KINGS BAY, Ga. (May 9, 2020) The Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728) returns to its homeport, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia. The ship was forward deployed for more than 800 days, providing the U.S. Navy with one of the most versatile and clandestine platforms in the fleet. Guided-missile submarines are capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles and host up to 66 Special Operation Forces. Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay is homeport to all East Coast Ohio-class submarines. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ashley Berumen)
Sea Power: SSGN USS Florida Returns From 800-Day Deployment
ARLINGTON, Va. — A U.S. Navy nuclear-powered Ohio-class guided-missile submarine has returned from a deployment lasting more than 800 days, or 30 months, the Navy said.
“USS Florida (SSGN 728) returned to its homeport of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, May 9, after operating forward-deployed for more than two years supporting the U.S. Africa, Central and European Combatant Commands,” said Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ashley Berumen, Commander, Submarine Group 10 Public Affairs, in a May 13 release.
The impressive length of the deployment took two crews, alternating in operating the submarine. The submarine sailed more than 98,000 nautical miles during the deployment.
Like the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines, the Ohio-class guided-missile submarines have two crews, Blue and Gold, that alternate periodically in operating the submarine.
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Update: Video/Pics: USS Florida returns to Kings Bay after 800+ days deployed (American Military News)
WNU Editor: Two different crews alternated in operating the sub. But 800 days forward deployed. That is impressive.
