SECNAV Del Toro names future nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Miami (SSN 811) with Gloria Estefan as sponsor > United States Navy > display-pressreleases

The future USS Miami honors the city of Miami and the crews of three former Navy ships that bear that name.

“This shared history makes Miami one of the greatest cities in the world – and is emblematic of what makes this country the greatest country in the world,” said Del Toro. “Miami is a shining example of what happens when a city welcomes everyone seeking a better life.”

Along with the ship’s name, Minister Del Toro announced that international pop star Gloria Estefan will be the sponsor of the future USS Miami. In her role, Gloria Estefan will represent a lifelong relationship with the ship and crew.

“We are so grateful as citizens of this great country that you are all out there protecting and serving us all,” Gloria Estefan said to the approximately 1,500 Sailors and Marines who attended the kick-off concert hosted by entertainment icon Emilio Estefan became.

The city of Miami has been honored with three previous ships: a gunboat (1862-1865), a light cruiser (1942-1947) and a nuclear submarine (1990-2014).

In June 1862, the First Miami attacked enemy forces with rapid fire while Flag Officer David G. Farragut’s ships sailed past Confederate shore batteries at Vicksburg, Mississippi. In 1864, the gunboat’s crew supported Union troops ashore and fought the Confederate ironclad Albemarle at Plymouth, North Carolina.

In the Battle of Leyte Gulf in World War II, the Second Miami (CL 89) fought as part of Admiral William F. Halsey’s Third Fleet and helped sink the Japanese destroyer Nowaki on October 26, 1944. Two seaplane pilots operating out of Miami received the Distinguished Flying Cross for rescuing downed airmen in enemy waters. Miami received a total of 6 battle stars for operations in the Mariana Islands, Western Carolinas, Leyte Gulf, Luzon, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

The Third Miami (SSN 755) conducted cruise missile strikes during Operation Desert Fox in 1998 and again during Operation Allied Force in 1999.

Attack submarines are designed to search for and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; Project power on land with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Special Operation Forces (SOF); conducting intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions; supporting combat group operations; and get involved in the mine war.

Miami also has a maritime connection. The greater Miami area was formerly home to a seaplane base (1918–1920), a Naval Reserve air base (1931–1942), and a naval air station (1940–1958). The United States Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) has been headquartered in Miami-Dade County since 1997.

More information about attack submarines can be found here.

Read Secretary Del Toro’s full remarks online.