USS GEORGIA
SSGN 729
  
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USS Georgia (SSBN 729) is the fourth Ohio-class nuclear powered fleet ballistic missile submarine and the third ship to bear the name of this grand state, one of the thirteen original states of the Union. The keel laying ceremony was presided over by First Lady Rosalyn Carter, wife of President Jimmy Carter, both Georgia natives. The ceremony took place the same day that the USS Ohio, the lead ship of the class, was launched. On November 5, 1982, SSBN 729 was launched and christened by Mrs. Sheila Watkins, wife of Admiral J.D. Watkins, USN, Chief of Naval Operations. The Georgia was commissioned at Naval Underwater Systems Center, New London, CT., February 11, 1984. In November USS Georgia (Gold) arrived at its new homeport of Bangor, Washington.

April 1, 1985 USS Georgia (Blue) returned to Bangor after completing its first, two-month, strategic deterrent patrol.

May 20, Capt. Larry J. Kramer relieved Capt. Arland W. Kuester as CO of the Blue Crew.

In early September, the fourth Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine launched two C-4 missiles as part of Follow-on Operational Test.

October 16, SSBN 729 (Blue) returned to homeport after completing its 3rd, two-and-a-half month, strategic deterrent patrol.

March 22, 1986 The tugboat Secota (YTM-417) lost power and collided with the the USS Georgia (Blue), that departed for 5th patrol on Feb. 18, near Midway Island. Ten crewman were rescued, but two drowned. USS Georgia received minor damage and Secota sank.

August 29, USS Georgia (Blue) departed Bangor, Wash., for its 7th strategic deterrent patrol.

June 26, 1987 Capt. P. H. English relieved Capt. Larry J. Kramer as commanding officer of the SSBN 729 (Blue).

September ?, Capt. J. M. Rushing relieved Capt. T. W. Turner as CO of the Gold Crew.

March 18, 1991 USS Georgia (Blue) returned to NSB Bangor after completing its 23rd, two-and-a-half month, strategic deterrent patrol.

September ?, Capt. A. E. Lawver relieved Capt. A. W. Bower, III as CO of USS Georgia (Gold).

October 9, SSBN 729 (Blue) returned home after completing its 25th, two-and-a-half month, patrol.

November 8, Capt. Richard D. Raaz relieved Capt. John H. Almy, II as CO of the Georgia (Blue).

April 26, 1992 USS Georgia (Blue) returned to homeport after completing its 27th, two-month, strategic deterrent patrol.

November 25, USS Georgia (Blue) returned to Bangor after completing its 29th, two-and-a-half month, strategic deterrent patrol.

July 9, 1993 SSBN 729 (Blue) returned home after completing its 31st, two-and-a-half month, strategic deterrent patrol.

January 20, 1994 USS Georgia (Blue) returned to Naval Submarine Base Bangor after completing its 33rd, two-month, strategic deterrent patrol.

January 29, Capt. R. H. Stoll relieved Capt. Richard D. Raaz as commanding officer of the Blue Crew during a ceremony at the Consolidated Mess Open facilities.

March 28, The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine successfully launched four Trident I (C4) missiles during the first Pacific Fleet Follow-on CINC Evaluation Test in the Atlantic Ocean.

April 27, USS Georgia (Gold) returned to Bangor after completing its 34th, two-month, strategic deterrent patrol.

August 11, USS Georgia (Blue) returned to Bangor after completing its 35th, two-month, strategic deterrent patrol.

November 25, SSBN 729 (Gold) returned to homeport after completing its 36th, 10-week, strategic deterrent patrol.

March 9, 1995 USS Georgia (Blue) returned to Bangor after completing its 37th, two-and-a-half month, strategic deterrent patrol.

April 26, The fourth Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine arrived in San Francisco for a six-day port visit.

June 26, USS Georgia (Gold) returned to NSB Bangor after completing its 38th, two-and-a-half month, strategic deterrent patrol.

August 22, Capt. D. A. Roberts relieved Capt. J. C. Bathgate as commanding officer of the Gold Crew.

October 4, SSBN 729 (Blue) returned home after more than a two-month strategic deterrent patrol.

January 18, 1996 USS Georgia (Gold) returned to Bangor after completing its 40th, 10-week, strategic deterrent patrol.

