New submarine in finishing stages

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) - Officials with Huntington Ingalls Industries celebrated the final steps of the construction of submarine Minnesota (SSN 783) Thursday.

According to a news release, the milestone was celebrated with the ship's sponsor Ellen Roughead and her husband former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead along with 120 crew members.

"I would go anywhere for this crew," Roughead said. "They are terrific, and it's fun to see all of the progress that has been made, and its enormous progress. It's also my first time aboard."

The Minnesota is in its final stages at Newport News Shipbuilding and will be ready to deliver in the spring. It has been under construction for more than five years and will be soon go through several aggressive sea trials.

"This is an exciting step forward in bringing life to Minnesota," Newport News Shipbuilding Vice President of Submarines and Fleet Support Jim Hughes said. "While there is work yet to be done, we look forward to working even more closely with the crew as they continue to take ownership of this magnificent vessel."