About The USS Utah
SSN Primary Missions
- To seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships
- Project power ashore with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Special Operations forces, Carry out Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance missions
- Support carrier battle group operations; and engage in naval mine warfare.
Virginia class submarines are named after states. Formerly, battleships of the US Navy were named after states (USS Utah BB-31, sunk during 1941 Pearl Harbor Attack).
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USS UTAH Crew
Ship Commanding Officer CDR. Christopher Hornung
CDR. Christopher Hornung, a native of Hauppauge, New York, received his commission through the seaman to admiral program upon completion of bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from the State University New York Maritime College in 2007. He earned his Master in Arts in Strategic Studies at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.
At sea, Hornung’s assignments include service as a division officer aboard USS MEMPHIS (SSN 691) where he completed combined deployments to the U.S. European and Central Commands; weapons officer aboard USS NEWPORT NEWS (SSN-750) where he completed a deployment to the U.S. Central Command; and as executive officer aboard USS FLORIDA BLUEA (SSGN-728B) where he completed a deployment to the U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility.
Ashore, Hornung has served at Naval Submarine School as a tactics instructor and Submarine Squadron Four (CSS-4) as the operations officer and most recently as executive officer of Naval Submarine School in Groton, Connecticut, from February 2022 to December 2023.
His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as other unit awards earned by the superb people with whom he has served.
He lives in Ledyard, Connecticut with his wonderful wife Jaclyn and their two children Alex and Emelia.
Upcoming Events
It’s been a busy few days in Groton! Members of the USS Utah Commissioning Committee joined the crew of the USS Utah (SSN-801), submarine veterans and others at a variety of events! Thanks to Kurt Delaney at Outer Lights Brewery, Long Point Hall, Navy SubVets and so many others who welcomed us into their community […]
Christening events for the USS Utah begin Thursday, October 23, in Groton. We look forward to seeing you there! Christening Event Schedule – Final v7
The USS Utah christening will be broadcast live to the Utah State Capitol on Saturday, October 25, 2025 beginning at 7:30 a.m. The event will be held inside the east entrance, in the Presentation Room. If you can’t make it to Groton, join us at the Capitol!
Lt Nathaniel Walko, Senior Chief Dan Miller, MMN1 Wesley Bartholomew, and SSSN Kameron Smith represented the USS Utah during the Day’s of ’47. While here they participated in the Pioneer Day parade, visited the Utah Governor’s office, met with business and community leaders, were introduced at a Salt Lake Bees game and Real Salt Lake […]
Crew members of the USS Utah will celebrate Pioneer Days during their visit in July 2025. They are special guests of the Salt Lake Bees, Real Utah and the Days of 47 rodeo. Watch for them riding the submarine float with Utah’s submarine veterans during the Days of 47 Parade!
Christening for the USS Utah (SSN-801) will be held October 25, 10:00 Eastern Time, at the Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, Connecticut. Watch parties will be held around Utah for those who are unable to travel to the east coast. Those traveling are responsible for all travel costs. Click here for more information.
The USS Utah Memorial Sunset Ceremony held every year on December 6th honors the loss of the USS Utah (AG-16) and 58 of her crew
There are currently no upcoming events. Check back soon!
Recent News
The story of the 2 USS Utahs: Honoring the past while celebrating the future The USS Utah battleship was sunk at Pearl Harbor, but last month, a new USS Utah submarine was christened Published: Nov 10, 2025, 12:44 p.m. MST By Caitlin Keith Caitlin is a general assignment reporter with the Politics and the West […]
There were many stories over the last week about the USS-Utah christening. Here’s a partial list, let us know if you aware of others! KSL-TV https://ksltv.com/local-news/newest-submarine-uss-utah/823393/ KSTU-Fox13 https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/uss-utah-to-be-christened-as-newest-submarine-in-naval-fleet#google_vignette (This was also on FOX national news Special Report during, “Beyond the Beltway” segment.) & https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/northern-utah/veterans-reflect-on-what-the-uss-utah-meant-to-them-on-eve-of-christening#google_vignette https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fo4rFgqiC4 KTVX – ABC4Utah https://youtu.be/FA5xB6e7i3A?si=eA8MCfJ5xH0Rvvw0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FA5xB6e7i3A https://www.abc4.com/news/local-news/uss-utah-submarine-christening-connecticut/ KSL News Radio https://kslnewsradio.com/utah/the-us-navy-prepares-to-christen-the-uss-utah/2255462/ KSL […]
It’s been a busy few days in Groton! Members of the USS Utah Commissioning Committee joined the crew of the USS Utah (SSN-801), submarine veterans and others at a variety of events! Thanks to Kurt Delaney at Outer Lights Brewery, Long Point Hall, Navy SubVets and so many others who welcomed us into their community […]
BY JOE WIRTHLIN KSLTV.com SALT LAKE CITY — The U.S. Navy’s newest Virginia-class submarine will be christened the USS Utah (SSN-801) in Groton, Connecticut on Oct. 25. Approximately 3,000 people were invited to the christening, according to the USS Utah Commissioning Committee. Read the rest of the story here: https://ksltv.com/local-news/newest-submarine-uss-utah/823393/
Lt Nathaniel Walko, Senior Chief Dan Miller, MMN1 Wesley Bartholomew, and SSSN Kameron Smith represented the USS Utah during the Day’s of ’47. While here they participated in the Pioneer Day parade, visited the Utah Governor’s office, met with business and community leaders, were introduced at a Salt Lake Bees game and Real Salt Lake […]
Crew members of the USS Utah will celebrate Pioneer Days during their visit in July 2025. They are special guests of the Salt Lake Bees, Real Utah and the Days of 47 rodeo. Watch for them riding the submarine float with Utah’s submarine veterans during the Days of 47 Parade!
Follow the PCU UTAH SSN 801 Crew on Facebook here.
Documentary on the USS Montana – and the Treasure State’s long history with the U.S. Navy – will air on February 22 Montanans across the state will soon be able to watch a fascinating documentary about the nuclear-powered fast attack submarine USS MONTANA and our landlocked state’s ironic relationship with the U.S. Navy for more […]