Commissioned uss s-7 at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, me; Lt

1936 - PCU SNAPPER (SS-185) keel laid as SNAPPER at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, NH.

1942 - PCU BILLFISH (SS-286) keel laid as BILLFISH at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME.

PCU BOWFIN (SS-287) keel laid as BOWFIN at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME.

1943 - PCU DACE (SS-247) commissioned USS DACE (SS-247) at Electric Boat Company, Groton,

CT.

1967 - USS GREENLING (SSN-614) struck a buoy off Hingham, MA. There was only minor

1991 - USS PERMIT (SSN-594) decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

1993 - USS TECUMSEH (SSBN-628) decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

July 24

1917 - in the early spring of 1917, Lt. (j.g.) Arnold Marcus assumed command of USS A-7 (ex-

SHARK) (SS-8). Gasoline fumes ignited and caused an explosion and fire while in the

course of a patrol in Manila Bay. After Marcus and his men had battled the blaze, he

ordered the crew topside and into the boats that had been summoned alongside. The

last man to emerge from the interior of the crippled submersible, Marcus sent up

distress signals to the nearby monitor Monadnock and then took the helm himself in an

attempt to beach the ship. He refused medical treatment until all his men had been

attended to (six later died) and had to be ordered to leave his post. The gallant Marcus

died the next day 25 July 1917, of the effects of the explosion and fire that had ravaged

his command. The Navy recognized this young officer's selfless heroism in naming a ship,

Marcus (Destroyer No. 321), in his honor.

1943 - PCU PARCHE (SS-384) launched at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME.

1958 - USS SKATE (SSN-578) suffered damage to her propeller when she collided with USS

Fulton (AS-11) while the tender was moored to a pier in New London, CT.

1970 - Ex-COBIA (AGSS-245) donated as a Museum and Memorial to Wisconsin Maritime

Museum, Manitowoc, WI.

1981 - PCU HYMAN G. RICKOVER (SSN-709) keel laid as HYMAN G. RICKOVER at the Electric

Boat Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.
1982 - PCU BALTIMORE (SSN-704) commissioned USS BALTIMORE (SSN-704) at the Electric Boat

Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.

1989 - USS SPADEFISH (SSN-668) onboard fire in the Atlantic.

1993 - PCU COLUMBUS (SSN-762) commissioned USS COLUMBUS (SSN-762) at the Electric Boat

Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.

2001 - the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS CHICAGO (SSN-721) operated at periscope

depth in the western Pacific Ocean off the coast of Malaysia. CHICAGO was participating

in a war-a-sea exercise as part of the seventh annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and

Training (CARAT) 2001 exercise. CARAT, a series of bilateral exercises, takes place

throughout the Western Pacific each summer with the goal of increasing regional

cooperation and promoting interoperability with each country. Countries participating in

CARAT 01 were: Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia and Brunei and

the United States.

2003 - the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS KEY WEST (SSN-722), one of four Pacific Fleet

submarines to strike at targets in Iraq during the Operation Iraqi Freedom, returned to

her home port at Pearl Harbor, HI. KEY WEST left for deployment on Jan. 24, 2003 and

was in the Arabian Gulf when coalition forces began the initial strike against various

targets in Iraq. In addition to participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom, KEY WEST was

the first U.S. warship on station during the initial phase of Operation Enduring Freedom

and participated in strike missions into Afghanistan. As a result of the operations, the

commanding officer, Cmdr. Chuck Merkel, became the first submarine skipper since

World War II to lead his crew in back-to-back combat operations.

1918 - PCU AA-1 (ex-SCHLEY) (later T-1/SF-1) (SS-52) launched at Fore River Shipbuilding

Company, Quincy, MA; sponsored by Mrs. Lilian Hovey-King.

1921 - USS A-3 (ex-GRAMPUS) (SS-4) third decommisssioning at Cavite Navy Yard, PI. She was

subsequently dismantled and used as a target by ships of the Asiatic Fleet.

USS A-5 (ex-PIKE) (SS-6) third decommisssioning. She was subsequently earmarked as a

target vessel, fate unknown.

Vessel Register at Cavite Navy Yard, PI.

