2026
January 08, 2026
"Patrolling" Naval Submarine League's 43rd Annual Symposium & Industry Update
The Naval Submarine League invited the USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee to support their 8 January 2026 43rd Annual Symposium & Industry Update (ASIU) hosted in Carahsoft's Reston facility.
2025
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December 13, 2025
USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee Supports Wreaths Across America
On 13 December, members of the USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee supported Wreaths Across America. Committee volunteers joined Legionnaires from DC's National Defense Post 46, The American Legion, to remember and honor nearly 1,800 Veterans, from every American war, interred at the Historic Congressional Cemetery. This is the second year the Historic Congressional Cemetery participated in the national nonprofit Wreaths Across America’s yearlong mission to "Remember, Honor, Teach".
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September 19, 2025
DC-Based Business Leaders Tour USS Pasadena (SSN-752)
A group of DC based business leaders had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tour the USS PASADENA (SSN-752) and meet many of her Sailors on Friday, September 19. The tour provided business leaders the opportunity to learn about the mission of the Submarine Force before attendees were briefed on "their" submarine, the USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826), which is expected to commission in 2029.
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September 12, 2025
USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee members visit Mayor's Office for Veterans Affairs
USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee members, Bethany Klein, who also serves as the Executive Director, National Capital Council, Navy League of the United States, and Susan Chiaravalle met with Colonel Charlette Woodard, USA (ret), Director of the Mayor's Office for Veterans Affairs (MOVA) on 12 September 2025.
August 24, 2025
Navy’s Best Teams Up with One of IndyCar’s Best
Captain Heath Johnmeyer, Commanding Officer (CO), PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826), had the opportunity to represent the U.S. Navy and the District of Columbia at the Snap-On Milwaukee Mile 250 race.
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August 21, 2025
Supporting the Naval & Maritime Consortium's 4th Annual Boats, Burgers & Beer Event
Captain Heath Johnmeyer, Commanding Officer (CO), PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826), served as the Naval & Maritime Consortium's Guest Speaker during their 4th annual Boats, Burgers & Beer event. Attendees noted Captain Johnmeyer hit on a few "home run" topics, including an update on construction of the first-in-class, District of Columbia (SSBN-826). The CO was joined at the event by District of Columbia's Chief of the Boat (COB) Mark Shipley.
August 21, 2025
Washington Nationals Host the U.S. Navy for Navy Day
On August 21st, the Washington Nationals honored U.S. Navy Sailors from across the National Capital Region during Navy Day at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. As part of the Navy Day celebration, Senior Chief Jake Pendergrass, Chief Jessica Barnes, Petty Officers Shadiyd Fuller, Bradley Harbottle, Bailey McInnis, and Mikel Treece, some of the Sailors assigned to PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826), traveled from Groton, CT to DC to join members of the USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee -- Bethany Klein, Lauren Yancey, and Leo Cruz -- at Nationals Park.
July 23, 2025
Committee Members Tour PCU District of Columbia Construction and Meet with Crew Members
Eight USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee members were offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel -- on our own dime -- to General Dynamics Electric Boat's (GDEB) Quonset Point, RI and Groton, CT sites to tour construction of PCU District of Columbia and meet with Crew Members.
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June 17, 2025
SSBN-826 Commanding Officer Visits the Capitol Chapter of the Naval Submarine League
Captain Heath Johnmeyer, Commanding Officer PCU District of Columbia, spoke to the Capitol Chapter of the Naval Submarine League on 17 June, continuing his Community Engagement with the people of the District, SSBN-826's Namesake. CAPT Johnmeyer updated the attendees about the construction progress, platform capability and crew training.
May 15, 2025
First Official USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee Event
The USS District of Commissioning Committee and guests enjoyed a wonderful evening at the British Embassy for our first official Commissioning Committee event for the USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826)—the lead ship of the Columbia Class SSBN and future cornerstone of our nation’s sea-based strategic deterrent.
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April 11, 2025
PCU District of Columbia Crew Members Conduct First Namesake Visit
10 PCU District of Columbia Crew members visited DC as part of a community engagement initiative to honor the boat’s Namesake. Namesake visits provide an opportunity for Sailors to build relationships and develop strong ties between the submarine and the city Washingtonians call home.
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April 11, 2025
Final Propulsor Component for USS District of Columbia Delivered
The U.S. Navy’s Naval Foundry and Propeller Center (NFPC) delivered the final major propulsor component for the first Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), the future USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826), to General Dynamics-Electric Boat (GDEB) on April 8. GDEB accepted the component in Philadelphia and transported it to the shipyard in Groton, CT, where it arrived on April 10.
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April 09, 2025
USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826) "Patrols" Sea Air Space 2025
The USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee supported the Navy League of the United States Sea Air Space 2025 STEM Expo and April Conference and Exposition from April 6-9.
March 15, 2025
District of Columbia Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DC DAR) Deep Dive Dinner
Guest Speaker, RADM(Ret) David Goggins, USN, USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee Chairman, provided DC DAR members with an update on the construction of the first warship ever named for the District, our engagement with the Crew, and our Commissioning Committee efforts.
January 28, 2025
DC's American Legion Post 46 Speaking Engagement
On 28 January, members of the USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee had an opportunity to attend the National Defense American Legion Post #46, Department of the District of Columbia's monthly meeting at the Army Navy Club.
2024
December 13, 2024
Celebrating the 2024 Army-Navy Game
CAPT Heath Johnmeyer, Commanding Officer, PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) and members of the USS District of Columbia Committee brought our 50 ft inflatable submarine to celebrate the 2024 Army-Navy Game at the Official Army-Navy Block Party at The Yards Park.
November 14, 2024
USS District of Columbia Supports Navy Submarine League Event
The USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee attended the 13-14 November 2024 Naval Submarine League's Annual Symposium and Industry Update.
November 10, 2024
DC's 2024 Veterans Day Parade
Ms. Beth Klein, Executive Director, National Capital Council of the Navy League of the United States (NCCNL) and USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee joined Director Charlette Woodard, Mayor's Office of Veterans Affairs to march in the District of Columbia's Veterans Day Parade on November 10th to honor and recognize the District's Veterans for their service.
July 29, 2024
Commanding Officer Meets with Ship’s Sponsors
CAPT Heath Johnmeyer, Commanding Officer, PCU District of Columbia (SSBN-826) met with the Boat’s Sponsors, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington, DC.
February 23, 2024
CNO Tours Philly Naval Facilities for SSBN-826 Updates
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti tours Navy’s Compatibility Test Facility to see engineers test, operate, and maintain the first-of-its-kind Colombia-class integrated power system and propulsion plant electric distribution system.
January 10, 2024
SSBN-826 Stern Delivered
HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division delivered the first Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine stern to General Dynamics Electric Boat
2022
June 04, 2022
Keel Laying Held for USS District of Columbia
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), the Boat’s Sponsor and delegate to the House of Representative from the ship’s Namesake, attended the Keel Laying ceremony where her initials were welded onto a plate in a time-honored Milestone in the life of a ship.
June 02, 2022
SSBN-826 Named USS District of Columbia
The Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Carlos Del Toro announced that the first ship in the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) will be officially named USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826).
2020
August 26, 2020
First Casting for Columbia Class SSBN
The Naval Foundry and Propeller Center (NPPC) in Philadelphia, made the first casting for the Columbia-Class submarine. The Honorable James F. Guerts, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition, along with senior Navy leaders and congressional members, visited NPPC to see the historic event which represented one of the largest in American history weighing over 200,000 lbs. Guerts noted it was an “Awesome sight to see.”