USS Florida Continues SSGN Transformation with New CO

By Chief Journalist (SW/AW) Mark O. Piggott, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- Cmdr. Gregory M. Ott relieved Cmdr. David M. Duryea as commanding officer, USS Florida (SSGN 728), April 16 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

This was another milestone in Florida’s transformation from ballistic missile submarine to guided-missile submarine.

“Historic Norfolk Naval Shipyard is the nation’s first public shipyard, and no stranger to naval transformation,” said Vice Adm. Kirkland H. Donald, commander, Naval Submarine Forces. “It has been no easy task (for Duryea) taking Florida from her role as an SSBN, combining crews, accomplishing the first launch of a Tomahawk cruise missile from an Ohio-class submarine missile tube, completing the Chief of Naval Operations' first Sea Trial Experiment, ‘Giant Shadow,’ and bringing his submarine into the shipyard for a re-fueling overhaul and conversion,” Donald continued.

“But through his keen tactical expertise, astute leadership, unwavering standards and personal concern for the crew, Dave was worthy of the task, and this magnificent crew rose to the challenge.”

Florida entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard in July 2003 to undergo a refueling and conversion from an SSBN to an SSGN. A transformational submarine, both physically and conceptually, SSGNs could operate in otherwise inaccessible areas to provide unique capabilities.

This includes carrying up to 154 cruise missiles that can be launched in rapid succession, 66 Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel, a swimmer lock-out shelter, and an Advanced SEAL Delivery System (ASDS). These features would provide a transformational degree of firepower in a survivable and virtually undetectable platform that can remain on station indefinitely.

“Greg, I envy you for your opportunity to take her to sea as an SSGN,” Duryea said. “You are the perfect guy for this assignment, and I wish you all the best.”

A native of Wakefield, N.J., Ott joined the Navy in 1985 after graduating from Lehigh University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. His previous commands include USS Francis Scott Key (SSBN 657), USS Providence (SSN 719) and USS Charlotte (SSN 766), where he served as the submarine’s executive officer.

Ott knows the road ahead for Florida and her crew is filled with new challenges for the future. “The engineers and submarine designers are breathing new life into Florida, and giving us a brand new kind of ship--the SSGN,” Ott said.

“It’s up to us to plot the course for how we will use this new capability," Ott said. "It’s up to us to develop and implement the routine for taking Florida to sea.”

For related news, visit the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/sublant.

030606-N-0000X-005 Washington, D.C. (Jun. 6, 2003) -- Artist concept of the SSGN conversion program. Four Ohio-class strategic missile submarines USS Ohio (SSBN 726), USS Michigan (SSBN 727) USS Florida (SSBN 728), and USS Georgia (SSBN 729) have been selected for transformation into a new platform, designated SSGN or Tactical Trident. The SSGNs will have the capability to support and launch up to 154 Tomahawk missiles, a significant increase in capacity as compared to other platforms. The 22 missile tubes will also provide the capability to carry other payloads, such as unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and special forces equipment. This new platform will also have the capability to carry and support more than 66 Navy SEALs (Sea, Air and Land) and insert them clandestinely into potential conflict areas. U.S. Navy graphic. (RELEASED)

030116-N-XXXXX-001 At sea with USS Florida (SSBN 728) Jan. 16, 2003 -- USS Florida launches a Tomahawk cruise missile during Giant Shadow in the waters off the coast of the Bahamas. Giant Shadow is a Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)/Naval Submarine Forces experiment to test the capabilities of the Navy’s future guided missile submarines. Florida is one of four Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) being converted to guided missile submarines (SSGN). Giant Shadow is the first experiment under the “Sea Trial” initiative of the Chief of Naval Operations’ Sea Power 21 vision and the first in a series of experiments before converting and overhauling the four SSBNs to SSGNs. The SSGNs will have the capability to support and launch up to 154 Tomahawk missiles, a significant increase in capacity as compared to other platforms. U.S. Navy photo. (RELEASED)