1922 - USS L-8 (SS-48) departed San Pedro, CA for the Atlantic and Hampton Roads, VA.

1943 - PCU BASHAW (SS-241) launched at the Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT.

1946 - USS SKIPJACK (SS-184) was sunk as a target vessel in Operation Crossroads nuclear

weapon test BAKER (detonated 90 feet (27 meters) underwater) at Bikini Atoll and was

later raised and towed to Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.

USS SEARAVEN (SS-196) was sunk as a target vessel in Operation Crossroads nuclear

weapon test BAKER (detonated 90 feet (27 meters) underwater) at Bikini Atoll. She

escaped the tests with only negligible damage.

USS TUNA (SS-203) was sunk as a target vessel in Operation Crossroads nuclear weapon

test BAKER (detonated 90 feet (27 meters) underwater) at Bikini Atoll. She received only

superficial damage.

USS LAPON (SS-260) decommissioned at New London, CT.

USS APOGON (SS-308) was sunk as a target vessel and destroyed in Operation

Crossroads nuclear weapon test BAKER (detonated 90 feet (27 meters) underwater) at

Bikini Atoll. She now lies perfectly upright as if ready to drive away on the bottom of

Bikini's lagoon 800 yds. SW of the BAKER Site.

weapon test BAKER (detonated 90 feet (27 meters) underwater) at Bikini Atoll. She

underwent both atomic weapons tests with her crew safely away from their submarine,

and returned to Pearl Harbor September 5.

weapon test BAKER (detonated 90 feet (27 meters) underwater) at Bikini Atoll. PARCHE

survived both the air burst and the underwater burst, coming through relatively

undamaged. After decontamination, she proceeded to Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo,

CA.

USS PILOTFISH (SS-386) was sunk as a target vessel in Operation Crossroads nuclear

weapon test BAKER (detonated 90 feet (27 meters) underwater) at Bikini Atoll. She was

salvaged for examination and resunk as a target on October 16, 1948.

2003 - Capt. Bruce Grooms relieved Capt. Mike Klein as commanding officer of Submarine

Squadron 6 during a ceremony aboard Naval Station Norfolk. As guest speaker, Director

of Submarine Warfare Division, Rear Adm. Michael Tracy opened by offering a hearty

“well done” to SUBRON 6 for its role in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He then set the tone

by thanking the families of the captains. Klein, a native of Indianapolis, went on to the

Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Submarine Warfare Division. Grooms, a native of

Cleveland, came to SUBRON 6 from his position as Senior Military Aide to the Under

Secretary of Defense for Policy. Grooms had previously commanded the fast attack

submarine USS ASHEVILLE (SSN-758). SUBRON 6 is one of two fast-attack submarine

squadrons homeported in Norfolk. Its mission is to train for and conduct submarine

operations, and to provide for repair, maintenance and logistic support of assigned

submarines.

2005 - a Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) Bangor based fleet ballistic missile submarine was recognized

as the U.S. Navy’s best Trident when she was presented the 2004 U.S. Strategic

Command (USSTRATCOM) Omaha Trophy at Silverdale, WA. Gen. James Cartwright,

Commander, USSTRATCOM, made the trip from Omaha, NE, to the NBK Bangor

waterfront to publicly acknowledge the efforts of all of the officers and sailors of USS

PENNSYLVANIA (SSBN-735). The two crews of PENNSYLVANIA combined to receive the

Commander Submarine Squadron 17 (CSS-17) Battle Efficiency “E”, Strategic Weapons

White “S”. Tactical Operations White “T”, Navigation Red and Green “N”,

Communications Green “C”, and Damage Control Red “DC” Awards for 2004.

2006 - the Los Angeles-class attack submarines USS CHICAGO (SSN-721) and USS COLUMBIA

(SSN-771) operated together in the Pacific Ocean and prepared to join a multinational

formation with other ships that participated in the 2006 Rim of the Pacific exercise. To

commemorate the last day of RIMPAC, participating country's naval vessels fell into

ranks for a photo exercise. RIMPAC trains U.S. allied forces to be interoperable and

ready for a wide range of potential combined operations and missions. Eight nations

participated in RIMPAC, the world's largest biennial maritime exercise. Conducted in the

waters off Hawaii, RIMPAC brings together military forces from Australia, Canada, Chile,

Peru, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.

