Observing USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) Day August 24, 2024

Wisconsin Inflatable Submarine 827 (WIS 827) rests high at The Highground

 Neillsville, WI (August 24, 2024) – In anticipation of USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) Day, a group of veterans and citizens gathered at The Highground to read Governor Evers’ proclamation.  Along with them, the USS Wisconsin SSBN 827 Association’s 50-foot inflatable replica of the future USS Wisconsin, fondly known as WIS 827, was displayed overlooking Wisconsin at The Highground Veterans Memorial Park. 

 “Connecting the future submarine WISCONSIN with the citizens of Wisconsin is our goal,” said CAPT Jim Harvey, USN (ret), President of USS Wisconsin SSBN 827 Association. “The Highground Veterans Memorial Park whose mission is to ‘Honor, Educate and Heal, our Veterans,’ is a most beautiful setting and central to all in Wisconsin – and we thank them for allowing WIS 827 to visit and supporting all veterans.”

“NOW, THEREFORE, I, Tony Evers, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, do hereby proclaim August 27, 2024 as USS WISCONSIN (SSBN 827) DAY throughout the State of Wisconsin and I commend this observance across our state and to all our state’s residents, and request a “Minute of Recognition” on August 27, 2024, at 8:27 a.m., or 0827 military time, in acknowledgement.”

SSBN 827 is a ballistic missile submarine, under construction with anticipated Keel Laying Ceremony in 2025, and scheduled to join the fleet in the early 2030s as the second boat of the Columbia Class submarines. She will be the third United States Navy vessel named after the Badger State. The previous two were battleships that served collectively during World War I, World War II, Korea, the Cold War, and the Persian Gulf War.  Other Navy ships are named for cities in Wisconsin, including USS Green Bay (LPD 20) homeported in San Diego, CA, the future USS Beloit (LCS 29) and USS Milwaukee (LCS-5).

Wisconsin Inflatable Submarine 827 is an 1/11 scale model of the future USS Wisconsin submarine and was built using scaled down specifications of the actual submarine’s design.  “She might not have 16 ballistic missiles or a crew of 155 Sailors, but WIS 827 is a perfect representation of the future submarine and a very physical reminder to the citizens of Wisconsin of the great honor bestowed on our state with the naming of the USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827).”

Make it stand out

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

About the USS Wisconsin Association

To help support the exceptional men and women who will one day operate and maintain the future nuclear- powered ballistic missile submarine, USS Wisconsin, a group of Navy Veterans and Wisconsinites formed a tax exempt, not-for-profit organization incorporated in the State of Wisconsin in 2021. Their mission is to build and maintain a proud and active relationship with the citizens of Wisconsin and the Blue and Gold crews and families of SSBN 827 Wisconsin. Their objectives include:

• Encourage, advocate, and generate statewide support for the future USS Wisconsin (SSBN 827) throughout the life of this submarine and to educate the citizens of Wisconsin about their namesake submarine.

• Support the morale, well-being and recreation of the Blue and Gold crews and their families.

• Educate the crews about the beauty of Wisconsin and the heritage of previous vessels commissioned as USS Wisconsin.

• Support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education for Wisconsin students by applying nuclear submarine operation principles as a focal point.

Additional information about the USS Wisconsin SSBN 827 Association can be found at www.usswisconsinsub.org.