The commander of Submarine Group Two says the USS Mississippi, the Navy's newest warship is due at the Port of Pascagoula May 25, a week before its commissioning ceremony.

Rear Adm. Rick Breckenridge was on the Gulf Coast Thursday to talk with local officials about the June 2 commissioning for the 377-foot-long Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine.

Breckenridge said he had toured Ingalls Shipbuilding, met with port officials and some of the key volunteers helping plan the events leading up to the commissioning.

Breckenridge calls the commissioning a "peak event" in the new submarine's life.

The submarine was christened at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Conn., Dec. 3, and has been through sea trials.

Click the link below to make a contribution to cover the commissioning costs.