May 25, USS Georgia (Gold) departed homeport for a two-month strategic deterrent patrol.

February 13, 1997 USS Georgia (Gold) returned to Naval Submarine Base Bangor after a 45-day strategic deterrent patrol #44.

October 20, USS Georgia (Gold) returned to Bangor after completing its 45th, three-month, strategic deterrent patrol.

February 2, 1998 USS Georgia (Blue) returned home after completing its 46th strategic deterrent patrol.

April 3, Cmdr. Richard H. Moyer relieved Capt. Donald W. Randall as CO of the Blue Crew.

September 11, USS Georgia (Blue) returned to Bangor after completing its 48th, two-and-a-half month, strategic deterrent patrol.

December 19, USS Georgia (Gold) returned to homeport after completing its 49th, eight-week, strategic deterrent patrol.

March 26, 1999 Cmdr. David T. Norris relieved Capt. James M. Shelton as commanding officer of the SSBN 729 (Gold).

April 23, USS Georgia (Blue) returned to Bangor after a nearly three-month strategic deterrent patrol.

August 12, USS Georgia (Gold) returned to Bangor, Wash., after completing its 51st, two-and-a-half month, strategic deterrent patrol.

December 2, USS Georgia (Blue) returned home after completing its 52nd, 10-week, strategic deterrent patrol.

March 23, 2000 USS Georgia (Gold) returned to Bangor after two-and-a-half month patrol.

October 2?, SSBN 729 (Gold) returned to homeport after completing its 55th, two-month, strategic deterrent patrol.

June 14, 2001 USS Georgia (Gold) returned to NSB Bangor after completing its 57th, ten-week, strategic deterrent patrol.

January 24, 2002 USS Georgia (Gold) returned to Bangor after completing its 59th, two-and-a-half month, strategic deterrent patrol.

August 30, USS Georgia (Gold), commanded by Cmdr. John W. Tammen, Jr., returned home after completing its 61st, two-and-a-half month, strategic deterrent patrol.

April 2, 2003 USS Georgia (Gold) returned to homeport after a 10-week strategic deterrent patrol #63.

August 8, SSBN 729 (Blue) returned to Bangor after completing its 64th, three-month, strategic deterrent patrol.

August 11, Cmdr. John W. Tammen, Jr., relieved Cmdr. Christopher S. Ratliff as the commanding officer of the combined crew.

October 30, USS Georgia (Gold) returned to Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor from its last and 65th, seven-week, strategic deterrent patrol marking the end of its career as a Fleet Ballistic Missile submarine.

Following Georgia's return to Strategic Weapons Facility, Pacific (SWFPAC) she was involved in an accident that involved one of its Trident I C4 missiles. According to a report in the Washington Times dated March 11, 2004, on Nov. 7, 2003, while the SLBM was being lifted out of its tube by a crane, the nose cone struck a ladder that had mistakenly been left inside the tube. The impact resulted in a 9-inch gash that damaged the cone and came within inches of hitting one of the missile's multiple warheads beneath the metal shroud. Following the incident, the commanding officer of SWFPAC was relieved from command.

November 24, 2004 USS Georgia (SSGN 729) arrived at its new homeport of Norfolk, Virginia. Four Ohio-class strategic missile submarines, USS Ohio (SSBN 726), USS Michigan (SSBN 727), USS Georgia (SSBN 728), and USS Georgia have been selected for transformation into a new platform, designated SSGN.

December 20, Cmdr. Rodney E. Hutton relieved Cmdr. John W. Tammen Jr. as CO of the US Georgia (Green) during a a change-of-command ceremony held at DeVary Hall, Naval Station Norfolk.

February 1, 2005 USS Georgia entered the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. She is the last of four Ohio-class submarines to undergo conversion to SSGN.

December 15, 2007 USS Georgia arrived at its new homeport of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Kings Bay, Ga., after leaving Norfolk Naval Shipyards Nov. 29, following the ship's conversion from a ballistic missile to a guided-missile submarine.

January 11, 2008 Capt. Brian McILvaine became the new commanding officer of USS Georgia during the ceremony held in Kings Bay.

March 28, USS Georgia (SSGN 729) returned to active service during the ceremony held in Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.

