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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Patches right & center contributed by Mike Smolinski, on left by Don McGrogan, BMCS, USN (ret.)

Ohio (SSGN-726)
Conversion to SSGN

Radio Call Sign: November - Lima - Alpha - Tango

To Additional Pages

Keel Laying - Commissioning
Life as a SSBN / 1982 - 2002

Ohio Class Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine: Laid down, 10 April 1976, at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics, Groton, CT.; Launched, 7 April 1979; Commissioned, USS Ohio (SSBN-726), 11 November 1981. Converted to guided missile submarine,(SSGN-726), December 2005. Ohio is assigned to the US Pacific Fleet and is homeported at Bangor, WA.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 16,764 t., Submerged: 18,750 t.; Length 560'; Beam 42'; Draft 29'; Speed, Surfaced 20+ kts, Submerged 25 kts; Depth limit 800'; Complement 155 (each Blue and Gold crews); Armament, 24 Trident I and II missile tubes, four 21" torpedo tubes, MK-48 torpedoes; Sensor, BQQ-6 Bow mounted sonar, BQR-19 Navigation, BQS-13 Active sonar, TB-16 towed array; Propulsion System, One S8G nuclear reactor core reloaded every nine years, two geared steam turbines, one shaft, output of 60,000 hp.

Size	Image Description	Contributed By/ Source
89k	Ohio (SSBN-726) in dry dock, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. 29 Oct. 2002.	Authors collection.
45k	Ohio (SSBN-726) at the Puget Sound Navy Base, 29 Oct. 2002.	US Navy photo courtesy of Tom A.
24k	Commemorative coin of the Puget Sound Navy Base that was issued during the Ohio's (SSBN-726) conversion, 29 Oct. 2002.	US Navy photo courtesy of Tom A.
95k	Puget Sound Navy Base, commentary during the *Ohio's* conversion, 29 Oct. 2002.	US Navy photo courtesy of Tom A.
45k	Looking forward-closeup of Ohio (SSBN-726) missile hatches opening--This picture was shot at Electric Boat at what is (or was) known as the wet dock. In the background you can see the cranes for graving dock #1 & #2 and the big green building is the south yard building ways where the Nautilus (SSN-571) was launched. Also note the other Trident tied up at the North wing wall is probably Michigan (SSBN-727).	US Navy photo courtesy of Federation of American Scientists. Text courtesy of Richard Strangman.
85k	Ohio (SSBN-726), Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Wash. Aug. 14, 2003, in dry dock undergoing a conversion from a Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN) to a Guided Missile Submarine (SSGN) designation. *Ohio* has been out of service since 29 Oct. 2002 for conversion to SSGN at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Four Ohio Class (SSBN-726-743) strategic missile submarines, *Ohio, Michigan* (SSBN-727), Florida (SSBN-728), and Georgia (SSBN-729), have been selected for transformation into a new platform, designated SSGN. The SSGNs will have the capability to support and launch up to 154 Tomahawk missiles, a significant increase in capacity compared to other platforms. The 22 missile tubes also will provide the capability to carry other payloads, such as unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and Special Forces equipment. This new platform will also have the capability to carry and support more than 66 Navy SEALs (Sea, Air and Land) and insert them clandestinely into potential conflict areas.	U.S. Navy file photo,(http://www.news.navy.mil/index.asp) contributed by Lacy Lee, RM1 USN/Ret.
139k	Ohio (SSBN-726), Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Wash., 14 Aug. 2003 in dry dock undergoing a conversion from a Ballistic Missile Submarine(SSBN) to a Guided Missile Submarine (SSGN) designation.	U.S. Navy file photo, news.navy.mil., contributed by Lacy Lee, RM1 USN/Ret.
350k	From left to right, Rear Adm. Paul Sullivan, Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Cmdr. Brain Mcllvaine, Commanding officer Ohio (SSBN-726), Cmdr. Tom Calabrese, commanding officer Michigan (SSBN-727), Cmdr. David Duryea, commanding officer Florida (SSBN-728), Cmdr. John Tammen, commanding officer Georgia (SSBN-729), and Rear Adm. Mel Williams Jr., Commander, Submarine Group-Nine pose for a photograph at Bangor, Wash. 22 Jan. 2004 at Detterent park during the SSGN Commander's Meeting held aboard the Naval Submarine Base Bangor, Wash.	U.S Navy photo # N-0141W-001 by John Woodmansee, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
