USS Key West (SSN 722), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the third ship of the U.S. Navy to be named for Key West, Florida. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on August 13, 1981 and her keel was laid down on July 6, 1983. She was launched on July 20, 1985, sponsored by Mrs. Virginia Conn, and commissioned on September 12, 1987, with Cmdr. Warren Lipscomb, Jr. in command.

From October through December 1998, USS Key West deployed to the western Pacific. During the deployment, she participated in Foal Eagle '98, Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX), and a torpedo exercise. During this deployment, the Pearl Harbor-based attack submarine distinguished itself as the first submarine to launch and employ MK-48 ADCAP exercise torpedoes in foreign waters.

In September 2001, SSN 722 was on its way to Bahrain for liberty when notification of the terrorist attacks came. The ship was diverted immediately to the North Arabian Sea where it launched cruise missiles against Talibans in October. It participated in the first 75 days of Operation Enduring Freedom

January 24, 2003 USS Key West, commanded by Cmdr. Chuck Merkel, departed Naval Station Pearl Harbor for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism. For the first time since World War II, a submarine commanding officer is in the process of leading his crew through two consecutive combat deployments.

March 21, Thirty U.S. Navy and coalition warships, including USS Key West, currently assigned to Naval Forces Central Command launched Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAMs) during military operations to disarm Iraq.

July 24, SSN 722 returned to its homeport after a six-month underway period in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

November 10, 2005 USS Key West returned to Pearl Harbor from a six-month western Pacific deployment.

March 14, 2006 Cmdr. Thomas E. Ishee relieved Capt. Kenneth R. Sault as commanding officer of USS Key West during a change of command ceremony held onboard the sub in Naval Station Pearl Harbor. During Sault's tour, Key West completed an extensive Selected Restricted Availability (SRA), and a six-month deployment last year. The nuclear-powered submarine participated in numerous exercises in support of Fleet and Force Anti-Submarine Warfare readiness, including RIMPAC (Rim of the Pacific), Silent Fury I and II, LUNGFISH and Talisman Saber.

September 19, SSN 722 is currently off the coast of southern California participating in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), as part of the John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group Three.

February 28, 2007 USS Key West recently departed Yokosuka, Japan, after a scheduled port visit.

April 3, The Los Angeles-class attack submarine pulled to Sasebo, Japan, for a port call.

August 14, SSN 722 concluded its participation in Exercise Valiant Shield 2007 off the coast of Guam, during the joint photo exercise. The PHOTOEX featured 15 ships from three Carrier Strike Groups and 17 aircraft from Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps including a B-52 bomber.

August 28, USS Key West returned to Pearl Harbor after a seven-month deployment in the western Pacific.

March 7, 2008 Cmdr. Robert A. Koonce relieved Cmdr. Thomas E. Ishee as CO of the Key West in a ceremony at the USS Bowfin Museum.

June 16, The Key West finished its Docking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA) in Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard.

November 12, 2009 SSN 722 is currently participating in Annual Exercise 2009 with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

December 10, USS Key West returned home after a six-month western Pacific deployment.

July 29, 2010 The Key West began a two-year engineering overhaul (EOH) at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard (PHNSY).

October 22, Cmdr. Curtis B. Duncan relieved Cmdr. Robert A. Koonce as CO of the USS Key West during a change-of-command ceremony aboard the former battleship Missouri (BB 63).