CHAIRMAN'S CORNER
Update from the Chairman
1st Quarter 2026
In this update, I would like to focus on one of the most meaningful milestones in a ship’s life: the Christening Ceremony.
The Christening is the moment when a submarine is formally given her name and identity. It is the point at which a ship transitions from a complex engineering project into a United States warship with a spirit, a legacy, and a purpose. From that day forward, she is no longer just steel, systems, and technology—she becomes a living symbol of our Navy and our nation.
Traditionally, a Sponsor is chosen to represent the ship and her future crew. The Sponsor’s role is deeply personal and enduring. By breaking a bottle of champagne over the bow, the sponsor formally blesses the ship, wishing her strength, protection, and safe passage for all who will serve aboard. That bond between Sponsor and ship continues throughout the ship’s service life and reflects the Navy’s belief that every vessel has both character and soul.
For USS District of Columbia, the Christening carries special significance. As the lead ship of the Columbia class, she sets the tone for the entire class that will follow. Her performance, reliability, and operational excellence will define the standard for the future of our nation’s sea-based strategic deterrent. The Christening of this ship is therefore not only a celebration of one submarine, but a milestone for the long-term security of the United States.
This ceremony is also a powerful recognition of the thousands of men and women who have contributed to her construction. Engineers, designers, shipbuilders, program managers, and countless skilled tradespeople have invested years of effort and expertise to bring District of Columbia to life. Christening honors their craftsmanship and dedication, marking the moment when their work becomes a warship that will serve the nation.
Finally, the Christening connects us to generations of Sailors and shipbuilders who came before us. Every great ship in our Navy has passed through this moment. When District of Columbia is christened, she joins a proud lineage of vessels that have safeguarded freedom, preserved peace, and represented the very best of American resolve.
The Christening ceremony reminds us that while technology makes a ship capable, it is tradition, people, and purpose that make her enduring.
Fair winds and following seas!
The Christening is the moment when a submarine is formally given her name and identity. It is the point at which a ship transitions from a complex engineering project into a United States warship with a spirit, a legacy, and a purpose. From that day forward, she is no longer just steel, systems, and technology—she becomes a living symbol of our Navy and our nation.
Traditionally, a Sponsor is chosen to represent the ship and her future crew. The Sponsor’s role is deeply personal and enduring. By breaking a bottle of champagne over the bow, the sponsor formally blesses the ship, wishing her strength, protection, and safe passage for all who will serve aboard. That bond between Sponsor and ship continues throughout the ship’s service life and reflects the Navy’s belief that every vessel has both character and soul.
For USS District of Columbia, the Christening carries special significance. As the lead ship of the Columbia class, she sets the tone for the entire class that will follow. Her performance, reliability, and operational excellence will define the standard for the future of our nation’s sea-based strategic deterrent. The Christening of this ship is therefore not only a celebration of one submarine, but a milestone for the long-term security of the United States.
This ceremony is also a powerful recognition of the thousands of men and women who have contributed to her construction. Engineers, designers, shipbuilders, program managers, and countless skilled tradespeople have invested years of effort and expertise to bring District of Columbia to life. Christening honors their craftsmanship and dedication, marking the moment when their work becomes a warship that will serve the nation.
Finally, the Christening connects us to generations of Sailors and shipbuilders who came before us. Every great ship in our Navy has passed through this moment. When District of Columbia is christened, she joins a proud lineage of vessels that have safeguarded freedom, preserved peace, and represented the very best of American resolve.
The Christening ceremony reminds us that while technology makes a ship capable, it is tradition, people, and purpose that make her enduring.
Fair winds and following seas!
David Goggins
RADM (Ret) USN
Commissioning Committee Chairman
RADM (Ret) USN
Commissioning Committee Chairman