408k	Night falls at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Bremerton, Wash., 15 Mar. 2004, as work continues on the strategic missile submarine Ohio (SSBN-726). *Ohio* is one of four Trident Submarines undergoing conversion to a new class of guided missile submarines.	US Navy photo # N-0000H-001, by Wendy Hallmark, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
32k	Commemorative post mark of the Ohio (SSBN-726) in drydock mode as dated. Logo is very small in top center hard to read. Postmark AirCraft Carrier - *Vinson* has error in cancell CUN should be CVN, 27 October 2004.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
45k	Ohio (SSBN-726) undergoes conversion from a ballistic-missile submarine (SSBN) to a guided-missile submarine (SSGN). By FY 2007, all four SSGNs, *Ohio, Michigan* (SSBN-727), Florida (SSBN-728) & Georgia (SSBN-729) are scheduled to have completed conversion. *Ohio* is scheduled to attain initial operational capability by 2007.	US Navy photo courtesy of chinfo.navy.mil.
35k	When you are part of crew that doesn't have access to your boat, keeping abreast of how to do your job takes a lot of practice. Just ask the crew of the Ohio (SSBN-726) and they will tell you that training is vital to keeping proficiency at the ultimate high. "This is an outstanding avenue to have," said Chief Electronics Technician (SS) Rock Lively, Navigation Operations Leading Chief Petty Officer, *Ohio. "Through the [Submarine Piloting and Navigation 2000 trainer], we're able to see what lessons other boats learned through trial and error. We keep this training as real to life as possible, as to not make inadvertent maneuvers when we are out at sea.' The Ohio* is currently in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard being converted to SSGN.	US Navy photo by Josn Adam Vernon, Subase Bangor Public Affairs, courtesy of chinfo.navy.mil.
265k	Illustration of Ohio (SSBN-726) which is undergoing a conversion from a Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN) to a Guided Missile Submarine (SSGN) designation.	US Navy photo # N-0000X-006, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
82k	Illustration of Ohio (SSBN-726) which is undergoing a conversion from a Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN) to a Guided Missile Submarine (SSGN) designation.	US Navy photo # N-0000X-003, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
110k	Illustration of Ohio (SSBN-726) which is undergoing a conversion from a Ballistic Missile Submarine (SSBN) to a Guided Missile Submarine (SSGN) designation.	US Navy photo # N-0000X-004, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
467k	The tug Wenatchee (YTB-808) helps the Ohio (SSGN-726) return to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Facility in Bremerton, Washington, 19 Dec. 2005, after completing sea trials. *Ohio* is the first ballistic missile submarine to complete conversion to the new class of guided missile submarines (SSGN). Three other submarines are undergoing the SSGN conversion process including Michigan (SSBN-727), Florida (SSBN-728), and Georgia (SSBN-729).	US Navy photo # N-0000C-002 by Mr. Rick Chaffee, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
352k	Ohio (SSGN-726) returns to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Facility in Bremerton, Washington, 19 Dec. 2005, after completing sea trials. *Ohio* is the first ballistic missile submarine to complete conversion to the new class of guided missile submarines (SSGN). Three other submarines are undergoing the SSGN conversion process including Michigan (SSBN-727), Florida (SSBN-728), and Georgia (SSBN-729).	US Navy photo # N-0000C-001 by Mr. Rick Chaffee, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
339k	Stern view of the guided missile submarine as she prepares to stop for a personnel transfer in Puget Sound, Washington, 29 Jan. 2006.	US Navy photo # N-1464F-004 by Chief Journalist Dave Fliesen, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
254k	Media appear in the background of this photo as the guided missile submarine Ohio (SSGN-726) prepares for a personnel transfer in Puget Sound, Washington.	US Navy photo # N-1464F-007 by Chief Journalist Dave Fliesen, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
269k	Lt. j.g. Aaron Riggio (right) explains the new Battle Management Center (BMC) and how it will provide true joint integration aboard the guided missile submarine Ohio (SSGN-726).	US Navy photo # N-1464F-025 by Chief Journalist Dave Fliesen, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
