Key Points and Summary – USS Florida (SSGN-728) wrapped a staggering 727-day deployment (Aug 2022–Jul 2024), spanning 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet waters and over 60,000 nautical miles.
-Using Blue/Gold crew swaps, the Ohio-class SSGN ran near-continuous ops: shows of force, intel collection, SOF insertions, Guam rearmament—and Tomahawk strikes on Houthi targets. Converted from SSBN to SSGN in 2006, Florida packs 154 Tomahawks, four torpedo tubes, and room for 66 SOF operators.
The Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) begins a dive into the Strait of Juan de Fuca off the Washington Coast, March 18, 2025, during routine operations. Special units within the Coast Guard are tasked with the protection of U.S. Naval submarines while surfaced and transiting U.S. territorial waters to and from their patrol stations. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Steve Strohmaier)
-Officially slated for retirement in 2026, its marathon patrol signals enduring reach even as Columbia-class SSBNs lag and China’s navy grows—raising the question: extend these boats or let them bow out?
The Amazing Ohio-class Submarine, USS Florida’s 727 Day Deployment
The USS Florida (SSGN-728), an Ohio-class guided-missile submarine, completed a marathon patrol of 727 days at sea from August 2022 to July 2024. This record-breaking mission involved operating across the 5th, 6th, and 7th fleet areas, covering more than 60,000 nautical miles.
The deployment was enabled by using the alternating Blue and Gold crews, with five crew swaps occurring to maintain near-continuous operations.
Assigned to Commander, Submarine Group Ten, USS Florida departed in August 2022 and conducted five crew swaps before returning to Kings Bay. The USS Florida is one of the oldest submarines in the US submarine fleet.
During her long deployment, the boat operated in multiple oceans, “conducted vital missions critical to national security,” including a showing of force, intelligence gathering, special operations insertions, and launching Tomahawk missiles at Houthi targets in Yemen and conducting rearmament in Guam, which signals power to regional adversaries like China, Russia, and North Korea.
The deployment was supported by five crew swaps, allowing for continuous operations as the Blue and Gold crews alternated.
And perhaps even more amazing is the fact that the Ohio-class missile submarine, the USS Florida is slated for retirement in 2026.
USS Florida’s History
The USS Florida was launched in 1981 and commissioned in 1983. She was initially commissioned as a ballistic missile submarine with the designation (SSBN-728). In 2003, due to the SALT agreements, the Florida was converted to a guided-missile submarine, earning the designation SSGN-728. The submarine completed its conversion in 2006.
Since its conversion, the Florida can carry 154 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles and torpedoes and can carry up to 66 Special Operations troops, mainly Navy SEAL teams or Army Green Berets.
Tomahawk Block IV Missile. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Tomahawk Launch. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
The USS Florida played a primary role in Operation Odyssey Dawn, the attack on Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya during the Obama administration.
It was one of several warships that hit several targets of opportunity in Libya at that time. During this time, the USS Florida also deployed US Special Forces operators into Libya.
While most SSGN subs are kept secret, the Navy has used the USS Florida a few times in high-profile missions to send a message to our adversaries.
In 2023, she surfaced in the Suez Canal on a deployment to the Middle East and then again later that year in Norway. The meaning of those surfaces and where they were conducted got Iran and Russia’s attention.
USS Florida Technical Specs
-Hull Length: 560 feet (109.73 meters)
-Beam Width: 42 feet (12.8 meters)
-Displacement: Approx. 18,750 short tons (17,010 metric tons)
-Powerplant: One nuclear reactor, one shaft
-Submerged Speed: 20+ knots (23+ mph; 36,8+ km/h)
-Crew: 15 commissioned officers, 150 enlisted seamen
-Armament: 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, 4 torpedo tubes and 12 Mark 48 torpedoes for defensive purposes
SSGN Ohio-Class USS Florida’s Long Mission:
Florida’s two-year mission was not an easy one, traversing the globe, but it was a testament to the professionalism of the officers and sailors aboard that it was a very successful one.
“We have demonstrated the versatility of the SSGN platform to operate anywhere at any time,” said Capt. Peter French, blue crew commanding officer. “We operated in several different oceans. It’s very uncommon for East Coast submarines to deploy to the West Coast, but we managed to do an exceptional job completing the mission.”
“I can tell you from the operations we did out there, we developed lots of lessons learned and passed on several very long messages detailing all the things that we learned from what we did,” French added.
“Our sailors are the true strength of our boat and the Navy,” said Master Chief Electronics Technician Submarine, Navigation Christopher L. Martell, gold crew chief of the boat. “They consistently impress me with their unwavering dedication to the submarine force. We train and fight as a family, and I’m excited to get the crews back home to the actual families and enjoy some much-needed time off.”
The Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) transits the Puget Sound during routine operations, March 18, 2025. Commander, Submarine Group (SUBGRU) 9, exercises administrative control authority for assigned submarine commands and units in the Pacific Northwest providing oversight for shipboard training, personnel, supply and material readiness of SSBNs and their crews. SUBGRU-9 is also responsible for nuclear submarines undergoing conversion or overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ryan Riley)
What’s Next For the US Submarine Fleet?
The extended 727-day mission was planned to send a message to our adversaries that the US can operate anywhere, anytime that we want. The Chinese Navy is building a massive fleet of ships, especially submarines.
Currently, the US Navy has a fleet of 71 submarines, broken down into three categories: attack (53), ballistic missile (14), and guided missile (4). All of these vessels are nuclear-powered, but only the 14 Ohio-class subs carry nuclear warheads due to the SALT treaty.
Coincidentally, the Chinese are not signatories to the treaty and aren’t under any constraints that the US and Russia are.
If the US can improve the operating conditions at its shipyards, it should plan to add more fast-attack submarines in the near future.
Swan Song For the This Oho-Class Sub?
The four converted SSGNs of the Ohio class—the oldest of the series—are USS Ohio, Michigan, Florida, and Georgia.
(July 29, 2025) – A U.S. Air Force A10C Thunderbolt II flies over the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) in the Pacific Ocean, July 29, 2025. The armed airborne escort exercise is designed to increase and demonstrate the Joint Force’s capability to protect strategic assets like Kentucky. Submarine Group (SUBGRU) 9, exercises administrative and operational control authority for assigned submarine commands and units in the Pacific Northwest providing oversight for shipboard training, personnel, supply and material readiness of submarines and their crews. SUBGRU-9 is also responsible for nuclear submarines undergoing conversion or overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. (U.S. Navy Photo by Lt. Zachary Anderson)
They were refitted into their new configuration from the early 2000s onwards. From 2031, the 14 remaining Ohio-class SSBNs will gradually be replaced by 12 Columbia-class SSBNs.
According to the US Navy’s latest shipbuilding plan, again subject to shipyard production, which is always delayed, all four SSGNs will be retired from service by 2028, with no direct replacement, and two boats (USS Ohio and USS Florida) will be decommissioned in 2026.
However, with the slow pace of production of the Columbia-class submarines, the Ohio class may see its end-of-service dates extended. The long deployment of the USS Florida shows that the old boats still have plenty of life left.
Columbia-Class Navy Handout Photo. Image Credit: U.S. Navy.
The USS Florida may well have taken her last deployment with this trip around the world. But what a trip it was.
About the Author: Steve Balestrieri
Steve Balestrieri is a National Security Columnist. He served as a US Army Special Forces NCO and Warrant Officer. In addition to writing on defense, he covers the NFL for PatsFans.com and is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA). His work was regularly featured in many military publications.
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