Good morning , ladies and gentlemen ,
it is my distinct honor and privilege
to welcome you to submarine base , New
London and the commissioning of us S
Hyman G Rickover . I'm Commander Kyle
hobbled the ship's executive officer on
behalf of the crew of your submarine ,
Hyman G Rickover . I would like to
express our sincere gratitude for
joining us here today . Before our
celebration begins , please silence
your cell phones . Thank you . We are
here today to celebrate the
commissioning of us . S Hyman G .
Rickover , the second ship to bear the
name of the father of the Nuclear navy ,
the first Hyman G . Rickover SSN 709
was placed in commission on July 21st ,
1984 . The ceremony was held in a
downpour here at submarine base , New
London . The boat was featured
prominently in the documentary
submarine steel boats , Iron Men filmed
in 1989 and aired in November of 1991 .
She was inactivated on 14 December 2006 .
We are honored to have several former
commanding officers and crew members of
the first time . And Juri over here
today , gentlemen , please stand and be
recognized .
Would all active duty and veterans .
Please stand
with all military families . Please
stand .
Ladies and gentlemen , thank you for
your service and sacrifice . The new
Hyman Rickover moored before you
affectionately referred to as a boat by
members of the submarine community and
crew will soon join America's Silent
Service . SSN 795 is a Virginia
class submarine and with her sister
ships , she represents a revolution in
submarine design , construction and
mission capability . Brimming with
leading edge technology and advanced
engineering . This vessel brings
versatility and firepower to the fleet .
Rickover and the Virginia class are
among the most effective platforms in
the United States Navy . And this
warship takes another step forward in
advancing the superiority of our
submarine force capable of operating in
the far corners of the world's oceans
undetected while connected to air sea
and land based forces . These
submarines are equipped to wage
multidimensional warfare around the
globe . Ricko's adaptability makes it
highly responsive to changing mission
requirements and provides the nation
with the capabilities required to be
the decisive factor in any conflicts .
In addition to anti submarine warfare ,
anti surface ship warfare and counter
mine warfare . Hyman G Rickover will
support surveillance , special
operations and covert strike missions .
Thank you all for allowing each of us
the privilege to serve our nation as a
part of your navy
construction began on the submarine .
You see behind me in May of 2018 and it
was christened on July 31st 2021 across
the Thames River at General Dynamics
electric boat . Today , the USS Hyman
Rickover is tested and battle ready .
We are all very proud to serve on the
newest attack submarine in the United
States Navy . The commissioning
ceremony is a time honored tradition
that began with the commissioning of
the navy's first ship , a captured
British schooner , the Margaretta in 17
75 . Since then , thousands of ships
have undergone the transition from
silent hole to a fully alive warship .
My shipmates are crew hereafter known
as plank owners are in formation and
ready in just a few moments . Navy band
northeast and the submarine based New
London saluting Battery will render
honors to the honorable Richard
Blumenthal . Will the guest
please rise and remain standing for the
arrival of our official party honors
the presentation of colors , our
national anthem and the invocation .
Ladies and gentlemen , our platform
guests , Lieutenant Commander Eamon
mcgraw , Chaplain Corps United States
Navy . Our ceremony chaplain
Mr Bill Nissen , chairman us Hyman G .
Rickover commissioning committee .
Lieutenant Commander Neil Spillane
United States Navy retired our long
glass presenter
captain Brian Heberle United States
Navy supervisor of shipbuilding Gratton .
Captain Mike Hollenbach United States
Navy program manager , Virginia class
submarine program
captain Jason Grizzel United States
Navy commander , submarine squadron
four ,
Mr Kevin Gray . President General
Dynamics Electric Boat
Rear Admiral Jonathan Rucker , United
States Navy Program Executive Officer
attack submarines ,
Vice Admiral William Houston United
States Navy commander , submarine
Forces ,
Admiral Frank Caldwell United States
Navy Director Naval Nuclear propulsion
program ,
the honorable Carlos Del Toro , the
78th Secretary of the Navy ,
the honorable Joe Courtney United
States Representative State of
Connecticut second district ,
the honorable Jack Reed United States ,
Senator State of Rhode Island .
Ladies and gentlemen , our ship sponsor ,
Miss Darlene Greenert , and our matron
of honor , MS Sarah Greenert mcnichol ,
escorted by master chief petty Officer
Sean de Graf Hein Rickover's chief of
the boat .
Ladies and gentlemen , the honorable
Richard Blumenthal , United States ,
Senator State of Connecticut , escorted
today by Commander Matthew Beach ,
Hyman G Rickover commanding officer .
Ladies and gentlemen , honors to the
honorable Richard Blumenthal
platform , hand salute
platform ready to
advance the colors
by hand salute .
No , retire
the colors , right ?
This
what
platform ready to .
We'd like to thank Navy Band ,
Northeast Submarine based New London
Sal Saluting Battery and the Rickover
Academy color guard for their
participation in our ceremony today ,
ladies and gentlemen , chaplain mcgraw
will deliver the invocation .
Let us pray gracious God
as we joyfully gather here to celebrate
the commissioning of the Hyman G
Rickover . We give you thanks for our
many blessings . It has been said that
no man is an island and it is true that
alone we can do so little . But
together we are made strong here today
are friends and family from across this
great nation and from around the world .
