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WILMINGTON, N.C. (May 3, 2008) Fireworks illuminate the skies over Battleship North Carolina (BB 55) capping week long celebrations surrounding the commissioning the newest Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine USS North Carolina (SSN 777). North Carolina is the fourth Virginia-class submarine to be commissioned and the first major U.S. Navy combatant vessel class designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind. North Carolina will be homeported in Groton, Conn., as a member of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2ND Class Roadell Hickman (Released)