Commissioning of USS Virginia Ushers in New Era of Undersea WarfareStory Number: NNS041025-09Release Date: 10/25/2004 6:10:00 PMBy Chief Journalist (SW/AW) Mark O. Piggott, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public AffairsNORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The first nuclear-powered Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, USS Virginia (SSN 774), was commissioned Oct. 23 at Norfolk Naval Station here. Commander, Naval Submarine Forces, Vice Adm. Charles L. Munns gave the order to commission the ship. “Capt. Kern, you and your men have much to be proud of, but also more work to do,” Munns said. “You must steer Virginia around this dangerous and uncertain world....