About USS Illinois (SSN 786)

The Virginia-class attack submarine USS Illinois (SSN 786) was commissioned during a ceremony at Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, Oct. 29, 2016

USS Illinois (SSN 786) is a Virginia-class attack submarine and is named after the 21st state added to the Union.

The submarine is the first Navy vessel named for the state since the battleship Illinois (BB 7) was commissioned in 1901. The first USS Illinois was a battleship and was part of President Theodore Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet that circumnavigated the world in 1907, introducing America as a global power.

Former First Lady of the United States and Illinois native, Michelle Obama is the ship’s sponsor and was in attendance for the commissioning.