USS ''Seawolf'' (SSN-21), is a Nuclear propulsion, nuclear-powered fast attack submarine and the lead ship of Seawolf-class submarine, her class. She is the fourth submarine of the United States Navy named for the seawolf (fish), seawolf, a solitary fish with strong, prominent teeth that give it a savage look.

Construction

The contract to build ''Seawolf'' was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics on 9 January 1989 and her keel was laid down on 25 October 1989. She was ship naming and launching, launched on 24 June 1995, sponsored by Mrs. Margaret Dalton, and ship commissioning, commissioned on 19 July 1997. The 7-year 9-month time period from keel laying to commissioning is the longest for a submarine in the U.S. Navy. Adding support personnel as well as ship's crew, there are 140 personnel assigned or attached to ''Seawolf''.

History

''Seawolf'' is featured in a 1998 episode of the documentary ''Super Structures of the World: Seawolf''. The program followed her construction and sea trials. On 22 July 2007, ''Seawolf'' transferred from her previous homeport of Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, to Naval Base Kitsap, Washington. In 2015, ''Seawolf'' was deployed to the Arctic region for six months. In July 2020 ''Seawolf'' deployed into the Arctic area of responsibility. She conducted special operations and pulled into multiple European ports. Port calls included HMNB Clyde in Faslane, Scotland, Faslane Scotland, and Gibraltar, and briefly in Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway. ''Seawolf''s deployment was the first US Navy deployment during the COVID-19 pandemic, coronavirus pandemic.

Awards

;1997 * Secretary of the Navy Letter of Commendation (1995–1997) ;2001 *Navy "E" Ribbon, Battle Efficiency "E" Ribbon ;2002 *Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (2002–2011) ;2004 *Battle Efficiency "E" Ribbon ;2007 *Tactical White "T" *Battle Efficiency "E" Ribbon *Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award *Meritorious Unit Commendation ;2009 *Navy Unit Commendation ;2014 *Battle Efficiency "E" Ribbon *Weapons "W" *Navigation Red and Green "N" *Supply Blue "E" *Personnel "P" ;2015 *Battle Efficiency "E" Ribbon *Weapons "W" *Navigation Red and Green "N" *Supply Blue "E" *Engineering Red "E" ;2020 *Battle Efficiency ribbon, Battle Efficiency "E" Ribbon *Weapons "W" *Navigation Red and Green "N" *Supply Blue "E" *Navy Expeditionary Medal *Navy Arctic Service Ribbon, Arctic Service Ribbon *Navy and Marine Corps Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2X) *Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation *Arleigh Burke Trophy

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Seawolf (SSN-21) Ships built in Groton, Connecticut Seawolf-class submarines Nuclear submarines of the United States Navy 1995 ships Submarines of the United States