Commanding Officer of the USS West Virginia Chris Anklam shows Gov. Joe Manchin the view from sea.
Gov. Joe Manchin is greeted by the Gold crew during his visit on the USS West Virginia. The sea craft's Commanding Officer Chris Anklam gave the governor a tour of the vessel.
CHARLESTON -– Gov. Joe Manchin returned to West Virginia late Monday from a three-day visit on the USS West Virginia (SSBN-736).
The governor boarded the submarine at its homeport in Kings Bay, Ga. on Saturday afternoon, where he joined crew members and set out to sea. He returned to port Monday afternoon.
"The USS West Virginia crew is truly a remarkable group of individuals," Manchin said. "They are extremely talented and very committed to their mission and this country. They might not all be native West Virginians, but they are all West Virginians at heart. They serve our state and nation proudly."
The USS West Virginia (SSBN-736) is an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine -– a class of submarines that were specifically designed for extended deterrence patrols. The USS West Virginia has two crews, Blue and Gold, with each crew operating on a 100-day interval. The Blue crew was operating the sea craft during the governor's visit.
"I have met with several crew members of the USS West Virginia many times before, but to go to their location and watch them as they perform their job duties, it was an incredible experience," Manchin said. "I recognize their efforts and thank each one of them for welcoming me on board the sub."
The USS West Virginia is also the first submarine and the third U.S. Naval ship to bear the name of this state.
The USS West Virginia crew has participated in several events in West Virginia including parades and a visit to a children's home in Elkins.
This fall, several crew members are scheduled to volunteer in a Habitat for Humanity project in Charleston.