A crew gathered from many places and
backgrounds in a boat named after a
Jewish Polish immigrant , we thank you
for this embodiment of what we as a
nation strive toward a unity of purpose
built from a diversity of people , free
people , serving something greater than
themselves and sacrifices made in
pursuit of peace and a bright future .
May this boat and her crews not only
defend such principles but live them as
well , but it is not just those who
gather today from whom we draw strength
for . We stand on the shoulders of
giants , the sailors who forged our
navy and tested the depths of the sea .
The minds that dreamed the incredible
and the pioneers who made it possible ,
the hands that built this technological
marvel and the crews that will take her
to see in particular . We thank you for
the work of Admiral Rickover for his
example of courage , endurance and
excellence . May this boat and all who
sail in her be worthy of and continue
this proud legacy . And finally , we
pray for peace in Ukraine in
Israel and around the world . May this
boat and the entire US navy continue to
be a promise of peace , a deterrent to
aggression and a guarantee of
faithfulness around the globe .
Amen . Thank you , chaplain
mcgraw . Will the guests please be
seated , Hyman G
Rickover parade , rest ,
ladies and gentlemen , the honorable
Joe Courtney .
Thank you , uh commander and good
morning . Uh Everyone as the
congressman for Eastern Connecticut ,
the submarine capital of the world .
It's an honor to kick off today's
official launch of the 22nd Virginia
class submarine , the US S Hyman G
Rickover first . I want to acknowledge
Captain Ken Curtain and the 9000
sailors and staff at submarine base New
London for hosting today's event every
day . They do amazing work training
every one of America's enlisted
submariners while at the same time
conducting heel to toe deployments of
16 home ported attack submarines .
Their mission which is well known to
Navy Secretary , Carlos Del Toro and
Admiral Frank Caldwell , who are today
on on today's platform and most
especially to the boat sponsor Darlene
Greenert and her husband , Admiral
Jonathan Greenert , who served here in
so many capacities over the years .
Their presence at America's oldest
submarine base along with Senators Reid
and Blumenthal at an event honoring the
father of the nuclear navy is very
special . The real luminaries today
though are electric boat shipbuilders
and captain Matthew Beech and his crew
who since the rick over Christening in
2021 have not taken their eye off the
ball to get this boat delivered to the
fleet . They are part of a new
generation of shipbuilders and sailors
who commissioned two Virginia class
submarines last year , Oregon and
Montana and will launch two more
submarines in in rapid succession .
Rick over today in us . S New Jersey in
the coming months . What's more ? 13
Virginia subs are in the production
queue after these vessels to make this
all work in 2023 Electric boat under
Kevin Gray's leadership has hired 4400
workers in our shipyards here in
Southern New England . Well , on their
way to a to the calendar year hiring
goal of 5750 . The , the biggest in the
history of this , of this company as
these patriots enter the workforce at
Electric Boat , many of whom are Gen Z
and millennials . Admiral Rickover's
passionate advocacy for America to
raise its education standards ,
resonates as never before . This
technological wonder behind us is a
testament to this new workforce , not
only because of the diversity of their
rich talent pool , but also because of
their proficiency in science ,
technology , engineering and math .
Rick Over's legacy carries an
additional significant significance
today that coincides with the advent of
the Aus Submarine Agreement with our
Australian and British allies . During
his tenure , Rick over made countless
visits to assist the United Kingdom as
that nation stood up its nuclear
submarine program and helped convince
the US Congress to share top secret
naval nuclear propulsion technology in
19 58 an inspirational roadmap for the
US Navy , the Congress and the UK to
follow today to assist Australia in its
effort to partner in our joint program
with Aus in mind . We have a couple of
special guests here today that I would
like to recognize first , a member of
the greatest generation who I met at a
veterans coffee house a few months ago ,
Mr Neil Spillane of Mystic Connecticut .
Neil fought with the 94th infantry
division that landed in Normandy in
World War two , fought its way through
the hedgerows and and was one of the
first units to make its way into
Germany . Mr Spillane after the war
went to work at electric boat in the ,
in the 19 fifties where he was part of
the team that executed the transfer of
Rickover's precious nuclear technology
to the UK as their program developed ,
I would ask Neil to stand up and be
recognized .
Second , we have a delegation of
friends from both the Australian and
British embassies in Washington DC here
for this occasion , notably British
ambassador , Dame Karen Pierce and
Naval Attache , Rear Admiral Tim Woods ,
as well as Commander Chris Unden and
Commodore Bradley Francis from
Australia . And I'd ask them to stand
up and be recognized .
This is a great day for the navy , our
shipbuilders , international allies and
partners and veterans to renew Admiral
Rickover's legacy of excellence and to
the crew . Congratulations on a job
well done and best wishes as you embark
on your journey to do great things for
our nation . Thank you very much .
Thank you , representative Courtney ,
ladies and gentlemen , Mr Kevin Gray .
Thanks Xo . Good morning .
I'm honored to represent the 22,000
shipbuilders of General Dynamics
Electric Boat who proudly delivered us
S Hyman G . Rick over SSN 7 95 the
second submarine named after the father
of the nuclear navy . I'm also honored
to represent the shipbuilders of our
teaming partner Newport News
Shipbuilding . Today , Admiral
Rickover's vision for nuclear
propulsion was realized 75 years ago
with the creation of the Navy's nuclear
power program and nuclear Power branch .
Congratulations to naval reactors on
their 75th birthday .
