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 independence, 4 July 1976. The boat was unnamed at the keel-laying ceremony.
The initial boat's crew formed the precommissioning unit on 8 July 1980. The first duty watches were stationed on 14 February 1981 to support the operational control transfer of engineering systems to boat'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. Marcia M. Carlucci, wife of then Deputy Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci. The reactor was initially taken critical on 13 November 1982; the boat 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 George R. Sterner in command of the Gold Crew.
Operational history
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 2002, Florida had successfully completed 61 strategic deterrent patrols. She won the Battle E in 1989, 1991, 1994, 1999, and 2002. In 1991, she won the Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award. In 1997, Florida's skipper, Commander Michael J. Alfonso, was relieved of command "because he had been unable to foster an effective command team so necessary to the success of the U.S. submarine force."[6]
Florida's command history for 1997 states:
...Concerned about Commander Alfonso's leadership style and the low morale displayed by his crew, Rear Admiral Sullivan (Commander, Submarine Group Nine) took the extraordinary step of relieving the Blue crew captain of his command. On 12 August, Commander Gregory M. Billy, USN, assumed command of Florida (Blue) in a brief ceremony.[7][8]
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, Georgia. On 25 May 2006 she had a return to service ceremony at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. Ms. Carlucci was the boat's sponsor for her recommissioning in Mayport in May 2006.
The patch designed by the pre-commissioning crew, prior to the naming. Rumors said the boat was to be named Iowa.
Operation Odyssey Dawn
On 19 March 2011, in conjunction with other U.S. Navy and Royal Navywarships and submarines, Florida fired scores of Tomahawk missiles at Libyan air defense targets as part of Operation Odyssey Dawn.[9][10] The Tomahawk missile strikes allowed British, French, and allied warplanes to begin enforcing a no-fly zone over Libya, preventing Muammar Gaddafi from using his air force to attack rebels in his country.[10] This was the first combat action for the Florida or any other Ohio-class submarine.[11] During Operation Odyssey Dawn, Florida launched 93 Tomahawk missiles, with 90 effective, out of her total magazine of about 160 missiles.[12]
Of the four Ohio-class SSGNs in the U.S. Navy, Florida was the only one that was available for use in Operation Odyssey Dawn since she was the only one that had been assigned to cruise the Mediterranean Sea. Some other Tomahawk missiles were fired by American surface ships and by a few Royal Navy nuclear submarines.
On 28 June 2010, Florida was one of three Ohio-class submarines involved in a US response to Chinese missile testing in the contested East China Sea. Florida, Ohio, and Michigan all surfaced simultaneously in the waters of the British Indian Ocean Territory, the Philippines, and the Republic of Korea respectively.[13][14]
Awards
On 15 February 2013, Florida's crew was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation having "distinguished itself in action against the enemy" during Operation Odyssey Dawn in 2011.[15]
^ abcFrost, Peter. . Daily Press. Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
^"US study of reactor and fuel types to enable naval reactors to shift from HEU fuel". Fissile Materials. 10 April 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
^"Validation of the Use of Low Enriched Uranium as a Replacement for Highly Enriched Uranium in US Submarine Reactors" (PDF). DSpace@MIT. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
^ ab. Chief of Naval Operations Submarine Warfare Division. Archived from the original on 13 July 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
^"In a First, Submarine Commander Is Ousted". The New York Times. 9 September 1997.
^Graham, Bradley (18 September 1997). . The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016.(subscription required)
^"A Skipper's Chance to Run A Trident Sub Sinks at Sea". The Wall Street Journal. 20 November 1997.(subscription required)
^Axe, David (20 October 2011). "Tomorrow's Missile Subs: Smaller, Cheaper, With Lots of Robot Pals". Wired.com. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
^ abBurns, Robert (20 March 2011). . Yahoo! News. Archived from the original on 14 March 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2011.