USS KEY WEST (SSN-722) sailed in formation with a group of 28 ships and submarines at

the conclusion of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2006. Eight nations participated in

RIMPAC, the world's largest biennial maritime exercise. Conducted in the waters off

Hawaii, RIMPAC brings together military forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru,

Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Carl M. Brashear, the first black U.S. Navy diver who was portrayed by Cuba Gooding, Jr.

in the 2000 film Men of Honor, died. He was 75. Brashear died at the Naval Medical

Center Portsmouth, VA of respiratory and heart failure, the medical center said.

Brashear retired from the Navy in 1979 after more than 30 years of service. He was the

first Navy diver to be restored to full active duty as an amputee, the result of a leg injury

he sustained during a salvage operation. In 1966 Brashear was assigned to recover a

hydrogen bomb that dropped into waters off of Spain when two U.S. Air Force planes

collided. During the mission Brashear was struck below his left knee by a pipe that the

crew was using to hoist the bomb out of the water. Brashear was airlifted to a naval

hospital where the bottom of his left leg was amputated to avoid gangrene. It later was

replaced with a prosthetic leg. The Navy was ready to retire Brashear from active duty,

but he soon began a grueling training program that included diving, running and

calisthenics. Brashear was inducted into the Gallery of Great Black Kentuckians in 2002.

He faced an uphill battle when he joined the Navy in 1948 at the age of 17, not long

after the U.S. military desegregated. "I went to the Army office, and they weren't too

friendly," Brashear said in 2002. "But the Navy recruiter was a lot nicer. Looking back, I

was placed in my calling." Brashear, the son of poor sharecroppers in Sonora, Kentucky,

quickly decided after boot camp that he wanted to become a deep-sea diver. "Growing

up on a farm in Kentucky, I always dreamed of doing something challenging," he said.

"When I saw the divers for the first time, I knew it was just what I wanted." In 1954 he

was accepted and graduated from the diving program, despite daily battles with

discrimination, including having hate notes left on his bunk. He went on to train for

advanced diving programs before his 1966 incident. "He kept to himself personally, but

his military life was an open book," said Junetta Brashear, his first wife, who lives in

Portsmouth, Virginia, near Brashear's home in Virginia Beach. She said Brashear's health

started to deteriorate about three years ago, but that he had experienced problems

ever since the amputation. Brashear married childhood friend Junetta Wilcox in 1952

and had four children -- Shazanta, DaWayne, Phillip and Patrick -- before their divorce in

1978. He later married Hattie R. Elam and Jeanette A. Brundage.

1909 - USS ADDER (later A-2) (SS-3) decommissioned for transport to the Philippine Islands by the

collier, Caesar.

1915 - PCU N-1 (SS-53) keel laid as N-1 at Seattle Construction and Drydock Company, Seattle, WA.

1945 - USS O-2 (SS-63) second decommissioning at New London, CT.

1965 - PCU LAPON (SSN-661) keel laid as LAPON at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company,

Newport News, VA.

1972 - USS HARDHEAD (SS-365) third decommisssioning, struck from the Naval Vessel Register, and

transferred (sold) under the terms of the Security Assistance Program, to Greece. Commissioned

into the Greek Navy as Papanikolis (S-114).

1917 - PCU O-2 (SS-63) keel laid as O-2 at Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, WA.

1918 - PCU O-9 (SS-70) commissioned USS O-9 at Fore River Shipbuilding Company, Quincy, MA;

Lt. Oliver M. Read, Jr. commanding.

Thales S. Boyd commanding.

1938 - PCU SCULPIN (SS-191) launched at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, NH; sponsored

by Mrs. J. R. Defrees.

1943 - PCU RAY (SS-271) commissioned USS RAY (SS-271) at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company,

Manitowoc, WI.

War.

1944 - PCU BLENNY (SS-324) commissioned USS BLENNY (SS-324) at Electric Boat Company,

Groton, CT.

