Sailors from USS Minnesota Visit Namesake State

 

Five Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Minnesota (SSN 783) Sailors are visiting their namesake state to bring awareness about the Navy, and its newest Virginia-class submarine, Oct. 12 – 15.

During their four-day visit to the land of 10,000 lakes, the Sailors will participate in myriad events around the state.

The crew is excited to be back in Minnesota raising awareness about the Virginia Class Submarine, PCU Minnesota, which is now under construction at Huntington Ingalls Industries – Newport News,” said Cmdr. John Fancher, commanding officer, PCU Minnesota.

In August 2011, Fancher and several crew members visited Minnesota to officially kick off a contest for students to design a logo for the boat.

“This visit allows the crew to continue to pitch the State’s high school and college students to submit an entry to the ship’s logo contest, sponsored by the Twin Cities Council, Navy League of the United States. The deadline for submitting an entry is November 1 and the winner is expected to be announced in December,” said Fancher.

During their visit the Sailors will meet with 50 students from Olson Middle School who are developing a logo for the contest.

The Sailors will also visit Bloomington Jefferson High School to meet with students taking history, science and math classes,” said Fancher.

Other students from Coon Rapids High School will meet Sailors who will review their completed entries for the PCU Minnesota logo contest.

Sailors will also man the rails at the St. Michael’s Albertville High School football game and participating in a local 5k race. They will cap off their trip at the Navy League’s Navy Birthday ball.

The logo contest will provide an opportunity for students, ages 16-22, to win a college scholarship, if their logo is selected. The winning logo, selected by the submarine’s crewmembers, will be used as the primary insignia for the submarine.

Under construction and planned for delivery in 2013, Minnesota will be the 10th of a projected class of 30 Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarines.

In 2008, the Navy announced it would name this 10th submarine for the state of Minnesota. The selection of Minnesota honors the state’s citizens and their continued support to the nation’s military.

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Source: navy, October 17, 2011