November 24, The guided-missile submarine returned to homeport after a pre-deployment testing.

July 22, 2009 USS Georgia embarked more than 40 friends and family members in Port Canaveral, Fla., for an overnight tiger cruise.

August 6, USS Georgia (Blue), commanded by Capt. Brian McILvaine, departed Kings Bay for its first operational deployment, after undergoing conversion to SSGN, to the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility. During the twelve-month underway period, the blue crew will rotate duties every three months with the gold crew in Diego Garcia.

August 25, SSGN 729 pulled to Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, for a routine port call. The Georgia departed Naples, Italy, Aug. 22.

September 28, USS Georgia departed Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) at Hidd, Bahrain, after a four-day port visit.

July 6, 2010 The Georgia (Gold) arrived in Souda Bay, Crete, for a routine port visit.

August 7, USS Georgia returned to homeport after completing its first 12-month deployment as a guided-missile submarine.

August 9, Capt. Michael K. Cockey relieved Capt. Michael W. Brown as CO of the Georgia (Gold) during a change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.

September 5, 2011 USS Georgia arrived at Navy Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia for routine maintenance and a crew exchange.

January 10, 2012 Capt. Daniel G. Christofferson relieved Capt. John K. McDowell as CO of the Georgia (Blue) during a change-of-command ceremony at Diego Garcia.

May 18, Capt. Rhett R. Jaehn relieved Capt. Michael K. Cockey as CO of SSGN 729 (Gold) during a change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay chapel.

July 15, USS Georgia (Blue) returned to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay after a 14-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet AoR.

May 16, 2013 USS Georgia (Blue) arrived at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay for a routine port call. The ship recently departed Kings Bay for its third SSGN patrol.

August 13, The Georgia (Blue) arrived in Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Teritory, for routine maintenance and a crew exchange; Transited Suez Canal northbound on Sept. 14.?

December 13, SSGN 729 (Gold) moored outboard the USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) in Diego Garcia for a five-week Fleet Maintenance Availability (FMAV) and to conduct crew exchange.

January 10, 2014 Capt. William J. Breitfelder relieved Capt. Daniel G. Christofferson as CO of the USS Georgia (Blue) during a change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay chapel.

April 16, The Georgia (Blue) recently arrived in Diego Garcia for routine maintenance and a crew exchange.

June 13, Capt. Michael G. Badorf relieved Capt. Rhett R. Jaehn as CO of the USS Georgia (Gold) during a change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.

September 29, USS Georgia (Gold) returned to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay after more than a 17-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

August 14, 2015 Capt. David A. Adams relieved Capt. William J. Breitfelder as CO of the SSGN 729 (Blue) during a change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay chapel.

October 31, SSGN 729 (Blue) departed Kings Bay for a routine training off the coast of Florida after an extensive refit period.

November 25, USS Georgia struck a buoy #23 in the channel near Fernandina Beach, Florida, while returning to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.

December ?, The Georgia entered the dry-dock at Trident Refit Facility (TRF) for a damage assessment.

January 4, 2016 Rear Adm. Randy B. Crites, Commander, Submarine Group 10 relieved of duty Capt. David Adams due to a "loss of confidence in his ability to command." Capt. William Breitfelder, deputy commander of Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 16, assumed temporary command of the USS Georgia (Blue).

March 3, USS Georgia (Gold) departed Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay for its fourth SSGN patrol.

May 8, The Georgia transited the Suez Canal southbound, escorted by USS Porter (DDG 78).

May 23, SSGN 729 recently moored at Bravo Wharf, Navy Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia for a three-week upkeep and a crew exchange.

October ?, USS Georgia (Blue) moored at Bravo Wharf, Diego Garcia for upkeep and a crew exchange.

February ?, 2017 Capt. Douglas A. Jordan relieved Capt. Michael G. Badorf as commanding officer of the USS Georgia (Gold).

March 20, 2018 The Georgia (Gold) transited the Suez Canal northbound, escorted by USS Laboon (DDG 58).

March 23, Capt. Louis J. Springer relieved Capt. George Perez, Jr, as CO of the USS Georgia (Blue) during a change-of-command ceremony on Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.

