USS Connecticut (SSN-22)

USS "Connecticut" (SSN-22), a "Seawolf"-class submarine, was the fifth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the fifth state.

The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 3 May 1991 and her keel was laid down on 14 September 1992. She was launched on 1 September 1997 sponsored by Patricia L. Rowland, wife of the Governor of Connecticut, John G. Rowland, and commissioned on 11 December 1998, with Captain Larry Davis in command.

1999 was spent conducting shakedown operations that evaluated "Connecticut"'s weapons systems, sensors, stealth and engineering proficiency. She participated in Joint Task Force Exercise 2-99 as an opposing force asset, and completed acoustic trials, a shallow water exercise, and an anti-submarine warfare exercise.

In September 1999 "Connecticut" began a Post-Shakedown Availability (PSA) at the Electric Boat shipyard. Despite 100 percent growth in the amount of PSA work that made this the submarine force's most demanding PSA, "Connecticut" completed all work ahead of schedule. Additionally, this PSA concluded as the safest in the 100-year history of Electric Boat.

In April 2003, "Connecticut" surfaced through the Arctic ice at the University of Washington's Applied Physics Laboratory Ice Station (APLIS). While there, she came under attack by a polar bear, which gnawed on her rudder for a while before disengaging. "Connecticut" was able to complete her mission and return to base under her own power.

On 31 March 2004 "Connecticut" put to sea in support of the War on Terrorism as part of the "Wasp" Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG), returning to NSB New London on 2 September with a pierside band blasting Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back in Town". For the next three years, the Connecticut was largely confined to port as it underwent a prolonged maintenance cycle.

In early 2007, it was announced that the "Connecticut" would be transferred to Naval Base Kitsap in Washington following a six-month deployment encompassing the latter half of the year. The other two "Seawolf"-class submarines in the U.S. Navy are also located at Kitsap, and the move was announced as part of a larger U.S. Navy redeployment plan that involves 60 percent of the fleet's submarines to the Pacific. Upon arrival at Kitsap, the Connecticut will be assigned to Submarine Development Squadron Five. ["Connecticut's Namesake Sub Leaving Groton For New Home", Jennnifer Grogan, [http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=f1397e16-1ba0-4a1a-a984-3a9ed4e59e43 theday.com] . Accessed July 17, 2007.]

References

Based on the Naval Vessel Register, various press releases and former shipmates.

External links

* [http://www.csg2.navy.mil/Connecticut/connecticut.htm Official website]
* [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/SSN22.htm Naval Vessel Register entry for USS "Connecticut"]