Senior Chief Culinary Specialist Ryan Ash, a leading culinary specialist serving aboard Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Arkansas, celebrated a deeply meaningful family milestone when his daughter, Hiraya Sutton Ash, was baptized aboard the historic submarine USS Razorback in Little Rock on Oct. 17.
PCU Arkansas, currently preparing for sea trials, is part of the Navy’s next generation of Virginia-class fast-attack submarines. Crews assigned to a “PCU” designation train aboard vessels still under construction or undergoing testing before official commissioning.
The baptism, performed by Father Jeff, brought together Ash’s family — including his wife, Shayne, and multiple generations of relatives — to honor both a sacred religious ceremony and a powerful connection to naval heritage.
Shipboard baptisms date back centuries to the British Royal Navy, traditionally using the ship’s bell as the baptismal font. Afterward, the child’s name is engraved inside the bell to commemorate the moment.
“Baptism is more than a ritual — it is a sacred bridge between generations,” said Ash’s sister, Renea Henderson, who reflected on the ceremony’s meaning for their family and shared legacy.
The USS Razorback, a Balao-class submarine built in 1944, served in World War II and the Cold War before later becoming a museum ship on the Arkansas River. Today, it stands as a rare piece of living naval history.
For Senior Chief Ash, the location made the day unforgettable.
“Having my daughter baptized aboard Razorback was incredibly special,” he said. “It combined my family’s faith with my Navy career in a way that’s meaningful to all of us.”
With most global commerce and digital infrastructure tied to maritime security, Navy leaders stress the importance of trained sailors and a strong fleet. PCU Arkansas will officially join that fleet once commissioned, becoming the Navy’s newest fast-attack submarine.
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