030114-N-XXXXX-001 At sea with USS Florida (SSBN 728) Jan. 14, 2003 -- USS Florida launches a Tomahawk cruise missile during Giant Shadow in the waters off the coast of the Bahamas. Giant Shadow is a Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)/Naval Submarine Forces experiment to test the capabilities of the Navy’s future guided-missile submarines. Florida is one of four Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) being converted to guided missile submarines (SSGN). Giant Shadow is the first experiment under the “Sea Trial” initiative of the Chief of Naval Operations’ Sea Power 21 vision and the first in a series of experiments before converting and overhauling the four SSBNs to SSGNs. The SSGNs will have the capability to support and launch up to 154 Tomahawk missiles, a significant increase in capacity as compared to other platforms. U.S. Navy photo. (RELEASED)

030122-N-6208N-005 At sea with USS Florida (SSGN 728) Jan. 22, 2003 -- USS Florida sails off the coast of the Bahamas during "Giant Shadow." Giant Shadow is a Naval Sea Systems Command/Naval Submarine Forces experiment to test the capabilities of the Navy's future guided-missile submarines. Florida is one of four Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines (SSBN) to be converted to guided missile submarines (SSGN). Giant Shadow is the first experiment under the "Sea Trial" initiative of the Chief of Naval Operations' Sea Power 21 vision and the first in a series of experiments before converting and overhauling the four SSBNs to SSGNs. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist David Nagle. (RELEASED)

021219-N-2903K-001 Norfolk, Va. (Dec. 19, 2002) -- USS Florida (SSBN 728) makes its way to its new homeport at Naval Station Norfolk. Florida is one of four Ohio-class submarines on the list to be converted to conventional-weapon (SSGN) submarines. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class B.L. Keller. (RELEASED)

021219-N-2903K-002 Norfolk, Va. (Dec. 19, 2002) -- USS Florida (SSBN 728) makes its way to its new homeport at Naval Station Norfolk. Florida is one of four Ohio-class submarines on the list to be converted to conventional-weapons. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class B.L. Keller. (RELEASED)

970508-N-0001D-001 OAHU, Hawaii (May 8, 1997) -- Crewmembers aboard the ballistic missile submarine USS Florida (SSBN 728) prepare to cast-off from the fleet tug boat USS Aukele (YTB 814) near the coast of Oahu, Hawaii. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Diamond. (RELEASED)

SSGN, eh? As usual, it appears that everything old is new again. The original four SSG and one SSGN submarines - USS Tunny (SSG 282), USS Barbero (SSG 317), USS Grayback (SSG 574), USS Growler (SSG 577) and USS Halibut (SSGN 587) made the first nuclear deterrent patrols. They each had a giant hatch in front, and when it came time to fire the nuclear Regulus missile, they would surface, open the hatch, and the Regulus would fly. The missile would be directed through the midpoint of its flight by the USS Triton (SSRN 586), the only US submarine ever built with two reactors. As the missile neared its target, control would be taken over by one of the stealthy attack submarines of the Skipjack class, USS Skipjack (SSN 585), USS Scamp (SSN588), USS Scorpion (SSN 589, lost at sea May 21 1968), USS Sculpin (SSN 590), USS Shark (SSN 591), and my USS Snook (SSN 592). When I came on board the Snook in 1971, the Training Aid Booklet that we used to learn the systems (so we could become qualified in submarines) still called the Radio Room the "Missile Room," reflecting the fact that it was used to guide the Regulus in to its final destination. This story is not told on any website that I've ever seen. Maybe one of the books written about it has the full account of the Regulus program.

At Sub Base Pearl Harbor there is a building that contains memorabilia from all of the US submarines that didn't return from patrol during WWII. Outside that building is a Japanese Shaitan manned torpedo, the top part of a Japanese submarine, a Regulus missile, and the plaques from every submarine involved in the Regulus program. Or at least they were there in 1976. All of those subs had defiant sayings on their plaques. I remember that one of them was "Illegitimi Non Carborundum," which of course is "Don't let the bastards wear you down." My own submarine, the Snook, had the motto of "Festina Lente," which in Latin was "Make Haste Slowly," or, as usual in the military, "Hurry Up and Wait."

Being a submariner was usually an unmitigated pain in the butt. And Lord help me, I do miss it so desperately.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.