1968 - PCU GUITARRO (SSN-665) launched at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.

1985 - PCU PROVIDENCE (SSN-719) commissioned USS PROVIDENCE (SSN-719) at the Electric

Boat Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.

1996 - PCU LOUISIANA (SSBN-743) launched at the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics

Corporation, Groton, CT.

2006 - the Navy's Deep Submergence Unit (DSU) received a Meritorious Unit Commendation at

Naval Base Coronado, CA, for operations during the Russian submarine rescue in

Kamchatka, Russia and Sorbet Royal in Italy. In August 2005, DSU assisted in the rescue

of a seven-man Russian submarine trapped hundreds of feet under the Pacific Ocean

near Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. The British and Japanese navies assisted in the

rescue, with the use of a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) that cut the submarine free

of the fishing net that entangled the submarine. They participate in exercises designed

to improve international submarine rescue capabilities. In June of 2005 in Italy, they

participated in Sorbet Royal, a NATO submarine exercise held every three years.

The efforts of DSU have become an asset to the Navy and navies across the globe. DSU

dedication to training and response to submarine rescue, keep DSU's teams ready to

react at a moment's notice to ensure the job is done as quickly and safely as possible.

1945 - PCU CUSK (SS-348) launched at the Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT.

1964 - PCU JAMES MADISON (SSBN-627) commissioned USS JAMES MADISON (SSBN-627) at

Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Newport News, VA.

1972 - USS DOGFISH (SS-350) decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register;

transferred (sold) under terms of the Security Assistance Program to Brazil, renamed

Guanabara (S-10).

1989 - USS SAND LANCE (SSN-660) fire while in drydock.

2006 - photos were taken this day and on July 29 in the Soya/LaPerouse Strait of a submarine

wreck believed to be USS WAHOO (SS-238). The dive was conducted by a Russian team

at a specific location whose coordinates were previously given to the Russian authorities

by the Wahoo Project. To the best of their knowledge, and in accordance with accepted

International Law, the vessel had not been disturbed. Because positive identification of

the vessel by the Naval Historical Center had not been made, the Wahoo Project

released the photos with the reservation that they were of a sunken submarine taken in

the general area where WAHOO is assumed to have been lost.

the U.S. nuclear powered submarine USS MEMPHIS (SSN-691) arrived in Gibraltar to

provide a rest period for the crew before continuing on to ‘operational tasks’.

1915 - PCU N-2 (SS-54) keel laid as N-2 at Seattle Construction and Drydock Company, Seattle,

WA.

1943 - PCU BLUEBACK (SS-326) keel laid as BLUEBACK at the Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT.

cancelled.

Groton, CT, but the contract was cancelled this date. Ono (Acanthocybium solandri) is

commonly known as Wahoo and is a close relative of the King Mackerel.

PCU GARLOPA (SS-358) construction cancelled.

PCU GARRUPA (SS-359) construction by Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT cancelled.

PCU GOLDRING (SS-360) construction by Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT cancelled.

PCU NEEEDLEFISH (SS-379) construction cancelled before she was laid down.

PCU NERKA (SS-380) construction cancelled before she was laid down.

PCU UNICORN (SS-429) construction by Cramp Shipbuilding Company, Philadelphia, PA

cancelled.

cancelled.

cancelled.

PCUs (SS-438) to (SS-463) construction cancelled.

PCUs (SS-465) to (SS-474) construction cancelled.

PCUs (SS-495) to (SS-500) construction cancelled.

PCUs (SS-501) to (SS-515) construction cancelled.

PCUs (SS-517) to (SS-521) construction cancelled.

PCU DORADO (SS-526) construction cancelled.

PCU COMBER (SS-527) construction cancelled.

PCU SEA PANTHER (SS-528) construction cancelled.

PCU TIBURON (SS-529) construction cancelled.

PCUs (SS-530) to (SS-544) construction cancelled.

1946 - USS SEARAVEN (SS-196) was raised from the tethered submerged position after the

BAKER nuclear weapon test at Bikini Atoll.

1952 - USS ICEFISH (SS-367) second decommissioning at Groton, CT, for conversion to a Guppy

type submarine.

