The USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee supported the Navy League of the United States Sea Air Space 2025 (https://seaairspace.org/) STEM Expo and April Conference and Exposition from April 6-9.
During the STEM Expo, the USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826) working model conducted her first “patrol.” Former Submariners and current NAVSEA employees, Mr. Dow Rogers and Mr. Alex Yantis, built and “operated” the USS District of Columbia on behalf of the Commissioning Committee.
The USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826) is the first of 12 Columbia-class ballistic missile submarines being built to replace the aging Ohio Class SSBNs. SSBNs form one leg of the U.S. strategic nuclear deterrent force, or “Triad,” which also includes land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles and land-based long-range bombers. Virtually undetectable while on patrol, SSBNs are the most survivable leg of the Triad. Superior acoustical performance and state-of-the-art sensors also make the Columbia Class–the Navy’s number one priority program–the quietest, stealthiest and most capable submarine ever built by the United States. At a length of 560 feet and displacing 20,810 tons, the Columbia Class SSBN will also be the largest submarine ever built by the United States. Following Commissioning, the USS District of Columbia will provide the continuous sea-based strategic nuclear deterrence critical to our national security, which began in 1960 with the initial deployment of the first ballistic missile submarine, USS George Washington (SSBN-598). This is the first submarine and Class ever named for the District of Columbia.
Mr. Alex Yantis, USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee, launches “ballistic missiles” (simulated using green nerf darts) during SAS2025 STEM Expo to demonstrate SSBN-826’s mission for students and their parents from the DMV.
Hundreds of students from the DMV stopped by the USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee booth to learn more about the first warship ever named for the District of Columbia as well as learn how submarines operate through our working model of the future USS District of Columbia. Dow and Alex demonstrated how a submarine operates by raising and lowering periscopes, moving water fore and aft, operating the fairwater planes, noting the “steam” from the diesel engines to discuss the three power sources onboard, opening and closing missile hatches, before demonstrating the mission of the USS District of Columbia by launching her “ballistic missiles” (simulated by nerf darts) on the President’s order (role played by one of the students).
After walking students through how a submarine operates, Mr. Dow Rogers, ends his talk with a demonstration of “ballistic missile” firings to illustrate the strategic deterrence mission of Columbia Class SSBNs.
Committee member Susan Chiaravalle spoke with parents about the efforts of the Commissioning Committee while handing out USS DC submarine-shaped stress balls to students and collecting expended “missiles” for reuse. The detailed questions and engaged interest from the students impressed our Commissioning Committee members; we suspect there’s at least one future USS District of Columbia Sailor who stopped by our booth!
Monday through Wednesday, USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee members could be found just outside the Prince George Exhibit Hall with our 50’ inflatable model of the USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826) to support the Navy League’s Sea Air Space 2025 (SAS2025) Conference and Exhibition. The model is one-eleventh the size of the actual submarine currently being built by General Dynamics Electric Boat. SAS2025, the premier maritime exposition in the United States, hosts approximately 15,000 attendees including 59 international delegations over the three-day event.
USNA Class of 1983 classmates enjoy a group photo with Navy League of the United States leadership, Chief Executive Officer Mike Stevens, 13th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, and 52nd National President Chris “Towney” Townsend, in front of the USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826) 50’ inflatable. Classmates include: VADM(ret) Joe Tofalo, former Commander Submarine Forces, CAPT(ret) Stephen Fischer, Executive Director, the Navy Submarine League, CAPT(ret) Joe Spruill, SC, USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee Chief of Logistics
SAS2025 conference attendees who stopped by our booth on Tuesday and Wednesday, also had an opportunity to talk to 10 future USS District of Columbia Crew members who’d traveled down from Groton, CT about their training as well as the construction of the boat. Committee members shared a little bit about the USS District of Columbia and our Commissioning Committee efforts as well as serving as amateur photographers for attendees.
USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee members, Susan Chiaravalle and Joe Spruill, join PCU District of Columbia Crew members (left to right) ETN2(SS) Joshua Moline, Reactor Control Division, LTJG James O’Hara, MPA, CSSCM(S) Mark Shipley, Chief of the Boat, and LCDR Peter Roemer, Engineer Officer in front of our 50’ inflatable USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826) which is 1/11th the size of the actual sub being built!
For those attending the SAS2025 Conference and Exposition, we hope you enjoyed taking a selfie with our inflatable, meeting a few members of the Crew and learning about our Commissioning activities and how you can help!
If you missed us during Sea Air Space 2025, please watch our Upcoming Events page (https://www.ussdc.org/events) for future opportunities to see our inflatable or working model of the USS District of Columbia, and more importantly meet the incredibly smart, talented, and hard-working Crew members who will operate the most advanced submarine in the world.
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