This rare philatelic cover documents the January 25, 1986, commissioning of the USS Alaska, an Ohio-class nuclear submarine. Adorned with Alaskan-themed stamps and a specialized "First Day" postmark, the envelope serves as a historical birth certificate for the vessel.
The piece is uniquely
valuable because it features signatures from both Commanding Officers: Captain
G.H. Howard (Gold Crew) and Captain Paul L. Callahan (Blue Crew). This
highlights the Navy’s two-crew system, which ensures continuous strategic
deterrence by swapping personnel while the submarine remains on patrol.
For collectors, this
cover represents more than just a hobby; it is a tangible piece of Cold War
naval history.