I'm proud to say electric boat has
partnered with naval reactors for 73 of
those 75 years Starting back in 1950
with a phone call between Admiral
Rickover and my predecessor E B's
General Manager , Oren Pomeroy Robinson .
Junior Rickover asked , can you build a
hull for an atomic submarine ? Why ?
Sure Robinson replied , like any good
shipbuilder . But what do we have to do ?
I don't know myself . The admiral
replied , but we'll work it out . And
that phone call exemplifies the
partnership between our navy and our
industry together responsible for
delivering more than 200 nuclear
submarines . Now , including us . S
Rick over through the Cold War and
Reagan build up to the n of low rate
production and the peace dividend that
partnership has endured today in an
uncertain world . Our nation's
submarines have never been in higher
demand and remain at the center of our
national strategy for deterring
aggression . What began as a
partnership between our navy and us
industry is now expanding to include
the UK and Australia as we seek to
preserve peace then . And now electric
boat has adapted in response to the
changing defense needs of our nation to
provide the navy with the submarines it
needs . Now we're growing at historic
levels with record numbers of new
shipbuilders joining our ranks , they
will quickly learn as others have
before them that their hard work and
God given talent serve the men and
women who wear our nation's cloth and
crew . These incredible ships to the
crew of SSN 7 95 we , the shipbuilders
remain steadfast in our mission to give
you every unfair advantage we can , we
can to keep you safe and return home to
your families . Every submariners
proudly wears their dolphins and
commits to embodying admirals ,
Rickover's principles of leadership .
You are uniquely privileged to be plank
owners of the second submarine name for
the admiral and I know you will honor
his legacy through your personal
commitment to excellence in your
sponsor , Mrs Darlene Greener . You
have a woman who has served in the navy
for 42 years as a naval officer , a
volunteer and a devoted military spouse .
Darlene brings extraordinary dedication ,
love and energy to her role . As I'm
sure you already know her spirit will
sail with you on your missions and not
that she needs it , but Darlene may
have a little help from above in that
regard . Back in May of 2018 ,
Mrs Eleanor Rickover attended electric
boats key lane ceremony for SSN 7 95 .
She was just shy of 88 and clearly
moved by the words spoken that day
about her husband . At the end of the
ceremony , Mrs Rickover asked if she
could touch the 7 95 module that was on
display but shrouded in scaffolding
members of electric boats . Fire
Department safely transported her to a
platform where she , where she could
fulfill her wish . Commander Beach . We
wish you and the crew of Hyman G Rick
over a safe and distinguished tour of
duty . May the US S Hyman G Rick over
serve you and our nation long and well .
Thank you .
Thank you , Mr Gray . Ladies and
gentlemen , the honorable Jack Reed .
Thank you , Commander first . Uh , let
me recognize and thank all who today
wear . The uniform of the United States
are veterans and especially their
families because no one serves alone .
Thank you very much .
I wanna thank uh , Secretary Del Toro ,
not only for joining us today but for
continuing to serve the nation . He has
done so at sea and now on shore and he
does so with great diligence and , and
great , great skill . Thank you ,
Secretary Del Toro
and I have to give a special shout out
to my colleagues . Uh Blumenthal is one
of the most thoughtful , one of the
most um
genuine members of the Mic Senate and
the Arm Services Committee that I can
recognize . He does a superb job for
the nation and for Connecticut . And I
also wanna recognize Joe Courtney
because I think Joe has submarine
tattoos someplace on .
He's obsessed . Thank God . Thank God .
I'm very proud to be here today for the
commissioning of the Hyman Rickover for
over 100 years . The United States
submarine has been pivotal in our
defense and it's more crucial now than
ever . It is the result of the
creativity of people like Admiral
Rickover , the construction skills or
electric boat , but most particularly
the men and women who man these ships ,
we must ensure that we continue to
produce the submarines that are the
greatest deterrence we have and the
greatest fear our adversaries
hold . It's fitting that we name this
submarine after the father of the
nuclear navy . Admiral Hyman Rickover
has a legacy of ingenuity , tenacity
and leadership . In fact , I think it
could be summed up in one word , genius .
We slew him today and this ship will
bear his memory and his dedication to
the nation forward and to all the men
and women at Quonset Point and Groton .
And by the way , submarines begin their
existence in Rhode Island at Quonset
Point . I just have to emphasize that .
Thank you , Kevin . You understand that
Kevin Gray . Yes , they built
the , the High Rickover and all the
sister boats and their dedication and
diligence is remarkable and they do so
because they understand profoundly that
they're giving these ships to young
Americans and their safety , their
security and their effectiveness is
absolutely essential . And that's why
they give more than 100% . And I thank
them for that finally and most
importantly to command the beach and
the crew of the Rickover , on behalf of
Rhode Island and the nation , we are
extraordinarily grateful for your
service . We stand with you both that
periscope depth and on every dive to
the God bless you all .
Thank you , Senator Reid , ladies and
gentlemen , the honorable Richard
Blumenthal . Thank you commander .