1960 - PCU SCORPION (SSN-589) commissioned USS SCORPION (SSN-589) at the Electric Boat

Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT; Comdr. Norman B. Bessac

commanding.

1963 - USS CONGER (SS-477) decommissioned.

Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Newport News, VA.

1995 - PCU MAINE (SSBN-741) commissioned USS MAINE (SSBN-741) at the Electric Boat

Division, General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.

1996 - USS CINCINNATI (SSN-693) decommissioned, struck from the Naval Vessel Register; to be

disposed of by Submarine Recycling Program.

1998 - Ex-PHOENIX (SSN-702) stricken from the Naval Vessel Register, to be disposed of by

Submarine Recycling Program.

1999 - USS CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI (SSN-705) departed St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands

bound for the Colombian city of Cartagena.

2003 - USS PORTSMOUTH (SSN-707) was underway near San Diego, CA.

USS ASHEVILLE (SSN-758) was underway near San Diego, CA.

July 30

1917 - PCU S-2 (SS-106) keel laid as S-2 at Lake Torpedo Boat Company, Bridgeport, CT.

1919 - ex-G-2 (ex-TUNA) (SS-27) was designated as a target for testing depth charges and

ordnance nets in Niantic Bay, CT. During inspection by a six-man maintenance crew, the

target boat suddenly flooded and sank at her moorings in Two Tree Channel near Niantic

Bay. She went down in 134 fathoms, drowning three of the inspection crew. The

submarine was never raised.

PCU R-9 (SS-86) commissioned USS R-9 at Fore River Shipbuilding Company, Quincy, MA;

Lt. Comdr. Thomas Shine commanding.

1942 - USS GRUNION (SS-216) lost with all hands in the Aleutian Islands. Her loss may be

presumed to have been operational or as a result of an unrecorded enemy attack in the

Aleutians - possibly in the approaches to Kiska. Seventy brave submariners were lost

with GRUNION that day. She was the seventh U.S. submarine loss of World War II.

GRUNION received one battle star for World War II service.

PCU RUNNER (SS-275) commissioned USS RUNNER (SS-275) at Portsmouth Navy Yard,

Kittery, ME.

1977 - PCU INDIANAPOLIS (SSN-697) launched at the Electric Boat Division, General Dynamics

Corporation, Groton, CT.

Dynamics Corporation, Groton, CT.

1999 - Ex-ETHAN ALLEN (SSBN/SSN-608) disposition complete by Nuclear Powered Ship and

Submarine Recycling Program (NPSSRP) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.

2004 - the nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine USS ALBANY (SSN-753) returned to Naval

Station Norfolk, VA from a six-month deployment. The submarine, with a crew of 144

officers and sailors, departed Norfolk January 30 on a regularly scheduled deployment.

While deployed, ALBANY provided support in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman for

more than 150 days, helping to successfully deter Al Qaeda and international terrorists.

The crew then proceeded to the Mediterranean Sea to participate in a Summer Pulse

‘04 exercise, Operation “MEDSHARK/Majestic Eagle.” This joint maritime exercise was

conducted to develop interoperability between multinational forces and address critical

undersea warfare objectives in the European area of operation. Summer Pulse ‘04 was

the first exercise to employ the Navy’s new operational construct, the Fleet Response

Plan (FRP). The FRP is about new ways of operating, training, manning and maintaining

the fleet that result in increased force readiness and the ability to provide significant

combat power to the President in response to a national emergency or crisis.

MEDSHARK/Majestic Eagle used a NATO command and control structure under the

direction of Striking and Support Forces NATO in Naples, Italy. In this exercise, allied

nations worked side-by-side in a realistic and challenging training environment. This was

a rare opportunity for a coalition of maritime forces to refine the complex skills

necessary to prepare for and conduct integrated operations with multiple aircraft

carriers and other vessels. Commanded by Cmdr. Brett Genoble, ALBANY is 360 feet

long, displaces approximately 6,900 tons of water while submerged, and can travel in

excess of 20 knots. ALBANY’s armament includes Tomahawk cruise missiles and MK48

advanced capability torpedoes.

the nation’s newest and most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine and the lead

ship of her class, PCU VIRGINIA (SSN-774) returned to the General Dynamics Electric

Boat shipyard, Groton, CT, following the successful completion of Alpha sea trials.

