US - Fund raising launched for submarine commissioning

PASCAGOULA, Miss. (AP) Gov. Phil Bryant and others have announced a campaign to raise $300,000 to help with costs associated with the commissioning of the USS Mississippi.

The groups involved in the commissioning say Monday that the money is needed to cover expenses for banquets and other events in conjunction with the June 2 commissioning on the east bank of the Pascagoula River.

The $2 billion USS Mississippi, a Virginia-class attack sub, was christened in December 2011 in Groton, Conn.

Organizers expect to see as many as 7,000 spectators for the event.

The Mississippi will carry torpedoes as well as Tomahawk missiles and have features including a torpedo room that can be refigured to hold Navy SEALs.

Ship commissioning is an act that places a ship into active service.