USS Springfield (SSN-761)

USS Springfield (SSN-761), a Los Angeles-class submarine, is the fourth ship of the United States Navy to bear the name. The boat was named in honor of both the cities of Springfield, Illinois and Springfield, Massachusetts.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Springfield.

USS Springfield (SSN-761)
History
United States
Namesake: The Cities of Springfield, Illinois and Springfield, Massachusetts
Awarded: 21 March 1986
Builder: General Dynamics Electric Boat
Laid down: 29 January 1990
Launched: 4 January 1992
Sponsored by: Lynn Morley Martin
Commissioned: 9 January 1993
Homeport: Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Motto: United for Freedom
Status: in active service
Badge:
General characteristics
Class and type: Los Angeles-class submarine
Displacement:
  • 6,000 long tons (6,096 t) light
  • 6,927 long tons (7,038 t) full
  • 927 long tons (942 t) dead
Length: 110.3 m (361 ft 11 in)
Beam: 10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Draft: 9.4 m (30 ft 10 in)
Propulsion: S6G nuclear reactor
Speed:
  • Surfaced:20 knots (23 mph; 37 km/h)
  • Submerged: +20 knots (23 mph; 37 km/h) (official)
Complement: 12 officers, 98 men
Armament:

The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 21 March 1986, and her keel was laid down on 29 January 1990. She was launched on 4 January 1992 sponsored by Lynn Martin, and commissioned on 9 January 1993 with Commander Richard K. Ford in command. Springfield is homeported at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine and is assigned to Submarine Squadron FOUR.

In mid-2004, Springfield began an extensive overhaul, or Depot Modernization Period (DMP), at the Electric Boat shipyard in Groton. In addition to normal periodic maintenance and repairs, Springfield received extensive modernization in fire control systems, sonar processing, weapons launch systems, and communications outfit, a ring laser gyro inertial navigation system, as well as stealth improvements and engine room upgrades. The modernization was the first major overhaul and repair job for Electric Boat in almost 25 years.[1] Originally awarded as a 12 month, $26.3 million depot modernization,[2] Springfield was to be the test case for the possibility of awarding future repair and overhaul contracts to Electric Boat. The overhaul was plagued by cost and time overruns, and when finally completed in December 2005, it was several months late and well over budget. Electric Boat has not been awarded any DMP contracts since.

Springfield arrived at PNSY on 1 December 2016 to begin an Engineering Overhaul. Springfield will undergo planned maintenance work and system certifications primarily focused on modernizing systems associated with the boat's engine room.[3]

Awards

Springfield has deployed overseas on many occasions and earned several Meritorious Unit Commendations and Battle "E" Efficiency awards.

In 1998, Springfield won the Captain Edward F. Ney Silver Cup Trophy for outstanding food service (first place in the submarine category). The Ney Memorial Awards, presented annually to the top Navy galleys in ten categories, were established by the Secretary of the Navy and the International Food Service Executives Association (IFSEA) in 1958.[4][5]

In 2002 the boat received the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy for most improved ship in the Atlantic Fleet,[6][7][8] while under command of Commander D.P. Forney.

In 2003 the boat was awarded the Retention Excellence Award for her squadron.[9] She has also won multiple awards for Navigation, Engineering, Medical, Supply, Damage Control and Deck Seamanship excellence in various years.

On 14 July 2014, command of the boat was changed to Commander Daniel Lombardo at a ceremony in Groton, Connecticut.[10]

On 18 November 2016, command of the boat was changed to Commander Brent Spillner from Captain Roger Meyer at a ceremony in Groton, Connecticut.[11][3]

References
  1. "Electric Boat Paint Process Transformation" (pdf).
  2. "Navy awards EB $10M for submarine maintenance planning" (Press release). General Dynamics Electric Boat Corporation. 26 September 2003. Archived from the original on 6 July 2008.
  3. Early, Brian. "USS Springfield arrives at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard". seacoastonline.com. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  4. "Navy and Marine Corps food service award winners announced" (Press release). Navy News Wire. 5 February 1998. Quoted in "Navy and Marine Corps food service award winners announced". SeabeeCook.com. SeabeeCook Publishing. 27 July 1999. Retrieved 21 June 2009.
  5. International Food Service Executives Association. "Military Awards Overview by Military Branch". Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2009.
  6. "Captain Daniel P. Forney, U.S. Navy" (Press release). Public Affairs Office, Naval Submarine School. 6 September 2007.
  7. "Springfield wins Arleigh Burke Award". The Dolphin. Groton, Connecticut: Journal Register Company. 10 July 2003.
  8. "Bravo Zulu Springfield". The Dolphin. Groton, Connecticut: Journal Register Company. 11 December 2003.
  9. Savage, Mark A. (1 March 2004). "NSSC Receives Fiscal Year '03 Retention Excellence Award". Navy News Service.
  10. "USS Springfield celebrates change-of-command in Groton". The Bulletin. 25 July 2014.
  11. "USS Springfield returns from deployment". The Dolphin. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
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