Uh Thank you all for being here on this
autumn , New England Day . And uh
thank you for the service of our
families and to all of you who are here
today . I'm going to try to tailor my
remarks in length to the youngest among
our attendees today . Uh
The reference to uh me by
Senator Reid was overly generous . I
will say I am very proud to serve under
him on the Armed Services Committee and
he has guided the United States Senate
during these past years with vision and
courage and strength and to my friend
and colleague , uh Joe Courtney . He is
rightly known as two subs , Joe and
we are continuing to produce two subs
in Connecticut because of Joe's
perseverance and diligence . Uh The
reference to Admiral Rickover
as a
Jewish Polish immigrant
brings to mind very much the question ,
what would he think today about what we
are going through ? He revolutionized
submarine warfare undersea American
superiority . And today we continue to
revolutionize warfare with artificial
intelligence and technology that
probably he never foresaw .
But it's tradition the tradition of
innovation and invention that he
began and the can do attitude of
doing the unpredicted
and always keeping our nation superior
submarines remain the most versatile
stealthy , strongest weapons platform
we have in the United States of America
and the strongest deterrent force we
have . And the shipbuilders at electric
boat are the most dedicated and skilled
of any of our defense contractors in
the United States . Today , we
are at war , not we as a nation with
troops on the ground , but the brazen
barbarous attacks on Ukraine and on
Israel remind us that the world
remains a very dangerous place for
democracy . I've been to Ukraine four
times in the last 18 months and I've
seen the determination of the people of
Ukraine as President Zelinsky told me
once to fight with pitchforks if they
need to do it , but they are depending
on us to give them the tools to win .
The people of Israel are fighting now ,
even as we speak , bleeding and dying .
Some of my own relatives in the IDF
America . The President Connecticut has
said we stand with Ukraine . We have
said we stand with Israel but in order
to be the effective deterrent force to
stand with peoples who have been
attacked simply because they are
democratic and free . We need the kind
of deterrence that we celebrate today .
The deterrence that our navy gives us
on this 248th birthday .
We must always be superior
under sea . It is the source of our
strength and our war fighters should
never have a fair fight . And so
I wanna thank all who have built this
ship , all who will serve on it , all
who will keep up the great tradition of
Hyman Rickover , the father of this
nuclear submarine force . And
I am grateful to
the people who enable us
to provide the infrastructure , the
workforce , the basic defense ,
industrial base that is essential to
provide those nations . Ukraine and
Israel , what they need to win . May
God bless the Hyman Rick over all who
serve honor and God bless our great
country . Thank you .
Thank you , Senator Blumenthal , ladies
and gentlemen , Admiral Frank Caldwell .
Good morning . It is an absolute honor
to be here to bring our 22nd Virginia
class submarine to life . This is a
proud day for our navy . It's a proud
day for our shipbuilders and our
industry partners and an incredibly
proud day for our submarine force . You
know , every great boat needs a great
sponsor . The first Rickover as you've
heard was sponsored by the late Eleanor
Rickover whose spirit lives on in every
single sailor who served in SSN 709 .
Today , we are blessed that this rick
over SSN 795 is sponsored by Miss
Darlene Greener . No one can rival
Darlene's passion and commitment for
our navy families and their and their
sailors . I know that her all and
attitude will be a source of tremendous
pride for all who serve in Rickover .
Darlene . Thank you for watching over
our Rickover sailors and families and
for celebrating their service alongside
them . Congratulations . And today we
are exceptionally proud that you will
continue to be part of our submarine
family . Darlene . Congratulations .
You know , Admiral Rickover challenged
what's possible beginning with our
first nuclear powered submarine
nautilus . And in doing so , he changed
our submarine force . He changed naval
warfare , he changed us industry and
shipbuilding forever . His achievements
during his lifetime are extraordinary .
But what is even more profound is his
enduring impact . This year , we
celebrate 75 years of the naval nuclear
propulsion program . Consider this
seven decades after the program's
inception , 40 years after he left
naval reactors , the culture of high
standards ownership , unwavering
responsibility that Admiral Rickover
instilled in our nuclear navy remains
strong to this very day , sailors and
chiefs and officers and civilians and
industry leaders still speak the
language of Rick . Over now decades
after the admiral's passing , Admiral
Rickover often asserted that it is
people , not organizations who get
things done . We see proof of that here
today , we see it in the strong support
of our congressional leaders ,
especially those on the platform with
us . We see it in the phenomenal team
of electric boat , Newport news
shipbuilding , our government team and
countless vendors from around the
United States . Collectively , they
build the most complex and capable
vessels ever put to sea and they do it
with the Rickover standard of
excellence . This boat more than any
others will be expected to live to the
Rickover standards that awesome
responsibility will fall to commander
Ned , Captain Ned uh Matthew Beach and
his fantastic crew , a responsibility
that will be inherited by every
Rickover sailor who follows to this
crew much has been demanded of you
during final construction and at sea
testing , you are and always will be
the lifeblood of this warship . I
encourage all of you to learn about
your namesake . To study Admiral
Rickover is to learn about the pursuit
of excellence . It is to constantly
assess oneself and your team . It is to
relentlessly challenge yourself and
your shipmates and always ask , have I
done the best that I can do ? I commend
to you the rick over principles of
leadership . They're quite simple ,
learn your job . This involves study
and hard work , work hard at your job .
Train your people inspect frequently
to make sure that the job is being done
properly . I'm proud that I want to see
on this boat for their first underway .
Congratulations to the entire rick over
crew . I have to tell you they are
fantastic . How about a round of
applause ?
