USS District of Columbia "Patrols" SIBC Supplier Days

The USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee was proud to support the Submarine Industrial Base Council (SIBC) with our STEM model during their 35th annual Supplier Days. We appreciated the opportunity to connect with so many of the amazing Suppliers from across our nation who are building critical parts for the USS District of Columbia.

SIBC Supplier Days attendees had an opportunity to hear updates from key U.S. Navy and shipbuilder leaders on current shipbuilding progress as well as future plans for major submarine programs.

USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee Chair, retired Admiral David Goggins, and Committee Members, Bethany Klein and Susan Chiaravalle, enjoyed meeting many of the Columbia Class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) Program Suppliers who stopped by our table.  Learning a little about the incredible work their companies do on behalf of the program, especially which "parts" on our model their companies build, was a highlight of our day.  We enjoyed the opportunity to demonstrate our model and also to share the activities and efforts of our Commissioning Committee on behalf of today's as well as future USS District of Columbia Sailors.

After providing his Columbia Program Update to SIBC Supplier Day attendees, we had a chance to reconnect with Captain Keith Oswald, PMS 397, Columbia Class Program Manager. 

The Columbia Class SSBN is the most advanced deterrent platform ever produced by the United States.  It remains the #1 priority of the Department.  The Columbia Class program will deliver a minimum of 12 submarines into the Fleet, replacing the current Ohio Class SSBNs and providing persistent strategic deterrence into the 2080s.  In October 2020, construction began on the USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826), the lead hull of the class, which is over 66% complete.  Progress continues in earnest on the next two hulls of the class, which are over 34% and 9% complete, respectively.

Established in 1992, the Submarine Industrial Base Council seeks to educate policymakers and the public about the need to preserve the strength of the U.S. submarine force and promote the value of the submarine industrial base as a vital part of our national security.

SIBC membership is open to the more than 5,000 U.S. companies that provide critical materials to the U.S. submarine programs under development or in production. Member businesses range from the smallest specialty shops to manufacturers of main propulsion equipment.  Thanks, too, to everyone at SIBC for an incredible day!