USS Idaho, name of future nuclear powered submarine

GROTON, Conn. — The USS Idaho will be the first naval ship named after Idaho since the 1917s New Mexico-class battleship and already has its first commanding officer.

Commanding Officer, Nicholas Meyers, will assume command of the nuclear powered Virginia-class submarine.

Meyers highlights the command of USS Idaho as a pinnacle;e of his 18-year naval career.

“It’s an honor and privilege to lead the Idaho crew into preparations to take custody of the ship, take her out to sea and answer the nation’s call,” Meyers said. “As these milestones progress our mission is to be ready, both independently and as a team ready to fight if called upon.”

A keel-laying ceremony occurred on Aug. 24 at the Electric Boat’s hull fabrication facility in Quonset Point, RI. In attendance was the former Idaho Governor, Dirk Kempthorne.

Idaho’s namesake is the USS Idaho (BB 42), a historic WWII-era battleship named after the 43rd U.S. state; USS Idaho played a crucial role in the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II.

The first commissioned ship named after Idaho was in 1864, a steam-powered sloop that initially served as a hospital ship. The new submarine will be the fifth naval vessel named for the state.

The Idaho submarine will hold a crew of 135, three being native Idahoans; the crew is currently in training and are on track to begin nuclear propulsion training next.

Naval leadership plans to christen and commission the submarine in 2023.

According to Meyers, as the ship is being built, the crew will be training extensively to be warfighter ready and continue until the submarine is delivered to the United States Navy.

Meyers is a native of Maryland and is a career submariner with previous tours, including the USS Columbia, USS Alaska and USS Greeneville.

The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine will join submarine squadron four under the authority of commodore Captain Andrew Miller. Subron four is one of two submarine squadrons will be based out of Naval Submarine Base New London.

Northern Idaho has a long naval history dating to the Farragut naval training station during world war II.

The Acoustic Research Detachment operates and supports unique large scale Submarine Models, Test Ranges, and acoustic test facilities utilized in conducting Research, Development, Test & Evaluation of submarine acoustic stealth technology.

The technology developed in Idaho’s ARD will equip the USS Idaho and will have the latest technology featured in the nuclear-powered submarine.

Navy Veteran, representative of Disabled Americans Veterans Post 22, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3622 and American Legion Post 55, Ben Apo, believes the incorporation of Idaho’s historic naval history into the USS Idaho submarine helps to honor all Idaho medal of honor recipients, past and present.

“Submarines are versatile and operate either independently or with other naval assets, very much like the people of Idaho,” Apo said, “its an honor for Idaho to have a naval vessel bearing its name after the state.”

Apo is like many Idahoan veterans who feel an immense honor and acknowledgment for their sacrifice for the country with USS Idaho incorporating technology from local research facilities and honoring Idaho with the most advanced submarine.