Four Perch Base USSVI members (Dave Heighway, Chris Gahan, Bob Gilmore & Joe Trotter) participated in a "Meet and Greet" with 5 members of the Pre-Commissioning Crew of the USS Arizona (SSN-803) fast attack submarine at the Commemorative Air Force Museum in Mesa, Arizona on Monday, March 16, 2026. Thanks, in particular to Joe Trotter and Bob Gilmore for their input and photos presented in this webpage.

After the five 803 crew members went on a ride in the B‑25J Mitchell, "Maid in the Shade," a twin-engine medium bomber used in WWII, the Commemorative Air Force had a brief presentation about their mission and introduced the five PCU Arizona crew members.
The Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) SSN-803 Executive Officer (XO) then gave a short presentation about the boat. This was followed by several broad questions posed by Nicole LaSlavic, President and CEO of the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation which were addressed to anyone in the crew.
This was followed by an open question period for the general audience (about 75 people).

Following the presentations, the four Perch Base members, the five SSN-803 crew members and two members of the Arizona Legacy Foundation had lunch at Rancho de Tia Rosa restaurant in Mesa.

Click on any thumbnail for a larger picture.