Now , Admiral Rickover kept an old
breton fishing fisherman's prayer very
close to his heart . He often presented
a small and grave plaque to commanding
officers with the opening lines from
this prayer and the opening lines read
like this . Oh God Thy sea is so great
and my boat is so small . The US
Navy will send this boat and this crew
into the Great Sea . We will do so
confident in the standard of excellence
used to build this halt . We will do so
confident in the knowledge of the
crew's ability to maintain and operate
the ship . We will be confident in the
pride and the love and support of the
Rickover families and we will be
confident in the commitment of every
Rickover sailor to answer the nation's
call , wherever and whenever needed .
Thank you and God bless this boat and
all who shall sail and rick over .
Ladies and gentlemen , I now have the
distinct pleasure of introducing our
principal speaker . He is a fellow
Naval academy grad from the great class
of 1983 . He is a highly accomplished
naval officer . His service in uniform
included being the first to command us
S Buckley DDG 84 . He had a
highly successful career in industry .
He is his unwavering leadership has
been essential in making the
president's vision for the historic
trilateral Aus agreement a reality .
He now leads our navy in what I
consider to be one of the most pivotal
and consequential times in our history .
Ladies and gentlemen , please welcome
our 78 Secretary of the Navy , the
honorable Carlos Del Toro .
Good morning , Connecticut . It really
is a beautiful day , isn't it ?
Wouldn't you agree , madam ambassador ?
It's just like London isn't it ? And I
know that there are members of the
commissioning crew here from the Union
League in Chicago . I would think that
they would agree . This is more like a
summer day , right ? Awesome . Awesome
Admiral Caldwell . Let me begin by .
Thanking you , sir . And Mrs Caldwell
Kim , would you please stand up for one
second ? Yes ,
you , you , you both
have served our nation proudly for
these past years following in the
footsteps of Admiral Rickover . And I
couldn't help but notice that just for
a brief moment , the sun broke out and
shined when you got up here to begin
speaking . Admiral . And I'm confident
that that's Admiral Rickover looking
down at you and saying , thank you .
Thank you for the stewardship of his
program of our program of keeping all
these sailors safe for the many years
that you have served our nation . I
know that Admiral Rick over served for
a little bit over 30 years . If you'd
like to extend your tour of duty for 30
years . I don't know if this call is
going through some problems now , but
uh thank you both for your service to
our country . Ladies and gentlemen , we
are assembled here this morning to
honor this great man , Admiral Rickover .
And I will tell you that as a young
midshipman at the United States Naval
Academy coming into that grand
institution in 1979 . And as an
electoral engineer , I spent many a day
and night studying in rick overhaul .
Being inspired by this great man .
He was a Jewish American naval icon
and true American hero who overcame
significant personal and professional
adversity his entire life and never
faltered in his mission to provide the
navy and the country that he served for
63 years , 63 years . Just think
about that with a significant advantage
nuclear power . Admiral Rickover
through his service during World War
Two knew the pain and the suffering
caused by conflict probably better than
anyone else . And I also want to take a
brief moment to recognize his niece who
is here with us today . How about a
hand of applause
as we mark the commissioning of this
mighty submarine . Millions of members
of the Jewish faith have been plunged
into a world of war that Admiral Rick
over dedicated his life to deterring
days ago . The terrorist organization
Hamas launched a series of attacks
against the nation of Israel , killing
over 1000 people , including women ,
Children , infants and the elderly and
wounding thousands more . What's more
Americans ? We're also the victims in
these terrorist attacks . Once again ,
some of our countrymen remain missing ,
opening up the possibility that they
too are hostages of Hamas alongside
dozens of Israelis as the president of
the United States said , and I
reiterate here , we the United States
of America stand with Israel in the
face of this terrorist assault and
continue to support them in the defense
of their nation . And their people .
During this time of crisis , our Native
Marine Corps remains active throughout
the region and we stand ready to
respond to any and all tasking by
President Biden to deter other nations
from expanding this conflict . And
again , Madam ambassador , we thank you
for the support that the United Kingdom
is also providing in the Eastern
Mediterranean . And this includes , of
course the US S Gerald R . Ford CV N
78 which is underway today in the
Eastern Mediterranean on nuclear power
in the Mediterranean Sea with the rest
of the Ford carrier strike group , as
well as the US S Baton Amphibious
Readiness group with the 26 mu and
barked aboard them to echo us .
Secretary of State Lincoln , the United
States indeed has Israel's back during
this time of tragedy and will be
steadfast in support of our allies and
partners , Senator Reed , Senator
Blumenthal , Representative Courtney .
We couldn't have done it without you .
The support that the American people
provide to the representation of these
great men here up on stage has been
steadfast in making this reality
possible today . So we are indebted to
all three of you for your leadership in
the United States Senate and the United
States House of Representatives . We
thank you sir , on behalf of all
Americans .
Now , I wanna turn my attention to Mrs
Darlene Greener , the wife of a career
submariners and our 30th chief of naval
operations , Admiral Jonathan Greener ,
who today is Mrs Green's driver .
Thank you for your willingness to serve
as a sponsor of the Hyman G Rickover .
