USS Georgia (SSGN-729)

USS "Georgia" (SSBN-729/SSGN-729), a "Ohio"-class ballistic missile submarine, is the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the fourth state. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on February 20 1976 and her keel was laid down on April 7 1979. She was launched on November 6 1982 sponsored by Mrs. Sheila M. Watkins, and commissioned on February 11 1984, with Captain A.W. Kuester commanding the Blue crew and Captain M.P. Gray commanding the Gold crew. From March to April, 1984 she went on her shakedown cruise and test-launched a Trident C-4 missile in the Eastern Test Range on April 7 1986 [cite web |url= http://www.floridatoday.com/maps/launches/TridentLaunches.htm |title= Florida Today Space and Missile Launch Database |accessdate= 2006-08-29] . In November 1984, she arrived in her home port of Bangor, Washington. In January 1985 she started her first strategic deterrence patrol. As an element of Task Unit 14.7.1 from September 1983 to May 1986, she was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation. She was awarded her second Meritorious Unit Commendation for Submarine Operations between February 1986 to August 1986.

On March 22 1986, near Midway Island, USS "Secota" (YTM-417) had just completed a personnel transfer with the "Georgia", when the "Secota" lost power and collided with the "Georgia". "Secota" sank. Ten crewman were rescued, but two drowned. "Georgia" was undamaged [cite web |url= http://www.thesubreport.com/zsubh0322 |title= This Day in Submarine History |accessdate= 2006-08-29] .

Her Gold Crew was awarded the Comsubron Seventeen Battle Efficiency Award for 2001.

On October 30 2003, "Georgia" returned from her 65th and last deterrent patrol.

On November 7 2003, while "Georgia" was docked at Bangor, Washington, her C-4 Trident I missiles were offloaded. The process proceeded smoothly until tube number 16. When each tube was opened, a ladder was lowered into the tube so a sailor could climb down and attach a hoist to lift the missile. After attaching the hoist was attached to the missile in tube 16, the sailor climbed out, and the crew took a break without removing the ladder. When they returned, they began to hoist the missile, pulling against the ladder and cutting a nine-inch (229 mm) hole in its nose cone. No radioactive material was released.

Three enlisted men in the missile handling team faced a court-martial. The Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific was immediately shut down and inspected by the Navy, and failed to pass. SWFPAC's commanding officer, Captain Keith Lyles, was relieved of command on Decemebr 19, followed by his executive officer, Commander Phillip Jackson, weapons officer, Commander Marshall Millett, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Command Steven Perry. SWFPAC reopened after passing inspection under a new commanding officer on January 9 2004. "Georgia"’s crew was unaffected.

"Georgia" was redesignated to SSGN on March 1 2004. In October 2004 she participated as the command node of Exercise Silent Hammer, to validate and showcase the new Joint Warfare and ISR capabilities [cite web |url= http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/cno/n87/usw/issue_25/hammer.htm |title= USS Georgia – The Silent Hammer |last= Duryea |first= Dave, Capt., USN |work= Undersea Warfare |accessdate= 2006-08-29] .

In March 2005, "Georgia" entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for her scheduled Engineered Refueling Overhaul. The SSGN conversion took place concurrently. [cite web |url= http://www.strategypage.com/militaryforums/462-2729.aspx |title= Conversion of USS Georgia From SSBN to SSGN |accessdate= 2006-08-29] [cite web |url= http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/2005/10/uss-georgia-ssbn-enters-conversion-to-ssgn-tactical-trident-specops-sub/index.php |title= USS Georgia SSBN Enters Conversion to SSGN "Tactical Trident" SpecOps Sub |work= Defense Industry Daily |accessdate= 2006-08-29] . The conversion and refitting work was completed in February 2008. [cite web |url= http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htsub/articles/20080222.aspx |title= Four SSGNs, No Waiting |accessdate= 2008-02-22] "Georgia" was officially welcomed home on March 28th in a ceremony attended by Governor Sonny Perdue [ cite web |url=http://atlanta.navyleague.us/ |title=Navy Marks USS Georgia's Return To Service |work=CBS 4 News Jacksonville |accessdate= 2008-12-03]

After the refit, "Georgia" will be moving to her new home port in Kings Bay, Georgia [cite web |url= http://isakson.senate.gov/press/2006/072506ussga.htm |title= Isakson Praises Navy’s Decision to Move USS Georgia to Kings Bay |accessdate= 2006-08-29] .

"Georgia" in fiction

*"Georgia" is mentioned briefly in Tom Clancy's novel "The Hunt for Red October".
*"Georgia" is mentioned in the 1996 movie "Independence Day" but the film footage of the submarine was from the set of "Crimson Tide".

References

:"This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register and various press releases."

External links

* [https://www.georgia.navy.mil USS "Georgia" Official Navy Home Page]