Secretary of the US Navy Carlos Del Toro unveiled the official designation for the forthcoming Virginia-class nuclear-powered attack submarine SSN 810, which will bear the name USS San Francisco.
Furthermore, Secretary Del Toro revealed that former House Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi has accepted the role of the ship’s sponsor, symbolizing her enduring commitment to maintain a lifelong connection with the vessel and its crew.
This represents the fourth ship dedicated to San Francisco. The initial vessel, a steel protected cruiser, played a role in the Spanish-American War and World War I.
The second ship, a distinguished heavy cruiser, earned recognition in significant World War II battles, garnering 17 Battle Stars, a Presidential Unit Citation, four Medals of Honor, and 32 Navy Crosses.
The third San Francisco, a Los Angeles-class nuclear submarine (SSN 711), completed numerous western Pacific deployments, earning awards like the Navy Unit Commendation and Navy Expeditionary Medal. It was decommissioned in 2022 and now serves as a moored training vessel in Charleston, South Carolina.
Submarines such as the upcoming USS San Francisco are crafted for the mission of locating and eliminating adversary submarines and surface vessels, delivering Tomahawk cruise missiles and Special Operation Forces (SOF) for onshore power projection, conducting Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) tasks, assisting in battle group operations, and participating in mine warfare.
