USS Ohio (SSGN-726) - Conversion To SSGN

Conversion To SSGN

Original plans called for Ohio to be retired in 2002. Instead, Ohio and three sister ships were modified and remain in service as conventional missile submarines (SSGNs). (See the discussion of the entire Ohio class for details.) In November 2003 Ohio entered drydock, beginning a 36-month refueling and conversion overhaul. Electric Boat announced on 9 January 2006 that the conversion had been completed. Ohio rejoined the fleet on 7 February 2006. Ballistic submarines of Ohio's class employ two crews, Blue and Gold, in order to facilitate continuous operation at sea, called "forward-presence" in USN parlance. On 21 January 2007, the Gold Crew departed Naval Base Kitsap for Hawaii to conduct a forward-deployed crew exchange, the first such forward-deployed swap in approximately 20 years.

Ohio left for her first mission on 15 October 2007. The Blue crew underwent several tests and inspections before completing a mission some time in December. Ohio is also the first one of the class to complete a mission.