Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) joined high-ranking Navy officers and sailors today at U.S. Naval Weapons Station Earle in Middletown to commission the USS New Jersey—the branch’s newest submarine and the third naval vessel named after the state of New Jersey.

Rep. Chris Smith (R-Manchester) delivers remarks at the U.S. Naval Weapons Station Earle ceremony to commission the USS New Jersey on Saturday, September 14, 2024. “Today is a special day for the United States Navy and our country,” said Smith, who has represented three Navy installations during his tenure in Congress—including Naval Weapons Station Earle, Naval Air Warfare Center Trenton and Naval Air Engineering Station Lakehurst (now part of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst).

“Once again, a vessel named after the great state of New Jersey will take to sea flying the flag of the United States, venturing to the darkest depths of the ocean to protect the homeland, deter aggression, and safeguard the American way of life,” said Smith, the Dean of the New Jersey Congressional Delegation, who delivered remarks at the ceremony.

A highly advanced and lethal fast attack submarine, the USS New Jersey measures 377 feet long, weighs 7,800 tons, and can remain submerged under water for up to three months.

Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, noted that threats to U.S. national security are ubiquitous and said, “the importance of this submarine’s capability and decisiveness in battle cannot be overstated in a world with escalated existential threats from Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un and Iran.”

“Deployment of the USS New Jersey and other submarines—especially this Virgina class of nuclear-powered, cruise missile, fast-attack sub—provide the extra level of deterrence and long-range capability to dissuade our enemies,” said Smith.

“It’s not lost on us that this ceremony is taking place in the shadow of the Freedom Tower where 23 years ago this week, terrorists unleashed a deadly, coordinated attack on our country and everything we hold dear,” Smith said.

Smith—who recognized the significant contributions of Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, the submarine’s sponsor Dr. Susan DiMarco, and members of the Commissioning Committee who organized the special occasion—especially thanked the submarine’s skipper, Commander Steven Halle, and the crew who would serve in the years to come on the newly commissioned USS New Jersey.

“To the ‘Devils of the Deep,’ the USS New Jersey’s dedicated crew of plankowners—you represent the best America has to offer,” said Smith. “You have answered the nation’s call to serve at a time of distinct and present threat to the U.S. and our allies.”

“Know that the people of New Jersey and all Americans are grateful for your tenacity, courage and commitment to our nation, and your commitment to this vessel and its mission,” Smith added.