Newport News Shipbuilding, A Division of HII

As 2024 and my time as a shipbuilder come to a close, I want to take a moment to thank every shipbuilder for their commitment to Newport News Shipbuilding, our mission in support of the US Navy, and to our community. I remain confident in the NNS team and its ability to serve our nation for generations to come. I wish you all a happy and safe holiday season! 

Thank you to all of the Newport News shipbuilders who give back and support our community in so many ways! Shipbuilders recently provided more than 27,500 meals for people who rely on the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank during our annual food drive. NNS employees also supported the Mayflower Marathon Food Drive, which is the foodbank’s biggest fundraiser of the year. Last month, shipbuilders participated in the American Heart Association’s Hampton Roads Heart Walk, raising more than $43,000 in support of heart health. I’m so proud of the shipbuilders who supported these recent efforts and other worthy causes throughout the year!

#ThrowbackThursday to moving remarks and an incredible swing at the Arkansas (#SSN800) christening ceremony at Newport News Shipbuilding last weekend! Carlotta Walls LaNier was chosen by her fellow ship’s sponsors and honorees from the Little Rock Nine to perform the traditional honor behalf of the entire group. Thank you to everyone who played a part in preparing SSN 800 for this milestone!

Newport News Shipbuilding hosted its first safety song contest in a decade this summer. When the votes were counted, NNS shipbuilder Nishae Falu was named the winner for her song titled “Safety First.” One of the contest prizes was this professionally produced music video that features Falu and fellow shipbuilders in locations across the shipyard. While the video is meant to entertain, the message behind it is serious. Designing, building and overhauling the nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines that defend America’s freedom is critical work. It is up to every shipbuilder to ensure they work safely and with first-time quality in mind.

On Saturday, Newport News Shipbuilding christened Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (#SSN800). The ship’s sponsors are members of the Little Rock Nine, a brave group of Black teenagers who integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. This video opened Saturday’s ceremony and includes comments from members of the Little Rock Nine and NNS shipbuilders. I hope you will take a moment to watch and learn what being connected to this US Navy submarine means to all to of them.

Today, we christened Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (#SSN800). The ship’s sponsors are the six women of the historic group known as the Little Rock Nine, the first African American students to attend all-white Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, during desegregation. We honored all nine members during the ceremony. Learn more about these incredible sponsors, and the christening tradition, here: https://lnkd.in/e5Cxm8dH

Visit HII.com/events/SSN800 for live and replay coverage of the Arkansas (#SSN800) christening ceremony at Newport News Shipbuilding. The US Navy submarine is the 27th boat of the Virginia class. During the event, Carlotta Walls LaNier – one of six ship’s sponsors – will break a bottle of American-made sparkling wine across Arkansas’ bow – officially naming the submarine as part of the time-honored ship christening tradition.

Newport News Shipbuilding is ready for a big celebration! Tomorrow, shipbuilders will christen Arkansas (#SSN800) – the US Navy's 27th Virginia-class submarine. The ceremony will honor shipbuilders, sailors and the ship’s sponsors – members of the Little Rock Nine who bravely integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1957. Join us at HII.com/events/SSN800 11 a.m. EST on Saturday, Dec. 7, for live coverage of the ceremony.

As we prepare to christen the newest US Navy vessel named Arkansas this weekend, let’s take a look back at the four previous ships that have honored the Natural State on this #ThrowbackThursday. The first Arkansas was a screw steamer that served as a supply ship for the Union during the Civil War. The second Arkansas (BM 7) was a monitor with a single-gun turret that was commissioned in 1902 and later renamed Ozark. The third Arkansas (BB 33) was a battleship that served in both world wars. It participated in the D-Day invasion and supported the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. The fourth Arkansas (CGN 41) was an NNS-built nuclear-powered guided-missile cruiser that joined the fleet in 1980. I invite you all to join us at HII.com/events/SSN800 at 11 a.m. EST Saturday, Dec. 7, for live coverage of the christening of Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (#SSN800).

HII announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of W International, a South Carolina-based complex metal fabricator. The manufacturing facility in Goose Creek, South Carolina, will operate within Newport News Shipbuilding, A Division of HII. The site will support the construction of nuclear-powered submarine and aircraft carrier modules and structures for US Navy programs. Substantially all current employees will be offered positions with HII to continue to work on site. Learn more about the state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities and skilled workforce who will join our team here: https://lnkd.in/epTTUjdz