First lady to christen submarine at Connecticut shipyard

GROTON, Conn. — First lady Michelle Obama is visiting Connecticut this weekend to christen a submarine named after her home state.

Obama is the sponsor of the attack submarine that will become the USS Illinois.

At the ceremony Saturday morning at the Groton shipyard of Navy contractor Electric Boat, Obama is expected to deliver remarks and christen the submarine by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine against its hull. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus is also expected to speak at the ceremony.

The first lady previously participated in the keel laying of the submarine in May 2014.

The Illinois is the 13th in the Virginia class of submarines, designed to carry out a range of missions including launching missiles, conducting surveillance and delivering special forces.

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