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USS Kentucky (SSBN-737)
Encyclopedia
USS Kentucky (SSBN-737), is a United States Navy
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
.
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.
, Kentucky collided with the attack submarine while the two submarines were conducting a joint training drill prior to deployment. Kentuckys rudder was damaged; San Juans 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, Kentuckys 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 Colonel
s by Kentucky Governor
Ernie Fletcher
.
Kentucky was awarded the Battle Efficiency Award
(Battle "E") for Submarine Squadron 17
for 2006 and 2009.
Kentuckys Gold Crew was awarded a Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award Honorable Mention for food service in 2007.
Kentuckys Blue and Gold Crews were awarded the Omaha Trophy for service as the best ballistic missile submarine in 2009.
On 19 October 2011, Commander Joseph Nosse was relieved of his Gold Crew command due to "inadequate leadership."
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
ballistic missile submarine
Ballistic missile submarine
A ballistic missile submarine is a submarine equipped to launch ballistic missiles .-Description:Ballistic missile submarines are larger than any other type of submarine, in order to accommodate SLBMs such as the Russian R-29 or the American Trident...
which has been in commission since 1991. She is the third U.S. Navy ship to be named for Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, the 15th state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
.
Construction and commissioning
The contract to build Kentucky was awarded to the Electric BoatElectric boat
While a significant majority of water vessels are powered by diesel engines, with sail power and gasoline engines also remaining popular, boats powered by electricity have been used for over 120 years. Electric boats were very popular from the 1880s until the 1920s, when the internal combustion...
Division of General Dynamics
General Dynamics
General Dynamics Corporation is a U.S. defense conglomerate formed by mergers and divestitures, and as of 2008 it is the fifth largest defense contractor in the world. Its headquarters are in West Falls Church , unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, in the Falls Church area.The company has...
Corporation in Groton
Groton, Connecticut
Groton is a town located on the Thames River in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 39,907 at the 2000 census....
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, on 13 August 1985 and her keel
Keel
In boats and ships, keel can refer to either of two parts: a structural element, or a hydrodynamic element. These parts overlap. As the laying down of the keel is the initial step in construction of a ship, in British and American shipbuilding traditions the construction is dated from this event...
was laid down there on 18 December 1987. She was launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
on 11 August 1990, sponsored by Carolyn Pennebaker Hopkins, who used a custom blend of Kentucky bourbon whiskey
Bourbon whiskey
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey – a barrel-aged distilled spirit made primarily from corn. The name of the spirit derives from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky . It has been produced since the 18th century...
, mixed for the occasion, rather than the traditional bottle of champagne to christen Kentucky. Kentucky was commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
on 13 July 1991, with Captain
Captain (naval)
Captain is the name most often given in English-speaking navies to the rank corresponding to command of the largest ships. The NATO rank code is OF-5, equivalent to an army full colonel....
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.
Service history
On 19 March 1998 south of Long Island, New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Kentucky collided with the attack submarine while the two submarines were conducting a joint training drill prior to deployment. Kentuckys rudder was damaged; San Juans 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, Kentuckys Gold Crew won first place in the United States Atlantic Fleet in the Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award
Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award
The Captain Edward F. Ney Award for food service excellence is given to Galleys which earn a five-star rating from a Navy evaluation team.The Secretary of the Navy and the International Food Service Executives Association established the Capt. Edward F. Ney Memorial Awards Program in 1958...
Submarine Afloat Galley competition for outstanding food service.
In 2005, both the Blue and Gold Crews of USS Kentucky were appointed Kentucky Colonel
Kentucky colonel
Kentucky colonel is the highest title of honor bestowed by the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Commissions for Kentucky colonels are given by the Governor and the Secretary of State to individuals in recognition of noteworthy accomplishments and outstanding service to a community, state or the nation...
s by Kentucky Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
Ernie Fletcher
Ernie Fletcher
Ernest Lee "Ernie" Fletcher is a Republican politician from the U.S. state of Kentucky. In 1999, he was elected to the first of three consecutive terms in the United States House of Representatives; he resigned in 2003 after being elected the 60th governor of Kentucky and served in that office...
.
Kentucky was awarded the Battle Efficiency Award
Battle Efficiency Award
The Battle Effectiveness Award , commonly known as the Battle "E", is awarded annually to the small number of U.S...
(Battle "E") for Submarine Squadron 17
Submarine Squadron 17
Submarine Squadron 17 is a squadron of submarines of the United States Navy based Bangor, Washington under the command of Captain David S. Ratte. The submarines that make up SUBRON 17 include:-See also:...
for 2006 and 2009.
Kentuckys Gold Crew was awarded a Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award Honorable Mention for food service in 2007.
Kentuckys Blue and Gold Crews were awarded the Omaha Trophy for service as the best ballistic missile submarine in 2009.
On 19 October 2011, Commander Joseph Nosse was relieved of his Gold Crew command due to "inadequate leadership."