Our "Admiral" and the Arkansas First Lady

North Little Rock Mayor Patrick H. Hays and Arkansas First Lady Janet Huckabee were invited by the USS Newport-News Commanding Officer Max Weingart, CDR USN to ride the bridge of the SS750. They remained "on watch" until the Newport-News was tied up for disembarkment of guests. The fast attack nuclear sub then departed for a 2 week mission.

We wish this most wonderful crew of men, well, mostly boys really, the best of luck and safe passages. The entire Arkansas delegation was astonished at the pride and professionalism of these silent warriors of the oceans.

More photos of the day are posted below. (Photo by CDR Max Weingart)

It Was a Great Day Under the Sea!

On 28 April 2006, Mayor Patrick Hays, Arkansas First Lady Janet Huckabee, Museum Director Greg Zonner, AIMM Supporter and Contributor Scott McGeorge of Pine Bluff Sand and Gravel and Steve Nawojczyk of Mayor Hays' staff were treated to a once in a lifetime opportunity.

They were welcomed aboard the USS Newport-News (SSN 750) for a cruise off of the shores of Florida. They were treated to a full day of getting to meet these wonderful sailors and officers and diving to 600 feet. We also learned about a great exercise called "angles and dangles". Many of the crewmembers told us this was there favorite drill. Lunch was served with Sliders being the main course.

The above photos from top to bottom show: 1. First Lady Janet Huckabee presented CDR Max Weingart the commanding officer of the Newport-News with an Arkansas State Flag to be displayed in the crew's mess for all to see. Mayor Hays and LCDR Nowak look on. 2. Mayor Hays shows CDR Weingart a photo of Razorback. Scott McGeorge, 2nd from left and Mrs. Huckabee watch while Greg Zonner admires the Frigate used to board Newport-News. 3. Mayor Hays addresses the entire crew on the 1MC letting them know how grateful we are for the hard job they do. He presented XO Tilbrook with a city proclamation making April 28th the USS Newport-News Day in North Little Rock.

A Stunning Little Rock Skyline

AIMM's photographer, John C. Jones, snapped this great photo from the deck of Razorback. Come visit us in North Little Rock! 

Former Commanding Officer Visits USS Razorback

CAPT Glen R. Sears, USN (ret), was Commanding Officer of USS Razorback from April 1964 until March 1966. During his time aboard Razorback, then LCDR Sears participated in a West-Pac (or Western Pacific deployment) that including combat operations in Vietnam.

He and his family recently toured Razorback.

This is a picture of then-LCDR Sears and his 7-year old son, Glen R. Sears II, taken in July 1965 aboard the submarine tender USS Sperry in San Diego harbor just before Razorback departed on her West-Pac cruise:
This is a picture of CAPT Sears, USN (ret), his now-grown son CAPT Glen R. Sears II, USN, and CAPT Sears' 7-year old grandson:We were VERY pleased to host the Sears family on their visit.

A short video about CAPT Sears' visit will air on the "Joe Show" in the next week or so. When it is available, it will be posted here.

Virtual Tour Now on Website

As was recently posted, Barry Graf, a 13-year old student at North Heights Junior High School in Texarkana, AR, recently participated in the EAST Initiative (Environmental and Spatial Technology Initiative). The EAST Initiative awarded prizes to students who developed ways to use technology to better their communities.

Barry won First Place in the national virtual technology competition for his virtual tour of USS Razorback.

Download the virtual tour of USS Razorback here. (6.7MB File)

The free Quick Time Viewer is required to view the virtual tour. If you do not have Quick Time installed, you can download it here

AIMM is proud of Barry and would like to congratulate him on his win at the EAST Initiative and thank him for use of his Virtual Tour.

Happy Birthday USS Razorback!

From the deck log:

"At 1130 the U.S.S. Razorback was placed in commission and the colors hoisted. Lieutenant Commander A.M. BONTIER, Commanding Officer, accepted the ship from the Commandant Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H. and the watch was set."

This photograph shows LCDR Bontier reading his orders and officially taking command.
(US National Archives Photo)

Additional photos of the commissioning ceremony, including photos of the officers and crew, are available on the AIMM Website. We have a page set aside especially for photographs of the Commissioning.

Copies of the deck logs are also available by contacting AIMM directly.