 2011

NORFOLK, Va. — The Navy's newest nuclear-powered submarine has joined the fleet.

The USS California was commissioned during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk on Saturday, becoming the Navy's eighth Virginia-class sub.

Virginia-class submarines are the Navy's most modern subs. They have capabilities that allow them to perform better in shallow water than other subs and have special features to help them support special forces. The Navy has 72 submarines in its fleet.

The California cost about $2.3 billion to build and was delivered more than eight months ahead of schedule by Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia.

The ship will be home ported at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn. Cmdr. Dana Nelson is the ship's commanding officer.

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011 ... fornia/?ap