According to naval tradition , the ship
sponsors , Spirit and presence guides
it and its crew . As long as the ship
remains in service , we are honored
that you are with us today and that you
will forever be the connection between
this submarine , its crew and Admiral
Ricker's legacy of service and
contributions to our nation's
relationship with safe and efficient
nuclear power . Additionally , I wanna
say a special thanks to the
commissioning committee itself ,
chaired by Mr Bill Nissen for all their
work , getting us to this moment as
well as the city of Chicago where
Admiral Rickover emigrated to from
Poland for their tremendous support of
this crew . You simply could not have
done a better job . It is great to be
here in Groton known by many as the
submarine capital of the world , as was
stated earlier as we celebrate the
return of Rick over into service , a
true milestone for our fleet as Admiral
Caldwell mentioned moments earlier ,
the crew of Hyman Rickover and our
industry partners have worked
tirelessly over the past several years
to bring our nation's newest submarine
to life . We wouldn't be here today
without them . So how about let's have
all the shipbuilders who are in the
audiences or families of shipbuilders
to please get up and be recognized
now to commander Beach , Commander
Hubble , senior chief de Graf and the
officers and crew of Rickover . I know
the sense of pride that fills in your
hearts today and your eagerness to
bring this submarine to life and get
her underway again . Over 20 years ago ,
20 years ago , when I served as
commission commanding officer of the US
S Bulkley named in honor of another
famed admiral medal of honor recipient .
Vice admiral John Buckley , my crew and
I had the exact same feelings the world
that us s Bulkley sailed into shaped by
the aftermath of terrorist attacks
against our nation . On September 11th ,
2001 was not unlike the world that we
face today with a sense of uncertainty
as to what the future held for us . As
a crew today is no different in an Arab
strategic competition with the People's
Republic of China . We're supporting
our Ukrainian partners in the war
against Russia's illegal and unjust
violation of their national sovereignty ,
which has resulted in the targeting of
civilians in the deaths of Ukrainian
women and Children . And now , as I
mentioned earlier , we're supporting
our Israeli partners in the aftermath
of the brutal terrorist attacks against
their homeland . Our sailors and
marines face challenges around the
globe in every environment that we
operate in , from the seabed to the
stars as well as in the Cyber domain .
The Pr C Russia , Iran , North Korea
and others including non state . Actors
are committed to altering the rules
based international order that has
overseen 80 years of relative stability
and economic prosperity across the
globe . It's imperative that we , the
United States of America stand ready to
support Israel Ukraine as well as all
our international partners and allies
as we confront these common challenges .
And in order to do so , our nation
needs to maintain a strong joint force .
And the Navy and Marine Corps are the
foundation upon which the success of
that joint force exists . This
submarine before us and our naval fleet
supports not just the joint force but
indeed our nation by guaranteeing a
free and open maritime commons ,
enabling the unrestricted flow of trade
around the world . And for those of you
that get an Amazon package at your
front door every single day , I tell
you that last journey may have been by
truck , but I guarantee you it float
over the oceans . And so you have the
United States Navy and Marine Corps to
thank you for getting you that Amazon
package every single day to your front
doorstep . Think about the next time .
Uh they ring your doorbell . Now ,
Admiral Rick over knew firsthand from
his service during World War two that
we as a maritime nation must always
maintain a capable fleet to depend on
access to the seas . He also recognized
that we must develop unique approaches
to provide our fleet with unmanaged
advantages at sea as Senator Blumenthal
said , and that is exactly what Admiral
Rickover gave us by transforming our
submarine fleet into the most lethal
steadfast force our world has ever seen
through the adoption of nuclear power
for 63 years . Admiral Rickover was a
leader in our navy's overcoming
adversity and detractors in 1973 . When
he was promoted to the rank of admiral
by an act of Congress , it was
described as and I quote a unique
American whose indomitable drive
enabled us to achieve and develop our
invulnerable undersea , nuclear
deterrent , unquote that unique
undersea advantage that Admiral
Rickover envision was brought to life
at the commissioning of the US S
Nautilus in 1955 . And it continues on
today across several classes of nuclear
powered submarines . What's more
Admiral Rickover's work to incorporate
nuclear power into our fleet will soon
benefit our Australian allies through
the generational aus security agreement
that Admiral Caldwell mentioned ,
designed to promote peace and stability
throughout the Indo Pacific region in
closing now , while this submarine is
named for the father of our nuclear
navy , it is indeed a tribute to the
thousands of steel , men and steel
women who for the past 75 years have
dedicated their careers , their lives ,
the cause of safe , effective nuclear
power . The talented team at our naval
nuclear propulsion program is made up
of Americans from all walks of life ,
both uniformed and civilian government
and industry who work together day in
and day out to continue Admiral
Rickover's legacy to the crew of the US
S Hyman G . Rickover . I know that you
will represent your namesake with honor
wherever you may sail around the world
and will forever remain like Admiral
Rickover committed to Excellence . I
thank you again for joining us this
morning . And I again , thank the
American people for the trust and
confidence that they put in our sailors
and our marines . May God bless America .
Thank you .
Thank you , Secretary Del Toro . Sir .
I would be honored if you would now
place Hyman G Rickover in commission
commander , I order you to place Hyman
G . Rick over in commission place Hyman
G . Rick over in commission . Aye sir ,
on behalf of the president of the
United States , I hereby place United
States ship Hyman G Rickover in
commission . May God bless and guide
this warship and all who shall sail in
her executive officer
hoist the colors and commission P . Hi
sir .
Ship's company , Anton Chun ,
the commission pennant and professional
National Navies began to take form late
in the 17th century . All ships at that
time were sailing ships and it was
often difficult to tell a naval ship
from a merchantman . Navies began to
adopt long narrow pennants to be flown
by their ships at the main mast head to
distinguish themselves from merchant
ships . The commission pennant will fly
continuously until the ship is
decommissioned . Ladies and gentlemen ,
please rise .
