USS Mississippi to arrive in Pascagoula

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (WALA) - The U.S. Navy’s newest ballistic submarine, USS Mississippi (SSN 782) will arrive in Pascagoula around noon on Friday, May 25, 2012, for commissioning here on June 2.

Members of the local Host Committee, including Pascagoula Mayor Robbie Maxwell and Jackson County District Three Supervisor Mike Mangum, will greet the ship and crew upon their arrival at the Port of Pascagoula facilities on the west bank of the Pascagoula River.

The public is invited and encouraged to come to the Pascagoula Riverfront area near the new downtown parking garage to welcome USS Mississippi “home”.

Spectators will be able to view the submarine as it docks across the river at the Port of Pascagoula. Mementos such as photos and flags will be distributed.

Parking for spectators of the arrival and the commissioning will be available at the west end of DuPont Avenue.

SSN 782 is the fifth US Navy vessel to be named USS Mississippi. Its naming recognizes our state’s long-standing tradition of shipbuilding in support of our nation’sdefense.

It also honors the spirit of the people of Mississippi who have made great strides in recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.