Skip to Content

A look at USS IDAHO challenge coins

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) - We are just one week away from the christening of the USS IDAHO, the Navy’s newest Virginia-class submarine.

The USS IDAHO Commissioning Committee has several local members that are getting ready to head to Groton, Connecticut for the ceremony. 

The land locked state of Idaho has a great history with the Navy.

The first nuclear submarine crew trained in Lake Pend Oreille, which was perfect because of its depth and acoustics. 

In the USS IDAHO christening, instead of a bottle of champagne, it will be water collected from four of Idaho's lakes. 

One of the very cool things that is a part of the celebration will be USS IDAHO challenge coins.

Challenge coins bear the insignia and special images of an organization. They have a rich history in the military dating back to World War I.

One of the people headed to the christening is Idaho sub mariner Lance Kolbet, a Pocatello resident and former sub mariner from Idaho. He told us about the coins.

"Each command will generally have their own challenge coin, and individuals will also have challenge coins developed for themselves personally," he said. "And so the rule is, is that if you're offered a handshake and you don't have a challenge coin in your hand, then the person without the challenge coin owes a dream."

Kolbet will be sending us back video of all the celebrations during the christening ceremony.

Article Topic Follows: Idaho

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

Linda Larsen

Linda is an anchor and reporter for Local News 8.

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

KIFI Local News 8 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content