The USS Ohio (SSBN 726) is the first Trident class nuclear powered fleet ballistic missile submarine and the fourth United States vessel to bear the name of the 17th state of the union.In the summer of 1981, sea trials were held to test the equipment and systems, and the submarine was delivered to the U.S. Navy on October 28, 1981. On November 11, the U.S.S. Ohio was commissioned. Capt. A. K. Thompson assumed command of the “Blue” Crew and Capt. A. F. Campbell assumed command of the “Gold”. Following Post Shakedown Availability (PSA) at Electric Boat Division, the Ohio left the Atlantic Ocean and transited to her new homeport, Bangor, Washington, by way of Cape Canaveral where she tested her missile launch systems and the Panama Canal, arriving on August 12, 1982. During August and September 1982, the first loadout of Trident C-4 missiles and a predeployment refit were conducted. Ohio and her Blue Crew departed on the first Trident Submarine Strategic Deterrent Patrol in October 1982 and returned on Dec. 10.
April 28, 1986 USS Ohio (Gold) successfully launched two Trident I (C4) missiles during a Follow on Operational Test. The Ohio completed the 50th Trident I patrol Nov. 22. April 17, 1989 SSBN 726 successfully launched two Trident I missiles in support of the 33nd Trident Follow on Operational Test. August 31, 1992 USS Ohio Gold Crew successfully launched two Trident I missiles during a Follow on CINC Evaluation Test. From July 1, 1993, to June 10, 1994, USS Ohio underwent engineered overhaul (EOH) at PSNS receiving extensive upgrades to sonar, fire control, and navigation systems. October 22, The Ohio Gold Crew successfully launched a Trident I (C4) DASO missile. The U.S.S. Ohio resumed strategic deterrent patrols on January 25, 1995, as part of Submarine Squadron Seventeen, Submarine Group Nine, Pacific Submarine Force. May 16, 1996 The Ohio successfully launched four Trident I missiles during a Follow on CINC Evaluation Test. December 9, 2001 USS Ohio successfully launched four C4 missiles during a Follow-on CINC Evaluation Test. Also successfully launched four missiles Dec. 18.
SSBN 726 has been out of service since October 1, 2002, for conversion to guided missile submarine class (SSGN) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. She began its engineered refueling overhaul (ERO) in November 2002 and began conversion work November 19, 2003. Four Ohio class strategic missile submarines, USS Ohio, USS Michigan (SSBN 727), USS Florida (SSBN 728), and USS Georgia (SSBN 729) have been selected for transformation into a new platform, designated SSGN. Twenty-two of the 24 missile tubes on each boat are being retrofitted to carry up to seven Tomahawk cruise missiles, for a maximum load out of 154 missiles per boat. The remaining two tubes are being converted into Lock-in/Lock-out chambers for use by Special Operations Forces (SOF). Each SSGN will be able to carry and support up to 66 Special Operation Forces for an extended period of time. These ships will have a specialized planning area, physical fitness equipment, and laser shooting ranges for use by the Operators. Further, SSGN will be able to carry two Advanced SEAL (Sea, Air, Land) Delivery Systems, two Dry Deck Shelters, or one of each using the lock-in/lock-out chambers as their docking sites. Another advantage of SSGNs’ size will be its ability to carry an increased payload. In the future, this capacity will allow for the launch and recovery of unmanned undersea vehicles (UUV). As new capabilities and equipment are developed, they can be inserted relatively easily into SSGNs thanks to its Open Architecture computing systems and the related ability to rapidly integrate new technologies and payloads. SSGN can also offer significant opportunities to serve as a test platform to develop future weapons, sensors and operational concepts.
