BISMARCK, N.D. — A delegation from North Dakota is traveling to Rhode Island this week for the keel-laying ceremony for the nuclear submarine being named for the state.
The ceremony for the USS North Dakota under construction is set for Friday. The Minot Daily News reports (http://bit.ly/Jwz2bI) that ship sponsor Katie Fowler will sign her initials on a section of the ship's hull and a welder will weld the initials. Fowler's husband is retired Navy Vice Adm. Jeff Fowler, a Bismarck native who is a former superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy.
Wefald says it will have a service life expectancy of 33 years.
USS North Dakota Committee Chairman Bob Wefald will lead the state delegation to the keel-laying ceremony.
The $2.6 billion submarine is to be commissioned in 2014. Wefald says it will have a service life expectancy of 33 years.
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Information from: Minot Daily News, minotdailynews.com">http://www.minotdailynews.com