63k	A hatch door of a former nuclear missile tube frames Capt. Mark McGill of the 22nd Air Force Special Tactics unit, aboard the Ohio (SSGN-726) on 29/01/06. Two of the tubes were rebuilt to launch covert operations.	Photo by DEAN J. KOEPFLER/THE NEWS TRIBUNE, courtesy of thenewstribune.com. via subreport.net.
359k	Commanding Officer Ohio (SSGN-726), Cmdr. Michael Cockey, left, reports to Vice Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Edmund Giambastiani Jr., that the guided missile submarine *Ohio* is ready to return to service during a ceremony at the Explosive Handling Warf at Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, 7 Feb. 2006.	US Navy photo # N-1325N-004 by Ray S. Narimatsu, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
374k	The *Ohio-class* ballistic-missile submarine Ohio (SSGN-726) cruises toward homeport in the Hood Canal portion of the Puget Sound. Ohio returned home after becoming the first *Ohio-class* submarine to complete sea and hydrodynamic trials with recently installed dual drydeck shelters (DDS) for Special Operations Forces on 26 Oct. 2007.	US Navy photo # N-1683M-002 by Master Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jerry McLain, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
291k	Montage of photos of the guided missile submarine Ohio (SSGN-726).	U.S. Navy illustration # N-1280S-001, by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lindsay Switze, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
275k	The guided-missile submarine Ohio (SSGN-726) arrives at the Republic of Korea's Busan Operating Base 20 Feb. 2008 for *Ohio's* first foreign port visit since its conversion from SSBN.	US Navy photo # N-8534H-001 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Barry Hirayama, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
73k	Several photos from a series presented by ABC News on the Ohio (SSGN-726) entitled "Billion-Dollar Sub Hits the Seas". A total of 24 missile tubes are mounted on the new submarine. The two tubes at front are modified for the deployment of Navy SEALs. The *Ohio* is the first of a new class of submarines to be built from 1970s vessels converted by trading nuclear-tipped ICBMs for conventional cruise missiles. The submarine is also capable of launching a contingent of commandos toward shore through rejiggered missile tubes.	Eric Talmadge/AP Photo & text courtesy of abcnews.com.
73k	Several photos from a series presented by ABC News on the Ohio (SSGN-726) entitled "Billion-Dollar Sub Hits the Seas". A small submersible is seen, right, during its maiden voyage off Guam. Elite SEALs teams deploy in the boat to conduct operations simulating an undersea launch and landing for the assessment of a fictitious terrorist threat.	Eric Talmadge/AP Photo & text courtesy of abcnews.com.
44k	Several photos from a series presented by ABC News on the Ohio (SSGN-726) entitled "Billion-Dollar Sub Hits the Seas". Crew members prepare for the *Ohio's* voyage. The United States has recently increased its presence in the Pacific, though its fleet is far outnumbered by those from other countries.	Eric Talmadge/AP Photo & text courtesy of abcnews.com.
42k	Several photos from a series presented by ABC News on the Ohio (SSGN-726) entitled "Billion-Dollar Sub Hits the Seas". Crew members are silhouetted against the sun on the craft before its maiden voyage off Guam, Sunday, 3 Feb. 2008. At left is a dry dock from which a small submersible can be launched.	Eric Talmadge/AP Photo & text courtesy of abcnews.com.
241k	South Korean media use the guided-missile submarine Ohio (SSGN-726) as a backdrop while taping a report at the Chinhae Naval Base. The guided-missile submarine hosted dozens of Republic of Korea media during a media availability on 26 Feb.	US Navy photo # N-8534H-001 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Lou Rosales, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
504k	An SH-60 assigned to the "Indians" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 6 hoists Brig. Gen. Simeon Trombitas, commander of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Joint Task Force Korea, from the deck of the Ohio (SSGN-726), 7 March 2008. *Ohio* is on a one year deployment to the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.	US Navy photo # N-8534H-004 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Barry Hirayama, courtesy of news.navy.mil. Photo added 03/20/08.