December 19, 2005 USS Ohio (SSGN 726), commanded by Cmdr. Michael Cockey, returned to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Facility in Bremerton, Wash, after completing sea trials. February 7, 2006 USS Ohio returned to active service in a ceremony held at Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor. Annie Glenn, the ship’s sponsor, presented the crew a ship’s patch worn by Sen. John Glenn on his return to space in 1998. The patch was autographed by all seven astronauts aboard the shuttle and will now be displayed in the wardroom. October 26, The guided missile submarine returned home after becoming the first Ohio class ship to complete sea and hydrodynamic trials with recently installed dual dry deck shelters (DDS) for Special Operations Forces. November 20, USS Ohio pulled to Naval Station Pearl Harbor for a scheduled port visit. SSGN 726 is currently conducting training exercises and work ups in the Hawaiian islands in preparation for its maiden deployment next year. January 21, 2007 USS Ohio (Gold) Sailors, commanded by Capt. Andrew Hale, departed Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, for Pearl Harbor to conduct a crew swap with Ohio (Blue) crew. The Gold crew gathered at NBK’s liberty center before traveling to McCord Air Force Base to catch their plane to Hawaii. This is the first time in approximately 20 years that a submarine crew has done a crew swap in this fashion. Eventually, the submarine crews will fly out to Guam and swap about every three months, and the ship will return home approximately once a year. October 14, USS Ohio (Blue) departed homeport for its maiden deployment as a guided missile submarine to the western Pacific. January 10, 2008 SSGN 726 arrived to Apra Harbor, Guam, for a Crew Swap. The Ohio is scheduled to have three crew swaps and then return to Bangor, Wash. February 20, USS Ohio arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea, to participate in exercise Key Resolve/Foal Eagle, an annual combined/joint exercise involving forces from both the U.S. and Republic of Korea. October 16, The Ohio pulled to Yokosuka, Japan, for a routine port visit. November 6, Capt. R. Murray Gero Jr. relieved Capt. Christopher Ratliff as CO of USS Ohio (Blue) during a change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport. November 19, SSGN 726 completed its participation in Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 2008, between the U.S. Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. December 22, The Ohio (Gold) returned to Bangor, Wash., after a 14 month underway period. August 29, 2009 USS Ohio (Blue) arrived in Yokosuka for its first port visit after departing Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor for a scheduled 12-month deployment.
January 21, 2010 The guided missile submarine recently pulled to Apra Harbor, Guam, for a routine port call. February 19, Capt. Dixon K. Hicks relieved Capt. Dennis Carpenter as CO of USS Ohio (Gold) during a change of command ceremony at the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport. March 14, USS Ohio pulled to HMAS Stirling at Garden Island, marking the first port visit of an Ohio class submarine to an Australian port. June 25, SSGN 726 (Gold) recently pulled into Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, for a scheduled port call. September 17, Rear Adm. James Caldwell, Commander, Submarine Group 9 (CSG9), relieved of duty Capt. R. Murray Gero Jr. due to a “loss of confidence in his ability to command”. The relief occurred as a result of an investigation into allegations of inappropriate personal behavior that eroded good order and discipline. Cmdr. Theodore Schroeder, deputy commander of Submarine Squadron 19, assumed temporary command of USS Ohio. November 10, Capt. Brian N. Humm relieved Cmdr. Theodore Schroeder as CO of USS Ohio (Blue) during a change of command ceremony at Bangor.
May 1, 2011 The Ohio is currently at Naval Base Guam making preparations for the western Pacific deployment. July 13, USS Ohio (Gold) pulled into Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a routine port call. August 4, SSGN 726 conducted a live fire of a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM), while submerged near the Northern Mariana Islands, successfully hitting its aim point on the Farallon de Medinilla Island, in an established live fire training range, about 150 miles north of Guam. August 8, The Ohio pulled into Apra Harbor, Guam, for its voyage repair and crew swap period. October 1, USS Ohio (Blue) arrived in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, for a scheduled port visit. November 11, The guided-missile submarine recently pulled into Apra Harbor, Guam, to conduct maintenance. March 6, 2012 USS Ohio (Blue) moored at Naval Magazine Indian Island, Wash., to offload ordnance after recently completed the 14 month patrol. March 9, Capt. Rodney A. Mills relieved Capt. Dixon K. Hicks as CO of the Ohio (Gold) during a change of command ceremony at the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport. July 11, SSGN 726 completed a 16-week Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS&IMF). October 3, USS Ohio (Blue) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after a four week port call. October 24, The Ohio arrived at Busan Naval Base, Republic of Korea, for a five-day port visit. Participated in biennial exercise Keen Sword 2013 from Nov. 5-16. December 14, Capt. George P. Norman relieved Capt. Brian N. Humm as CO of the SSGN 726 (Blue) during a change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Undersea Museum.
