DES MOINES, Iowa — The USS Iowa was commissioned in Connecticut on Saturday and here in Iowa service men and women gathered to watch the big event.

The USS Iowa submarine is the third vessel to be named for the corn state and will hold 140 crew members.

During the event Lieutenant Commander Scoot Carper, the ship’s executive officer, gave a speech saying this latest Virginia-class nuclear powered submarine is a bright spot in the Navy.

“She represents a revolution in submarine design, construction and mission capability. Brimming with cutting edge technology and advanced engineering. This vessel brings versatility and firepower to the fleet,” said Carper.

Also in attendance were Captain Gregory Coy, Commander Daryl Coudle, Rep. Marionette Miller-Meeks, and Governor Kim Reynolds. Reynolds says this ship represents the state in more ways than one.

“As an Iowan, it’s powerful to stand here with, this cutting-edge Virginia class submarine behind me as it prepares to begin it’s decades of service bearing the iconic name USS Iowa. Like that name, this vessel embodies American ingenuity, industrial might, which have so frequently been the means of winning wars, preserving peace, and defending freedom through the world.”

Back in Iowa, dozens of servicemen and women gathered at the Gold Star Musuem to watch the commissioning. Retired Naval Chief Petty Officer Jerry Luedtke, says Iowa has earned its third namesake vessel.

“Iowa has a deep-rooted naval history, naval veterans from Iowa, now in the form of a submarine, one of the most powerful in the world,” said Luedtke. “Iowa is really unique because she is the first submarine that has, from the start, female quarter built on it. She has 135 crew and 35 percent of that are female crew and officers.”

Learn more about the USS Iowa SSN 797 and its connections to Iowa on the website.