Miami’s maritime heritage has just welcomed a formidable new member to its historic fleet, as the U.S. Navy has announced the naming of a Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine SSN 811 as the USS Miami.

The announcement was made during the city’s inaugural Fleet Week by Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, who underscored the city’s shared history with the Navy and the embodiment of the American dream that Miami represents.

Gloria Estefan, the world-renowned singer with deep ties to Miami, has been chosen to sponsor the submarine, which honors not only the city but also the crews of three previous Navy vessels that bore its name.

Del Toro’s poignant statement during the ceremony highlighted Miami’s emblematic stature: “That shared history is what makes Miami one of the greatest cities on Earth—and emblematic of what makes this country the greatest country in the world. Miami is a shining example of what happens when a city welcomes all who come seeking a better life.”

Estefan, deeply connected to the military through her father, who served in the Army and fought in the Vietnam War, acknowledged the importance of the military’s role in protecting the country.

The Virginia-class submarines are a marvel of military technology, equipped to “seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships” and capable of projecting power ashore with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Special Operation Forces.

They play crucial roles in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions, support battle group operations, and engage in mine warfare. This particular vessel will be the tenth of its class outfitted with the Virginia Payload Module, enabling it to field an impressive array of up to 28 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles.

The USS Miami honors the valiant history of its namesake predecessors. The gunboat Miami saw action during the Civil War, including engagements in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and against the Confederate ironclad Albemarle in Plymouth, North Carolina. The light cruiser that bore the Miami name during World War II earned six battle stars for its service, taking part in significant battles such as Leyte Gulf and earning accolades for its crew, including two seaplane pilots who were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

The most recent Miami, a nuclear-powered submarine in service from 1990 to 2014, was actively engaged in cruise missile strikes during Operation Desert Fox and Operation Allied Force.

While Fleet Week celebrated this momentous addition to the Navy’s fleet, challenges concerning the readiness of existing amphibious ships were discussed at the Modern Day Marine symposium in Washington, D.C. Marine Corps and Navy officials addressed the urgent need for ship maintenance and readiness, with both services working toward an 80 percent readiness goal for the fleet of 31 L-class ships, comprised of amphibious transport docks and big-deck amphibious assault ships.

The Navy and Marine Corps are crafting long-term solutions, focusing on reaching a memorandum of understanding to uniformly define amphibious ship readiness requirements, amidst delays and technical problems that have affected deployments.

Secretary Del Toro and Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Eric Smith are aligned in their commitment to maintaining a robust and ready amphibious fleet, with Del Toro stressing the need for nine amphibious ships to be ready for any mission.

The amphibious readiness challenges have highlighted the importance of a well-maintained and modern fleet, as Marine Corps generals pointed out the wear and tear from over two decades of operations and the critical role of these ships in crisis response.

As the USS Miami prepares to join the fleet, it becomes a symbol of both Miami’s enduring legacy and the Navy’s forward-looking strategies to maintain a powerful and agile maritime force.

The new submarine stands as a testament to the city’s past, present, and future, proudly bearing the name of a city known for its vibrant culture, resilience, and openness to all who seek a new beginning.

Relevant articles:
– class Attack Sub USS Miami, Singer Gloria Estefan to be Sponsor, USNI News
– Navy Secretary announces nuclear-powered attack sub will be named USS Miami, Florida’s Voice
– Latina Badass Alert: Gloria Estefan Is Sponsoring a Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine, BELatina
– Term Fixes for Amphibious Warship Shortages, USNI News