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USS Nebraska Slated for Homeport Change
Story Number: NNS031020-12
Release Date: 10/20/2003 2:25:00 PM
From Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Public Affairs
KINGS BAY, Ga. (NNS) -- USS Nebraska (SSBN 739), a fleet ballistic missile submarine assigned to Submarine Group 10 here, will transfer to Naval Submarine Base (NSB) Bangor, Wash., Oct. 1, 2004.
This move follows the reassignment of two other submarines from Kings Bay, USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735) and USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) in August of 2002.
The reassignment of the three East Coast submarines is based in part on the earlier decision by the U.S. Navy to decommission the four oldest Ohio-class submarines. The four submarines -- USS Ohio (SSBN 726), USS Florida (SSBN 728), USS Michigan (SSBN 727) and USS Georgia (SSBN 729) are to be overhauled and converted from fleet ballistic missile submarines to guided-missile submarines (SSGN). It is also being made to equalize the Atlantic and Pacific Trident submarine fleets.
"This decision has been looming on the horizon for some time," said U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga. "The START treaties brought the Trident fleet down from 18 to 14 boats, and there has always been talk about equalizing the Atlantic and Pacific fleets at seven SSBNs [ballistic nuclear missile submarines] each."
Details of Nebraska’s move are pending.
"Kings Bay will work closely with Nebraska's crews and family members, as well as NSB Bangor to ensure a smooth as possible move to the west coast," said Capt. John E. Cohoon Jr., NSB Kings Bay commanding officer. "We have a great relationship with Camden County, and we will also do our very best to keep our Navy family and the local community informed when new information about the move is received."
Mission capabilities of the SSGN include Strike, Special Operations Forces insertion, and support for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance. These platforms will carry a payload of up to 154 Tomahawk land attack missiles, and have the additional multi-mission capabilities of anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, mine warfare and information operations. Future homeports for the SSGN submarines have not been determined.
The move will result in the loss of approximately 330 service members, 200 family members and an annual payroll of around $18 million to the Kings Bay-Camden County economy.
For related news, visit the Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga. Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/subasekb.
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