July 31

1902 - PCU GRAMPUS (later A-3) (SS-4) launched at Union Iron Works, San Francisco, CA;

sponsored by Mrs. Marley F. Hay, wife of the Superintendent of Construction at Union

Iron Works.

1915 - PCU N-3 (SS-55) keel laid as N-3 at Seattle Construction and Drydock Company, Seattle,

WA.

1943 - PCU ASPRO (SS-309) commissioned USS ASPRO (SS-309) at Portsmouth Navy Yard,

Kittery, ME.

1944 - PCU KETE (SS-369) commissioned USS KETE (SS-369) at Manitowoc Shipbuilding

Company, Manitowoc, WI.

Commander Lawson P. "Red" Ramage handled USS PARCHE (SS-384) like a PT boat while

in the middle of a Japanese convoy. In this action, he so confused the enemy that they

were shooting at each other. He sunk a tanker, a freighter and later was awarded the

Medal of Honor.

PCU SEA POACHER (SS-406) commissioned USS SEA POACHER (SS-406) at Portsmouth

Navy Yard, Kittery, ME.

1961 - PCU JAMES MONROE (SSBN-622) keel laid as JAMES MONROE at Newport News

Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, Newport News, VA.

1972 - USS ENTEMEDOR (SS-340) second decommissioning; pursuant to the Security Assistance

Program, ENTEMEDOR was transferred (leased) to the Republic of Turkey.

1986 - in late July, USS GUITARRO (SSN-665) reportedly suffered a minor mishap involving a

shipboard valve while at sea. In response to inquiries the Navy said no serious

equipment or safety problems occurred aboard GUITARRO.

1989 - USS SAM RAYBURN (SSBN-635) decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel

Register; to be disposed of; retain as a submarine Moored Training Ship.

1998 - Ex-SKIPJACK (SSN-585) disposition complete by Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine

Recycling Program (NPSSRP) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.

2004 - PCU TEXAS (SSN-775) christened by First Lady and Sponsor Laura Bush at Northrop

Grumman Newport News, VA. The submarine is the second of the new Virginia-class

submarines. The crew of 134 officers and sailors - many of whom call the state of Texas

home - stood by in anticipation as Bush christened TEXAS. This event brought them one

step closer to bringing this warship to life. Secretary of the Navy Gordon England joined

a number of dignitaries, including Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, who delivered the

ceremony’s principal address. Named to honor the 28th state admitted to the union,

Texas is the fourth ship of the U.S. Navy to carry the name since the original Texas was

commissioned in 1895. She is the second submarine of the Virginia class, and the first

submarine of the class to be built at Newport News. TEXAS will be able to attack targets

ashore with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles and conduct covert long-term

surveillance of land areas, littoral waters or other sea forces. TEXAS will also have a

number of additional capabilities, to include superior anti-submarine and anti-ship

warfare enhancements, special forces delivery and support, and mine delivery/minefield

mapping. With enhanced communications connectivity, the submarine also will provide

important strike group and joint task force support, with full integration into carrier

strike group operations. Cmdr. John J. Litherland was the ship’s prospective

commanding officer. Designed to meet the Navy’s requirements in a post-Cold War era,

Virginia-class submarines use advanced technologies to increase firepower,

maneuverability and stealth. The 377-foot long Virginia-class submarines are capable of

submerged speeds of more than 25 knots and can stay submerged for up to three

months at a time. The Virginia-class submarine’s improved stealth, sophisticated

surveillance capabilities, as well as special warfare enhancements, will enable it to meet

the Navy's multi-mission requirements. TEXAS, the fourth U.S. Navy vessel to be named

for the 28th state, was slated for delivery to the Navy in 2005. The ceremony marked

the first christening of a submarine at the shipyard since 1995 when USS CHEYENNE

(SSN-773) was launched.

2006 - USS TOLEDO (SSN-769) returned to Naval Submarine Base New London, CT. The multi-

mission capable, Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine returned from its regularly