Story highlights The U.S. Navy formally began construction on its newest Virginia Class submarine

The keel laying is one of the four specifically celebrated events in the life of a ship

(CNN) The U.S. Navy has formally begun construction on its newest Virginia-class submarine, as Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden and the sub's sponsor, hosted the keel laying ceremony for the USS Delaware in Newport News, Virginia.

"These ceremonies are always special occasions, but the keel laying for this submarine is particularly meaningful to me," Biden said at the Saturday ceremony. "As a proud military daughter, military mom and Delawarean, I am honored to serve as its sponsor."

Expected to enter service in 2018, the 377-foot USS Delaware will weigh 7,800 tons and be able to operate at roughly 30 miles-per-hour under water.

In addition to the launching, commissioning and decommissioning, the keel laying is one of the four specifically celebrated events in the life of a ship, marking the initial placement of a central steel beam that serves as the submarine's "backbone."

Biden said it has been nearly 100 years since the Navy had a vessel bearing the state of Delaware's name -- the last being a battleship which served from 1909 to 1924 as part of the Atlantic fleet.

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