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SOCOM Visits USS Ohio

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080214-05
Release Date: 2/14/2008 10:09:00 AM

From Commander, Submarine Group 7 Public Affairs

APRA HARBOR, Guam (NNS) -- During a brief stop for personnel transfer, Adm. Eric T. Olson, commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, visited the guide-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) in Apra Harbor, Feb. 4, to see for himself the fully operational deployed capabilities of the guided missile and special operations forces (SOF) platform.

Olson also met with members of the SOF team who are deployed on Ohio to discuss the successful integration of the significant covert capabilities unique to the SSGN.

Ohio is completing the first regular scheduled voyage repair period of a one-year deployment in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. During the year-long deployment, Ohio will conduct a brief voyage repair and crew swap at regularly scheduled intervals of approximately three months.

Ohio is the lead ship of the Ohio class trident ballistic missile submarines and the first in its class to be converted from a ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) to a guided-missile submarine (SSGN).

The approximately $1-billion-per-boat conversion gives the SSGN additional clandestine capability and strike capability, in the form of 154 Tomahawk missiles. Twenty-two missile tubes on the platform allow the submarine to host unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned undersea vehicles, in addition to the Tomahawks.

"While other submarines can carry Tomahawks and deploy special forces teams, the Ohio class SSGN can carry significantly more of both, and for a much longer sustained period," said Capt. Andrew Hale, commanding officer (Ohio Gold).

Ohio is much more than just a big fast attack submarine. Its size and capabilities ensures that an increased number of SOF personnel can remain on board, in shape and ready to operate for significantly longer periods than before.

USS Ohio is homeported at Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor, Wash. The first of the SSGN's to deploy following conversion, Ohio currently serves under Commander, Submarine Group 7, headquartered at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan.

For more news from Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c7f/.