^"Navy Accomplishes Several Firsts During Operation Odyssey Dawn". Navy News Service. globalsecurity.org. 1 April 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
^Kimber, James (29 April 2011). "Florida Returns from Historic Submarine Deployment". CHINFO. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
^"In 2010, the U.S. Navy Surfaced Three Missiles Subs as a Warning to China". War is Boring. Medium. 14 April 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2018.
^Torode, Greg. . Viet-Studies. Archived from the original on 11 June 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
^. Kings Bay Periscope. 20 February 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 24 March 2013.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to USS Florida (SSGN-728).
"Inside look at 21st century stealth submarine" on YouTube
January 31, 2023
florida, ssgn, floridian, floridian, 3875, other, ships, with, same, name, florida, florida, ssbn, ssgn, ohio, class, cruise, missile, submarine, sixth, vessel, united, states, navy, named, state, florida, commissioned, with, hull, designation, ssbn, with, con. For USS Floridian see USS Floridian ID 3875 For other ships with the same name see USS Florida USS Florida SSBN 728 SSGN 728 an Ohio class cruise missile submarine is the sixth vessel of the United States Navy to be named for the U S state of Florida She was commissioned with the hull designation of SSBN 728 with her conversion to a cruise missile submarine from a ballistic missile submarine she was re designated SSGN 728 USS Florida SSGN 728 USS Florida SSGN 728 HistoryUnited StatesNamesakeU S state of FloridaOrdered28 February 1975BuilderGeneral Dynamics Electric BoatLaid down4 July 1976Launched14 November 1981Commissioned18 June 1983HomeportKings Bay GeorgiaMottoLatin Fortes Fortuna Adiuvat Fortune Favors the Brave Statusin active serviceBadgeGeneral characteristicsClass and typeOhio class submarineDisplacement16 764 long tons 17 033 t surfaced 1 2 18 750 long tons 19 050 t submerged 1 Length560 ft 170 m Beam42 ft 13 m 1 Draft38 ft 12 m Propulsion1 S8G PWR nuclear reactor 1 HEU 93 5 3 4 2 geared turbines 1 1 325 hp 242 kW auxiliary motor 1 shaft 60 000 shp 45 000 kW 1 SpeedGreater than 25 knots 46 km h 29 mph 5 Test depthGreater than 800 feet 240 m 5 Complement15 officers 1 2 140 enlisted 1 2 Armament4 21 in 533 mm torpedo tubes 154 BGM 109 Tomahawks in 22 groups of seven Contents 1 Construction and commissioning 2 Operational history 2 1 Conversion to SSGN 2 2 Operation Odyssey Dawn 3 Awards 4 References 5 External linksConstruction and commissioning EditThe 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 independence 4 July 1976 The boat was unnamed at the keel laying ceremony The initial boat s crew formed the precommissioning unit on 8 July 1980 The first duty watches were stationed on 14 February 1981 to support the operational control transfer of engineering systems to boat 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 Marcia M Carlucci wife of then Deputy Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci The reactor was initially taken critical on 13 November 1982 the boat 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 George R Sterner in command of the Gold Crew Operational history EditBoth 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 2002 Florida had successfully completed 61 strategic deterrent patrols She won the Battle E in 1989 1991 1994 1999 and 2002 In 1991 she won the Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award In 1997 Florida s skipper Commander Michael J Alfonso was relieved of command because he had been unable to foster an effective command team so necessary to the success of the U S submarine force 6 Florida s command history for 1997 states Concerned about Commander Alfonso s leadership style and the low morale displayed by his crew Rear Admiral Sullivan Commander Submarine Group Nine took the extraordinary step of relieving the Blue crew captain of his command On 12 August Commander Gregory M Billy USN assumed command of Florida Blue in a brief ceremony 7 8 Conversion to SSGN Edit Main article Ohio class submarine SSBN SSGN conversions 