March 22, 2013 USS Ohio (Gold) moored outboard the USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) at Alava Pier in Subic Bay for a Fleet Maintenance Availability (FMAV). April 11, SSGN 726 pulled into Apra Harbor, Guam, for its voyage repair and crew swap period. September 20, The Ohio (Gold) recently arrived in Guam for a routine port call. October 15, The guided missile submarine recently pulled into Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for a brief port call. October 2?, USS Ohio returned to homeport after a 14 month deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet AoR. January 17, 2014 Capt. Michael D. Lewis relieved Capt. Rodney A. Mills as CO of SSGN 726 (Gold) during a change of command ceremony at the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport, Washington. March 29, The Ohio recently arrived in Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego, Calif., for emergent repairs. July 7, Capt. Broderick V. Berkhout relieved Capt. George P. Norman as CO of the USS Ohio (Blue) during a change of command ceremony at the Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor’s Deterrent Park. June 26, 2015 USS Ohio moored at Ammunition Pier, Naval Magazine Indian Island in Port Townsend, Washington, for ammo onload following a 12 month Major Maintenance Period (MMP) at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. August 1?,
USS Ohio (Blue) departed Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor for its fifth western Pacific patrol as a guided missile submarine. August 29, SSGN 726 pulled into Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, for a routine port call. November 14, The Ohio moored outboard the USS Emory S. Land at Sepanggar Naval Base in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, for a four day Fleet Maintenance Availability (FMAV). December 1, USS Ohio (Blue) recently moored at Bravo Wharf in Apra Harbor, Guam, for its voyage repair and a crew swap period. March 22, 2016 USS Ohio (Gold) moored at Alava Pier in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, for a scheduled port visit. April 12, The guided missile submarine recently pulled into Apra Harbor for its voyage repair and a crew swap period. April 20, Capt. Gerald N. Miranda, Jr., relieved Capt. Michael D. Lewis as CO of the USS Ohio (Gold) during a change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor chapel. June 30, The Ohio (Blue) moored at Berth 13S in Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, for a week long port visit; Moored at Berth 1 in Busan Naval Base, ROK, on July 13. September 1, SSGN 726 recently moored at Bravo Wharf in Apra Harbor, Guam, for a four-week voyage repair and a crew swap period. November 3, USS Ohio (Gold) made a brief stop off White Beach Naval Facility in Okinawa, Japan, for personnel transfer. November 10, Capt. David S. Soldow relieved Capt. Broderick V. Berkhout as CO of the USS Ohio (Blue) during a change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor chapel. January 2017 USS Ohio (Gold) moored at Bravo Wharf in Apra Harbor for its voyage repair and a crew swap period. March 23, USS Ohio (Blue) moored at Ammunition Pier, Naval Magazine Indian Island following an extended 19-month patrol. April 4, The Ohio moored at Pier 5, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for a Major Maintenance Period (MMP); Entered the Dry Dock #2 on April 25. March 7, 2018 Capt. Andrew J. Kimsey relieved Capt. David S. Soldow as CO of the SSGN 726 (Blue) during a change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport, Wash. August 6, Capt. William C. Johnson relieved Capt. Gerald N. Miranda, Jr., as CO of the Ohio (Gold) during a change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Undersea Museum. December, USS Ohio undocked and moored at Pier 5 on Puget Sound Naval Shipyard; Completed availability on Aug. 14, 2019. September 13, The Ohio moored at Pier B12/13 on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; Underway on Nov. 16; Moored at Pier B12/13 again on Nov. 20. January 21, 2020 Capt. Brian G. Freck relieved Capt. Andrew J. Kimsey as CO of the Ohio (Blue) during a change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor chapel. September 19, USS Ohio departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after piersided for 10 months; Moored at Bravo Wharf in Apra Harbor, Guam, from Oct. 9- Dec. ?. January 4, 2021 The Ohio (Gold), commanded by Capt. Kurt D. Balagna, made a brief stop in Apra Harbor for personnel transfer; Brief stop in Apra Harbor again on Jan. 24. February 2, SSGN 726 participated in an integration exercise, off the coast of Okinawa, with the Marines from Force Reconnaissance Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF); Moored at Bravo Wharf in Apra Harbor from Feb. ?-9 and June 1-4. July 1, USS Ohio (Blue) recently moored at Bravo Wharf in Apra Harbor, Guam; Underway on July 19; Moored at Bravo Wharf again from Aug. ?-16; Moored at Pier B12/13 in Pearl Harbor from Nov. 18- Dec. 11; Brief stop approximately 1 n.m. off the coast of Blake Island in Mancherster, Wash., on Dec. 20. December 20, USS Ohio moored at Berth 5, Delta Pier on Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton following a 28 month deployment.
