USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826) Back on "Patrol" at Sea Air Space 2026

Posted on April 22, 2026.
The USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee supported the Navy League of the United States' Sea Air Space 2026 Conference and Exposition from April 20-22.
Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao and his Jr. Military Aide, LCDR Jim Halsell, take a photo with Committee Member, CAPT(Ret) Joe Spruill, USN. We loved updating the Secretary on our Commissioning Committee's efforts!
Members of the USS District of Columbia Commissioning Committee members stood "watch" just outside the Prince George Exhibit Hall with our 50’ inflatable model of the USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826), which is one-eleventh the size of the actual submarine currently being built by General Dynamics Electric Boat. 
Committee member, Barb Witten, highlights our "Sea Air Space" special: take home a bottle of Tobacco Barn Distillery's "USS DC 2026 Reactor Reserve" 6-year bourbon by becoming a Plank Owner
Nine members of the Crew traveled down from Groton, CT to meet with attendees.
ITNC(SS/DV) Jessica French talks with Sea Air Space 2026 attendees
Special thanks to attendees who "Joined our Crew" by becoming a Plank Owner or Cherry Blossom Donor by buying a District of Columbia monument series challenge coin.
Isabel Torres takes home a USS DC Lincoln Monument challenge coin

Your gifts support our key goals to: (1) establish three endowed scholarships for the Blue and Gold Crews and/or their dependents as well as the students from DC, our Namesake; (2) inspire the next generation of shipbuilders and engineers through our STEM activities; (3) provide quality of life enhancements aboard USS District of Columbia; and, (4_ support Community Engagement and Commissioning Week activities.
Committee Member, CAPT(Ret) Joe Spruill, thanks our newest Plank Owner, Vago Muradian. Vago accepts our Sea Air Space 2026 special -- Tobacco Barn Distillery's "USS DC 2026 Reactor Reserve" 6-year bourbon

In addition to sharing information about the USS District of Columbia and our Commissioning Committee efforts, our Committee members happily served as amateur photographers for attendees desiring a photo in front of our sub.   
CAPT(Ret) Paul Siegrist and ADM(Ret) James "Frank" Caldwell, Jr., former Director, Naval Reactors, stop by to take a photo with Committee member, CAPT(Ret) Joe Spruill
Thanks to everyone attending Sea Air Space 2026 who stopped by our booth. We loved sharing a little information with you about the USS District of Columbia, her incredible Crew, as well as our Commissioning Committee activities.

If we took a photo and/or selfie for you, we hope you'll post, tag us, and/or spread the word!  
USNA '83 Classmates, CAPT Joe Spruill and RADM(Ret) Jon Yuen), former NAVSUP/Chief of the Supply Corps, pause for a selfie with the USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826)


If you missed us this year, please check our Upcoming Events page for future opportunities to see our USS District of Columbia inflatable submarine and/or working model, and more importantly meet the incredibly smart, talented, and hard-working Crew members who will operate the largest, stealthiest, most advanced submarine in the world! 

Committee Members, the Honorable Erik Raven, former Under Secretary of the Navy, and CAPT(Ret) Joe Spruill, share their passion for our Navy's number one aquisition priority, the USS District of Columbia (SSBN-826)

Don't forget to put Sea Air Space 2027 (4-7 April, 2027) on your calendars as we fully expect to be back on "patrol" next year!


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