1970-1979
South Carolina was launched in 1 July 1972 and commissioned as DLGN-37 in 25 January 1975. She was redesignated CGN-37 six months later in the Navy's major type realignment of 30 June 1975. South Carolina was built at Newport News Shipbuilding Co., Newport News, Virginia.
The cruiser's first North Atlantic deployment was to the USS Nimitz Battle Group. After South Carolina participated in Exercise Solid Shield in the Caribbean and completed her first Mediterranean deployment in February 1977. The South Carolina in company with her sister ship, California, and Nimitz commenced a second Mediterranean deployment in November 1977 and returned to Norfolk, Virginia in July 1978.
South Carolina deployed again to the Mediterranean in January 1979 with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Battle Group.
Read more about this topic: USS South Carolina (CGN-37)