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Caption: 141010-N-LV331-001 PORTLAND, Ore. (Oct. 10, 2014) Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus unveils the future Virginia-class submarine USS Oregon (SSN 793) at the Battleship Oregon Memorial at Gov. Tom McCall Waterfront Park as Mayor of Portland Charlie Hales looks on. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Armando Gonzales/Released)

Story Number: NNS141010-15Release Date: 10/10/2014 3:26:00 PM

From Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs

PORTLAND, Ore. (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus hosted a ship-naming ceremony, Oct. 10, to announce that SSN 793, a Virginia-class attack submarine, will bear the name USS Oregon.

During a ceremony held at The Battleship Oregon Memorial in Tom McCall Waterfront Park, Mabus announced the submarine will be named to honor the long-standing history its namesake state has had with the Navy. Mabus also recognized USS Portland (LPD 27), which he named last year in honor of Oregon's largest city.

"Sailors and Marines, like the citizens of Oregon throughout history, are pioneers," said Mabus. "They are explorers who are looking willingly toward the unknown, wanting to know what is out over the horizon. As we sail deeper into the 21st century, it is time for another USS Portland and another USS Oregon, time to keep those storied names alive in our Navy and Marine Corps."

Mabus told the crowd SSN 793 will be the third naval ship to bear the name Oregon. The first was a battleship used in the late 1800s. The second was a battleship best known for its roles in the Spanish American War when it helped destroy Admiral Cervera's fleet and in the Philippine-American War; it performed blockade duty in Manila Bay and off Lingayen Gulf, served as a station ship, and aided in the capture of Vigan.

"Oregon holds a special place in the heart the Navy not just because of its long history here, but also because of shared values, those of environmental consciousness, community and heritage," Mabus said. "From our Navy and Marine Corps units who visit for the Rose Festival every year, to the former Sailors and Marines who make their homes here and carry on as community leaders and citizens. The partnership between Oregon and our Navy and Marine Corps is strong."

The next-generation attack submarines will provide the Navy with the capabilities required to maintain the nation's undersea supremacy well into the 21st century. They will have enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements that will enable them to meet the Navy's multi-mission requirements.

These submarines will have the capability to attack targets ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert, long-term surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea-based forces. Other missions include anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare; mine delivery and minefield mapping. They are also designed for special forces delivery and support.

Each Virginia-class submarine is 7,800-tons and 377 feet in length, has a beam of 34 feet, and can operate at more than 25 knots submerged. It is designed with a reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship, reducing lifecycle costs while increasing underway time. The submarine will be built in partnership with General Dynamics/Electric Boat Corp., and will be built by Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut.

USS Portland is part of the San Antonio-class of the landing platform dock ships. It will support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions by transporting and landing Marines, their equipment and supplies by conventional aircraft, helicopter or vertical take off and landing aircraft.

The landing platform dock is being constructed by Huntington Ingalls Industries with Raytheon Systems Corporation and Intergraph Corporation. It will be 684 feet in length, have a beam length of 105 feet and will be capable of operating at 22 knots.

Media may direct queries to the Navy Office of Information at 703-697-5342. For more news from secretary of the Navy public affairs, visit http://www.navy.mil/SECNAV .

For more information about the Virginia-class attack submarine, visit http://www.navy.mil/navydata/fact_display.asp?cid=4100&tid=100&ct