USS Kentucky (SSBN-737) |
|
| Career (US) | |
|---|---|
| Name: | USS Kentucky |
| Namesake: | U.S. state of Kentucky |
| Ordered: | 13 August 1985 |
| Builder: | General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut |
| Laid down: | 18 December 1987 |
| Launched: | 11 August 1990 |
| Sponsored by: | Carolyn Pennebaker Hopkins |
| Commissioned: | 13 July 1991 |
| Homeport: | Bangor, Washington |
| Motto: | Thoroughbred Of The Fleet |
| Honors and awards: |
Gold Crew: Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award First Place 2001 Gold Crew: Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award First Place 2002 Battle Efficiency Award (Battle "E") 2006,2009 Gold Crew: Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award Honorable Mention 2007 |
| Status: | in active service, as of 2012[update] |
| Badge: | |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Ohio class ballistic missile submarine |
| Displacement: | 16,764 metric tons (16,499 long tons) surfaced[1][2] 18,750 metric tons (18,450 long tons) submerged[1] |
| Length: | 560 feet (170 m) |
| Beam: | 42 ft (13 m)[1] |
| Draft: | 38 feet (12 m) |
| Propulsion: | 1xS8G PWR nuclear reactor[1] 2x geared turbines[1] 1x325 hp (242 kW) auxiliary motor 1 shaft @ 60,000 shp (45 MW)[1] |
| Speed: | Greater than 25 knots (29 mph; 46 km/h)[3] |
| Test depth: | Greater than 800 feet (240 m)[3] |
| Complement: | 15 officers[1][2] 140 enlisted[1][2] |
| Armament: |
MK-48 torpedoes |
USS Kentucky (SSBN-737), is a United States Navy Ohio class ballistic missile submarine which has been in commission since 1991. She is the third U.S. Navy ship to be named for Kentucky, the 15th state.
The contract to build Kentucky was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, on 13 August 1985 and her keel was laid down there on 18 December 1987. She was launched on 11 August 1990, sponsored by Carolyn Pennebaker Hopkins, who used a custom blend of Kentucky bourbon whiskey, mixed for the occasion, rather than the traditional bottle of champagne to christen Kentucky. Kentucky was commissioned on 13 July 1991, with Captain Michael G. Riegel commanding the Blue Crew and Captain Joseph Henry commanding the Gold Crew. As of 2011, Commander Ed Fernandez is in command of the Blue Crew.
On 19 March 1998 south of Long Island, New York, Kentucky collided with the attack submarine USS San Juan (SSN-751) while the two submarines were conducting a joint training drill prior to deployment. Kentucky's rudder was damaged; San Juan's forward ballast tank was breached, but San Juan was able to surface and return to port. No personnel suffered any injuries.
In both 2001 and 2002, Kentucky's Gold Crew won first place in the United States Atlantic Fleet in the Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award Submarine Afloat Galley competition for outstanding food service.
In 2005, both the Blue and Gold Crews of USS Kentucky were appointed Kentucky Colonels by Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher.
Kentucky was awarded the Battle Efficiency Award (Battle "E") for Submarine Squadron 17 for 2006 and 2009.
Kentucky's Gold Crew was awarded a Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award Honorable Mention for food service in 2007.
Kentucky's Blue and Gold Crews were awarded the Omaha Trophy for service as the best ballistic missile submarine in 2009.
On 12 October 2011, the USS Kentucky had its periscope above water, but was hidden below the surface when it turned onto a new course that was blocked by the Totem Ocean ship Midnight Sun.The USS Kentcuky came into close contact of about 800 meteres with the freighter near B.C. at the Juan de Fuca Strait.[4]
On 19 October 2011, Commander Joseph Nosse was relieved of his Gold Crew command due to "inadequate leadership." [5]
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