USS Florida (SSGN-728)

USS "Florida" (SSGN-728), an "Ohio"-class ballistic missile submarine, was the sixth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the 27th state. She was commissioned with the hull designation of SSBN-728, with her conversion to a conventional missile submarine she was re-designated SSGN-728.

The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 28 February 1975 and her keel was laid down on the bicentennial of the United States's independence, 4 July 1976. The boat was unnamed at the keel-laying ceremony.

The initial ship's crew formed the precommissioning unit on 8 July 1980. The first shipboard watches were stationed on 14 February 1981 to support the operational control transfer of engineering systems to ship's force control. The Secretary of the Navy finally named her on 19 January 1981.

"Florida" was launched on 14 November 1981 sponsored by Mrs. Jarcia M. Carlucci. Her reactor was initially taken critical on 13 November 1982 and she went into service and the crew moved onboard on 21 January 1983. "Florida" commenced initial builders' sea trials on 21 February 1983 and was subsequently delivered to the Navy on 17 May 1983 — 43 days ahead of schedule. She was commissioned on 18 June 1983, with Captain William L. Powell in command of the Blue Crew and Captain G.R. Sterner in command of the Gold Crew.

Both crews successfully completed the demonstration and shakedown operations, each culminated by the successful launch of a Trident C-4 missile. "Florida" transited the Panama Canal in February and arrived in Bangor, Washington on 25 March 1984. She completed her first strategic deterrent patrol on 25 July 1984. As of November 1994, "Florida" had successfully completed 38 strategic deterrent patrols. In 1991, she won the Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award.

"Florida" entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard in July 2003 to undergo a refueling and conversion from an SSBN to an SSGN. "Florida" completed her conversion in April 2006 and is homeported in Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. On 25 May 2006 she had a return to service ceremony in Mayport, Florida. Ms. Carlucci was the ships sponsor for her recommissioning in Mayport, Fl in May 2006.

See the article on the class for more information regarding the conversion.

External links

* [https://www.florida.navy.mil/ Official USS "Florida" Web site]
* [http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=12848 Navy story on 14 April 2004 Change of Command]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
]