I direct your attention to the ship's
sail as we hoist the colors and
commission P it
Quartermaster hoist the colors and
commission pin it . All right , sir .
Captain , the colors and commission
pennant are flying proudly over us . S
Hyman G Rickover . Very well .
Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated .
I will now read my orders from
Commander Navy military personnel
command to Commander Matthew Beach .
United States Navy subject viewers
order number 0419 of 1 October
2023 . When directed by reporting
senior detached from present duty and
report to pre commissioning unit .
Hyman G Rickover as perspective
commanding officer upon
commissioning of us . S Hyman G
Rickover report for duty as commanding
officer , Admiral Caldwell United
States ship Hyman G . Rickover is in
commission and I am in command . You're
welcome . Congratulations . Thank you ,
sir .
Executive officer set the first watch
aye aye sir forward March
officer of the deck , set the first
watch . All right , sir ,
the officer of the deck is the
commanding officer's direct
representative and while on watch is
responsible for the safety and smooth
operation of the ship . The long glass
is the traditional symbol of an officer
of the decks authority in a ship of the
line . We are honored to have
Lieutenant commander Neil Spillane ,
United States Navy , retired World War
two and Korean war veteran and friend
of Admiral Rickover with us today , he
will assist in setting the first watch
by passing the long glass to our first
ship's duty officer , Lieutenant Craig
Evans from Aztec , New Mexico . The
petty officer of the deck is machinist
mate second class Devin Cummins from
Marion Ohio . The top side century is
Yeoman seaman , apprentice Christopher
Kist from North Vernon Indiana . And
the boson mate of the watch is Boen
Mate , second class Thomas Mars the
second from Baton Rouge , Louisiana
set the watch on deck section . One
sir . The watch is set very well
forward . March
captain , the watch is set very
well .
The spirit of the United States Navy
warship is the embodiment of her
sponsor . Our sponsor , Miss Darlene
Greener is a lifelong champion of the
United States Navy blue jackets and
their families . Darlene christened
this ship right here in Groton on July
31st , 2021 and imbued this ship and
crew with her sense of devotion and
grace . Darlene .
I would be honored if you would give
the order to man our ship and bring her
to life .
Good morning .
How lucky am I to be
standing by these
wonderful , amazing submariners ?
I cannot feel any luckier than that
except to bring your attention
down the end of the pier to those
fine submariners . Can we please just
take a moment to show our appreciation
for their service ?
Let's make this breathe and I have
one request of all of you and those you
know is to take
my submarine sailors in your
hearts and keep them in your prayers .
However you pray , please help
them be strong because we know they
are brave and they
are selfless . So help me
keep their spirits strong , thank you .
Are we ready to do this ? All right ,
let's do this .
Um , I'm a wreck
officers and crew of the
Hyman US S Hyman G Rickover
man , our ship and bring
her to life .
Oh ,
like your ears .
Ladies and gentlemen , the crew of the
US S Hyman G Rickover salutes you .
We are proud to serve in America's Navy .
Hyman G Rickover . Ready too .
Ladies and gentlemen , please be seated .
Yeah ,
captain , the ship is manned and ready
very well
by Sam Houston United States ship Hyman
G . Rickover is manned and ready and I
report for duty . Thank you , sir .
Thank you , sir ,
Secretary Del Toro request permission
to break your flag , sir . Your flag ,
sir . Executive officer break the
flag of the Secretary of the Navy . Hi ,
a sir ,
quartermaster break the flag of the
Secretary of the Navy . All right , sir ,
captain , the flag of the Secretary of
the Navy is flying proudly over us . S
Hyman G Rickover very
well .
Ladies and gentlemen , Commander
Matthew Beach , United States Navy
commanding officer , us S Hyman G
Rickover
Rick over parade , rest ,
ladies and gentlemen , distinguished
guests , friends , family and shipmates .
We gather here on this historic
waterfront to celebrate a momentous
occasion . The commissioning of a ship
dedicated to a leader who reshaped our
sea service through an unrelenting 63
years of service in front of you today
on board this ship , the proud sailors
of the next generation . Hyman G
Rickover stand ready to continue this
legacy of excellence , guiding our ship
into harm's way and defending the
values that we hold dear to a
Caldwell Abel Houston and Amber Rucker .
I thank you for your leadership and the
opportunity to be here with you today .
Secretary Del Toro . Thank you for the
remark , sir . And I am honored by your
contributions to the events of this
week . So as I look back at this ship ,
I cannot help but be amazed by its
sheer might and effectiveness . The
submarine is a result of years of
meticulous planning and the
determination of countless individuals
from the architects who designed it to
the shipbuilders who crafted every inch
of its structure . This ship represents
the pinnacle of maritime technology . I
am proud to set sail on a ship that
operates with the unprecedented level
of stealth lethality and endurance
needed to fight and win . Today , we
also pay tribute to the dedicated
sailors who will serve aboard her .
