Future Crew of USS Indiana to Tour Indiana Packers

Visit to Showcase Manufacturing Heritage, Forge Ties with Ship’s Namesake

Future crew members of the USS Indiana—the first naval vessel to be named after the state in 70 years—will tour Indiana Packers Corporation on the morning of Tuesday, November 7, 2017, as part of the USS Indiana Commissioning Committee State Tour.

Part of a grand send-off, the tour is meant to demonstrate true Hoosier hospitality to the crew members of the USS Indiana and help them forge strong connections to their vessel’s namesake by introducing them to Indiana’s rich manufacturing, agricultural and military heritage.

In addition to touring the facility, USS Indiana crew members will be welcomed by a contingent of armed forces veterans from Indiana Packers.

“It’s truly an honor to be able to host these members of the crew of the USS Indiana at our production headquarters,” says Russ Yearwood, President of Indiana Packers. “We hope we can provide them with a memorable experience to take on board their ship—that in the ways that matter most, Hoosiers are just like them—generous and hardworking, quick to help and ready to serve.”

In tow with the crew will be a large replica of the USS Indiana for display. The actual vessel is a 377-foot-long, 36-foot-wide nuclear-powered submarine that weighs over 7,820 tons and is largely a product of Indiana manufacturing. More than 100 Indiana manufacturers contributed to making of the vessel.

A Virginia-class submarine, the USS Indiana is equipped with sophisticated surveillance technology and weaponry and designed for a broad spectrum of missions, including assisting NATO allies, gathering intelligence and deploying Navy SEALs to land for special ops.

Once launched, the submarine will circumnavigate the globe many times over the next 32 years—the operational lifetime of one load of nuclear fuel.