SUBS: Idaho has a deep history

Thanks to Mr. Albright for his informative article on the origin and development of submarines.

I’d like to add a brief post script to his thorough discussion — namely that Idaho has a long and rich history supporting the Navy’s submarines. One of the newest Virginia class submarines currently under construction is named the USS IDAHO, SSN 799. The hull shape and all the quieting developments for this class were tested, evaluated and improved upon at the Navy’s Acoustic Research Detachment on Lake Pend Oreille. As many North Idaho residents know, the Detachment is the remnant of the Farragut Naval Training Center where nearly 300,000 recruits were training during World War II, now Farragut State Park.

In addition, the nuclear reactor designs for all U.S. Navy submarines were tested at the Idaho National Lab site near Arco. Arco, by the way, was the first town in the world to be provided electricity from nuclear power.

For more information about the USS Idaho, please see www.ssn799.org.

HENRY NETZER

Captain, USNR (Ret)

USS Idaho Commissioning Foundation

Hayden