March 28, USS Georgia conducted an emergency medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) of a Sailor that lost his hand in an accident, on Wednesday early morning, while the submarine was underway approximately 50 n.m. southeast of Cartagena, Spain. He was transferred to SAR boat Salvamar Mimosa and later airlifted by helicopter to a hospital.

April 12, USS Georgia moored at Explosive Handling Wharf #2 on Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay following an extended 25-month patrol.

March 15, 2019 Capt. Robert K. Peters relieved Capt. Douglas A. Jordan as CO of the SSGN 729 (Gold) during a change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay chapel.

March 22, The Georgia undocked from Trident Refit Facility (TRF) following an extended refit period.

March 6, 2020 USS Georgia (Gold) returned to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay after underway for routine operations.

May 14, Capt. Patrick B. Clark relieved Capt. Louis J. Springer as CO of the Georgia (Blue) during a change-of-command ceremony on board the sub.

July 1?, USS Georgia (Blue) departed Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay for its fifth SSGN patrol.

August 9, The Georgia made a brief stop off Rota, Spain, for spare parts; Transited the Suez Canal southbound, escorted by USS Sterett (DDG 104), on Aug. 17.?

September 25, USS Georgia moored at Bravo Wharf on Navy Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia for upkeep and a crew exchange.

December 21, USS Georgia transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound, escorted by USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and USS Port Royal (CG 73); Moored at Berth 6, Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) in Hidd, Bahrain, from Dec. 23-27.

February 14, 2021 The guided-missile submarine moored at Berth 5, KBSP in Bahrain for a four-day port call.?

May 10, USS Georgia transited the Strait of Hormuz northbound, escorted by USS Monterey (CG 61); Moored at Berth 5, KBSP from May 12-19.

July 1, Capt. Jesse J. Zimbauer relieved Capt. Robert K. Peters as CO of the Georgia (Gold) during a change-of-command ceremony at the WW II memorial pavilion on Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.

January 12, 2022 USS Georgia made a brief stop in Souda Bay, Greece, for supplies; Brief stop off the coast of Limassol, Cyprus, for personnel transfer on Jan. 15; Moored at Berth K14 in Souda Bay from Feb. 12-1?.

April 13, USS Georgia moored at Berth 50, South Mole in Her Majesty's Naval Base (HMNB) Gibraltar, British overseas teritory, for a nine-day port call; Moored at Berth K14 in Souda Bay on May 1.?

May 28, Capt. Geoffry W. Patterson relieved Capt. Patrick B. Clark as CO of the Georgia (Blue) during a pierside ceremony in Souda Bay, Greece.

July 6, USS Georgia moored at SSBN Jetty on HMNB Clyde in Faslane, Scotland, for a three-day port call; Brief stop off Gourock, Scotland, on July 23; Brief stop off the coast of Torshavn, Faroe Islands, for personnel transfer on Aug. 25; Moored at SSBN Jetty in HMNB Clyde from Aug. 28- Sept. 2.

September 22, USS Georgia moored at Explosive Handling Wharf #1 on Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay following an extended 26-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet AoR.

June 2, 2023 Capt. Christopher Osborn relieved Capt. Jesse J. Zimbauer as CO of the Georgia (Gold) during a change-of-command ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay chapel.

January 12, 2024 Rear Adm. Thomas R. Buchanan, Commander, Submarine Group (CSG) 10 relieved of duty Capt. Geoffry W. Patterson due to a "loss of confidence in his ability to command."

January ?, USS Georgia moored at Trident Wharf in Port Canaveral, Florida; Underway on Jan. 24; Moored at Trident Wharf again on Feb. 2.

May 10, Rear Adm. Robert E. Wirth relieved Rear Adm. Thomas R. Buchanan as Commander, Submarine Group (CSG) 10 during a change-of-command ceremony on board the Georgia at Explosive Handling Wharf.

May ?, USS Georgia departed Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay for its sixth SSGN patrol.

June 5, The Georgia made a brief stop in Souda Bay, Greece, for personnel transfer; Brief stop off Limassol, Cyprus, on June 28; Moored at Berth K14 in Souda Bay for a brief stop on Aug. 5; Brief stop in Souda Bay for personnel transfer on Aug. 19 and Sept. 3; Transited the Suez Canal southbound, escorted by USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112), on Sept. 9.