USS Georgia (SSGN-729) - Conversion To SSGN

Conversion To SSGN

Georgia was redesignated to SSGN on 1 March 2004. In October 2004 she participated as the command node of Exercise Silent Hammer to validate and showcase the new Joint Warfare and ISR capabilities.

In March 2005, Georgia entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard for her scheduled Engineered Refueling Overhaul. The SSGN conversion took place concurrently. The conversion and refitting work was completed in February 2008. After the refit, Georgia moved to her new home port in Kings Bay, Georgia.

Georgia was officially welcomed home in Kings Bay, Georgia on March 28, 2008 in a return to service ceremony attended by Governor Sonny Perdue. On August 2009, Georgia began first SSGN deployment. On January 2010, Georgia earned Squadron SIXTEEN battle efficiency "E" for 2009. GEORGIA Blue crew earns Squadron SIXTEEN Engineering Red "E", Navigation Red and Green "N".

In December 2010, a bolt inadvertently left in one of the sub's engine housings did $2.2 million in damage and forced the boat into three months of repairs. One officer and several enlisted sailors were disciplined over the mishap.