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 Georgia On 25 May 2006 she had a return to service ceremony at Naval Station Mayport Florida Ms Carlucci was the boat s sponsor for her recommissioning in Mayport in May 2006 The patch designed by the pre commissioning crew prior to the naming Rumors said the boat was to be named Iowa Operation Odyssey Dawn Edit On 19 March 2011 in conjunction with other U S Navy and Royal Navy warships and submarines Florida fired scores of Tomahawk missiles at Libyan air defense targets as part of Operation Odyssey Dawn 9 10 The Tomahawk missile strikes allowed British French and allied warplanes to begin enforcing a no fly zone over Libya preventing Muammar Gaddafi from using his air force to attack rebels in his country 10 This was the first combat action for the Florida or any other Ohio class submarine 11 During Operation Odyssey Dawn Florida launched 93 Tomahawk missiles with 90 effective out of her total magazine of about 160 missiles 12 Of the four Ohio class SSGNs in the U S Navy Florida was the only one that was available for use in Operation Odyssey Dawn since she was the only one that had been assigned to cruise the Mediterranean Sea Some other Tomahawk missiles were fired by American surface ships and by a few Royal Navy nuclear submarines On 28 June 2010 Florida was one of three Ohio class submarines involved in a US response to Chinese missile testing in the contested East China Sea Florida Ohio and Michigan all surfaced simultaneously in the waters of the British Indian Ocean Territory the Philippines and the Republic of Korea respectively 13 14 Awards EditOn 15 February 2013 Florida s crew was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation having distinguished itself in action against the enemy during Operation Odyssey Dawn in 2011 15 References Edit a b c d e f g h SSBN 726 Ohio Class FBM Submarines Federation of American Scientists 9 February 2000 Retrieved 25 October 2021 a b c Frost Peter Newport News contract awarded Daily Press Archived from the original on 27 April 2009 Retrieved 27 September 2011 US study of reactor and fuel types to enable naval reactors to shift from HEU fuel Fissile Materials 10 April 2020 Retrieved 25 October 2021 Validation of the Use of Low Enriched Uranium as a Replacement for Highly Enriched Uranium in US Submarine Reactors PDF DSpace MIT 30 June 2015 Retrieved 25 October 2021 a b Submarine Frequently Asked Questions Chief of Naval Operations Submarine Warfare Division Archived from the original on 13 July 2013 Retrieved 27 September 2011 In a First Submarine Commander Is Ousted The New York Times 9 September 1997 Graham Bradley 18 September 1997 Admiral Cites Crew Intimidation as Reason Trident Sub Skipper Was Removed The Washington Post Archived from the original on 13 March 2016 subscription required A Skipper s Chance to Run A Trident Sub Sinks at Sea The Wall Street Journal 20 November 1997 subscription required Axe David 20 October 2011 Tomorrow s Missile Subs Smaller Cheaper With Lots of Robot Pals Wired com Retrieved 23 March 2013 a b Burns Robert 20 March 2011 First wave of allied assault 112 cruise missiles Yahoo News Archived from the original on 14 March 2011 Retrieved 20 March 2011 Navy Accomplishes Several Firsts During Operation Odyssey Dawn Navy News Service globalsecurity org 1 April 2011 Retrieved 27 September 2011 Kimber James 29 April 2011 Florida Returns from Historic Submarine Deployment CHINFO Retrieved 27 September 2011 In 2010 the U S Navy Surfaced Three Missiles Subs as a Warning to China War is Boring Medium 14 April 2016 Retrieved 11 November 2018 Torode Greg US submarines emerge in show of military might Viet Studies Archived from the original on 11 June 2016 Retrieved 1 June 2016 USS Florida awarded unit commendation Kings Bay Periscope 20 February 2013 Archived from the original on 14 July 2014 Retrieved 24 March 2013 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to USS Florida SSGN 728 Inside look at 21st century stealth submarine on YouTube Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title USS Florida SSGN 728 amp oldid 1126318208, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
