The choice to call SSBN 826 is to alleviate any title conflicts with the already-commissioned USS Columbia (SSN 771). §10 U.S.C. 8662(a) states that not multiple vessel of the Navy might have the identical title.
The Columbia program was named in 2016 with the lead ship projected to enter service in 2027, consequently overlapping with the present USS Columbia (SSN 771). SSBN 826 will probably be named after the nation’s capital whereas SSN 771 is called after cities in South Carolina, Missouri, and Illinois named Columbia, following the naval custom of SSNs being named after U.S. cities.
“The District of Columbia is wealthy with naval historical past. The Washington Navy Yard is our oldest shore facility. Marines like Montford Level Marine Herman Darden and Brigadier Basic Anthony Henderson and Sailors like Yeoman Charlotte Louise Berry Winters and Medal of Honor Recipient First Class Fireman John Rush had been born and raised in D.C.,” mentioned Del Toro. “For this reason I desire to name D.C. not simply our nation’s capital, however as a substitute, our naval capital. The naming of the USS District of Columbia honors this.”
The longer term USS District of Columbia’s (SSBN 826) keel laying ceremony will happen on June 4, 2022 at Basic Dynamics Electrical Boat in Quonset Level, R.I. The ship’s sponsors are District of Columbia Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton and District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser.