They are the soul of this vessel and it
is there on we and dedication that will
bring this ship to life . They are the
ones , the ones you see in front of you
who will face the challenges of the sea
and protect our nation's interests
across the globe . Throughout the past
several years of construction , many of
these sailors have come and gone each
leaving their mark on this remarkable
vessel in particular , I salute the
efforts of Captain TJ Neel . Ricko's
first commanding officer and all of the
honorary plank owners who helped forge
this vessel into the marvel that it is
today to Bill Nissen and Jeff
Sachs of the Rick Over commissioning
committee , the Pritzker Military
Museum and the Union Union League Club
of Chicago . I sincerely appreciate
your support over the past several
years to our submarine veterans
including the thousands who served
aboard SSN 709 . I salute your service
to the commanding officers of our
former namesake ship . Many of which
are with us here today . I am honored
to serve in your footsteps and I will
strive to build upon the foundation of
excellence that you have laid to our
wonderful families both here and abroad ,
including my wife Bree and daughter
Abigail . A heartfelt . Thank you for
the love and support that underpins the
success of our crew . And we are also
blessed to have two outstanding
ombudsmen who tirelessly volunteer
their time to bridge the communications
between myself and the crew and the
ship is at sea . You're here with us
today . So please help me recognize
Miss Celeste Winters and MS Shelby
Bender . I thank you for your
commitment
to the numerous waterfront support
organizations that have faithfully
supported my team . Submarine squadrons ,
four and 12 Submarine Readiness
squadron , 32 , supervisor shipbuilding ,
the submarine base , New London and the
naval submarine school . You're
unwavering support of our team and
helping us achieve this milestone and
we simply could not have done it
without you . So , Mr Kevin Gray , my
ship's manager , Mr Josh Lee from the
thousands of shipbuilders who work
tirelessly to hone the steel . That is
this amazing warship . I thank you . It
is your team that sows the cloth of
freedom that protects our nation's
interests . And I'm honored to set sail
in such a remarkably constructed vessel
to our ship sponsor , Mr Arlene Greener
and her matron of honor , MS Sarah
mcnichol . Thank you for being with ,
with us here today as every sailor
knows , especially this sailor . It is
the support of our loved ones at home
that gives us the strength to endure
the hard sea . And this holds just as
true for our ship's sponsor as sailors
will come and go over the years . It is
our sponsor . It is you , Darlene who
remain the lifelong heart and soul of
this ship . And we are grateful for
your support , Darlene , your
contributions to our sailors and our
families over the past five years have
been nothing short of amazing . And I
look forward to strengthening the
special relationship for many years to
come . Thank you
to the crew of Hyman G Rickover . This
is your incredible moment . Take it for
what it is . It's incredible relish it .
You can smile now . They're really a
cop , you can smile . It's ok . All
right . Be proud of the excellence that
you have achieved . So before I close ,
I'd like to again remind my shipmates
that we've heard throughout some of the
magnificent speeches today . The source
of that excellence for which I and my
team continue to strive . Aber Rickover
was a pioneer , a Trailblazer and a
leader who set the highest standards
for our naval nuclear propulsion
program . While Averil Wo was prolific
in his thoughts on leadership . I'm
often reminded of the human principles
of existence that he held dear is a
responsibility , perseverance ,
creativity , courage , and an
unwavering commitment to excellence the
ship before you today embodies these
principles . It is a symbol of American
strength , technological advancement ,
and the determination to protect our
freedoms . It represents the continuity
of Avril Rickover's legacy , ensuring
that his vision endures for generations
to come a work ever once said that good
ideas are not adopted automatically ,
they must be driven into practice with
courageous patience . And so this ship
bearing his name , it's the embodiment
of a good idea , driven into practice
with courageous patience . It stands as
a testament to the courage required to
transform a concept into reality , the
crew serving aboard her both now and
for many years to come . Remember that
you now are entrusted with a great
responsibility uphold the legacy of
Admiral Rickover . May your service be
marked with honor and may you serve our
nation with the same unwavering
dedication that Avo Rickover
exemplified throughout his illustrious
career . So as we celebrate this
magnificent ship , let us remember the
tremendous responsibility that
underpins its keel . May Rick over
sailed . Pride and honor , illuminating
the path of peace in a world sometimes
darkened by uncertainty . May the
ship's presence inspire not just those
who serve aboard her , but all who lay
eyes upon her reminding us that even in
the face of adversity , it is the
pursuit of excellence that prepare that
prevails . And lastly , may
this gallant crew serve as a shining
example of what can be achieved when we
dare to dream , work tirelessly and
stand united in our commitment to
excellence . Thank you and may God
bless the US S Hyman G Rickover and all
who shall sail in her .
The mighty crew of Rickover would like
to salute you one more time . Rick over
attention . Who y'all
recover ? Uh We can do that
better one more . Who we recover ?
Will the guest please rise .
Chaplain mcgraw will deliver the
benediction .
Let us pray eternal
father strong to save as this
ceremony draws to a close and a life of
commissioned service begins . We ask
you to bless this ship and all who will
sail in her . May she be strong and
true worthy of her proud name and the
nation's trust , guide her and guard
her . We pray as she guards us ,
give wisdom to Commander Beach and all
who will command , help them to lead
with confidence and character , give
strength to all who will give life to
this submarine . May they ever show
grit and an unflagging commitment to
excellence ? Watch over their loved
ones while they stand to watch .
Grant this boat success in every
mission . May she sail in silence so
that all may hear the sound of peace
and prosperity and may she sail unseen
so that all may see the blessing of
freedom . May she bring calm
to troubled waters and come safe
home ? Amen .