USS Georgia (SSBN-729)
USS Georgia (SSBN-729), a Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the fourth state. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 20 February 1976 and her keel was laid down on 7 April 1979. She was launched on 6 November 1982 sponsored by Mrs. Sheila M. Watkins, and commissioned on 11 February 1984, with Captain A.W. Kuester commanding the Blue crew and Captain M.P. Gray commanding the Gold crew.
- 20 years of history go here
On 7 November 2003, while Georgia was docked at Bangor, Washington, her C-4 Trident I missiles were offloaded. The process proceeded smoothly until tube number 16. When each tube was opened, a ladder was lowered into the tube so a sailor could climb down and attach a hoist to lift the missile. After attaching the hoist, the sailor climbed out, and the crew took a break without removing the ladder. When they returned, they began to hoist the missile, pulling against the ladder and cutting a nine-inch hole in its nose cone. No radioactive material was released.
Three enlisted men in the missile handling team face courts-martial. The Strategic Weapons Facility Pacific was immediately shut down and inspected by the Navy, and failed to pass. SWFPAC's commanding officer, Captain Keith Lyles, was relieved of command on 19 December, followed by his executive officer, Commander Phillip Jackson, weapons officer, Commander Marshall Millett, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Command Steven Perry. SWFPAC reopened after passing inspection under a new commanding officer on 9 January 2004. Georgia’s crew was unaffected.
See USS Georgia for other ships of the same name.
References
This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register and various press releases.
