USS Annapolis (SSN-760)

USS "Annapolis" (SSN-760), is the tenth "improved" "Los Angeles"-class submarines, and is sister-ship to the USS Springfield (SSN-761). Homeported in Groton, CT, she is assigned to Submarine Development Squadron 12. [cite web
url=http://www.sublant.navy.mil/HTML/boats.html
title=Squadrons & Submarines] USS Annapolis is the fourth ship of the United States Navy to be named for Annapolis, Maryland, site of the United States Naval Academy.

History

The contract to build USS "Annapolis" (SSN 760) was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 21 March 1986 and her keel was laid down on 15 June 1988. She was launched on 18 May 1991 sponsored by Mrs. Myrna F. Kauderer, and commissioned on 11 April 1992, with Commander Richard Servinghaus in command.

November 1993, USS "Annapolis" deployed on its first mission to the North Atlantic. [cite web
url=http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/a/ssn-760/1992-93.pdf
title=USS ANNAPOLIS (SSN 760) COMMAND HISTORY
author=R.S. Chapman
date=1994-01-24 ] Later that year it was awarded the Submarine Group Two Silver Anchor Award for "Superior Performance." "Annapolis" returned to Groton, CT for the Christmas holidays and then continued on deployment in the Northern Atlantic in January 1994. During this time the boat made her first visit to Bergen, Norway where a few members of the crew had an opportunity to attend some of the 1994 Winter Olympic events before returning to Groton in March. [cite web
url=http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/a/ssn-760/1994.pdf
title=USS ANNAPOLIS (SSN 760) COMMAND HISTORY
author=R.S. Chapman
date=1995-02-12 ] During this deployment the boat and crew earned the Arctic Service Ribbon. Following an in-port refit period, "Annapolis" participated in a six month pre-deployment workup with USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69), and on Oct. 20, 1994, began her first six-month Mediterranean Deployment with the Eisenhower Battle Group. During the deployment, the crew had a chance to make port calls in places as diverse as Gibralter; Toulon, France; La Maddalena, Italy; Limasol, Cypress; and Haifa, Israel. During this deployment "Annapolis" earned her first Sea Service Ribbon, Naval Expeditionary Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation. Upon the boat's return, "Annapolis" was "adopted" by the town of Montville, Connecticut in an effort to strengthen community relations.

The boat's next deployment was not until October 1997, when it returned to the Mediterranean Sea with the George Washington Battle Group. In November 1997, in response to an emergent political and military crisis in the Persian Gulf, "Annapolis" transited the Suez Canal en route to the Middle East. While on station, "Annapolis" played a key role as a Tomahawk strike platform as well as serving as a public affairs platform by hosting news crews from both ABC and CBS networks. [cite web
url=http://www.history.navy.mil/shiphist/a/ssn-760/1997.pdf
title=USS ANNAPOLIS (SSN 760) COMMAND HISTORY
author=Daniel Farson
date=1998-03-06 ]

Port calls were limited but the crew did get ashore in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. While in the Gulf, the boat earned its second Sea Service Ribbon and a Naval Unit Commendation. In March 1998 "Annapolis" was relieved of her duties by the USS Providence and began the long voyage home.

After more than two years of local operations and extensive upkeep, "Annapolis" transited back to the Mediterranean in the summer of 2000 for a six-month independent submarine deployment. While in the Mediterranean, the boat had a chance to participate in several multi-national exercises as well as in real-world operations in the Adriatic. Crew members had significant liberty in Gibraltar; Rota, Spain; Toulon, France; and LaMaddalena, Italy, and earned its third Sea Service Ribbon and second Naval Expeditionary Medal. The boat returned from this deployment in January 2001.

"Annapolis" entered Portsmouth Navy Yard for an extended overhaul on 23 April 2003.

On February 28, 2008, "Annapolis" returned to homeport Groton from a six-month deployment. The deployment included visits to Rota, Spain; Toulon and Brest, France; Praia, Cape Verde; and Ghana. "Annapolis" was the first U.S. submarine to make a port visit to Africa (Cape Verde) outside of the Mediterranean. In addition to functions supporting national security, "Annapolis" participated in the African Partnership Station (APS) 2007, an initiative with regional maritime services in West and Central Africa. [cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=35334
title=USS Annapolis Returns From African Partnership Station, Deployment
author=Lt. James Stockman
date=2008-03-01 ]

References