Nearly six years after the keel laying the mighty USS Idaho was commissioned on April 25, 2026. Prior to the commissioning, the Idaho excelled at her sea trials and reactor exams, setting the stage for a great legacy.

There were several commissioning week events planned by the USS Idaho Commissioning Committee. These included a tour of the Submarine School trainers and a lunch on the pier with the crew.  During this lunch submarine veterans were able to tour parts of the boat, a great treat for those of us who had not seen a modern submarine. The commissioning committee had decked out the boat with images and links to Idaho. For example, crews mess had a long panoramic of the Sawtooths, while the corpsman’s shack was linked to Sun Valley in honor of the Navy using the Challenger Lodge as a convalescent hospital during WWII.

The berthing areas were each assigned an Idaho warrior, and a city related to that warrior. The boat included several “6 pack” berthing areas. These included three bunks on each side and a set of lockers between them with a door to isolate them from the passageway. The control room is more open without having periscopes passing through it. The Idaho uses a Universal Modular Mast which is electronic instead of the traditional glass and mirror arrangement. Sonar techs have also been moved into control along with fire control, increasing combat efficiency and communications. The boat is now driven by senior crewmen, a pilot and co-pilot using an aircraft style stick. These positions also fulfill the duties of the Diving Officer of the Watch.

Later that evening Outer Light Brewery hosted a gathering, giving everyone a chance to mingle with crew while enjoying great food and beer, including their version of SPUD (Special Purpose Underwater Drink) brew. Sockeye Brewing also brewed a version of SPUD brew using the same ingredients. The Victory Belles provided entertainment while the committee had collectables available for purchase.

Friday provided a good opportunity to see Groton area sites including the USSVI Groton clubhouse, the Submarine Force Museum and the WWII National Submarine Memorial. VIP donors attended the chairman’s banquet at the Mashantucket Pequot Museum, where actor Scott Glenn spoke about experience preparing for his role in Hunt for Red October.

 The main event happened Saturday and included the obligatory politician speeches followed by a flyover of IANG A-10’s before the sponsor gave the order to “Man the ship and bring her to life!” With that order the crew ran aboard the boat, and she became the newest warship in the United States Navy. Attendees were then treated to a reception on the pier with many Idaho companies providing their products to the delight of the crowd.