USS BALTIMORE

HISTORY

USS BALTIMORE (SSN-704) is the seventeenth submarine of the Los Angeles class. Designated as a nuclear powered attack submarine, BALTIMORE carries the most advanced sonar, communication, navigation, propulsion and weapons systems of any submarine in the world. baltimore's sophisticated weapons arsenal includes the Mk-48 ADCAP Torpedo, Tomahawk Land Attack Cruise missile, and Submarine Launched Mobile Mines. During wartime baltimore's principal missions were to hunt and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships and to project power ashore through launching her Tomahawk Cruise Missiles. Additionally, BALTIMORE could be called upon to conduct Special Warfare insertions. Mine Warfare, and provide the fleet with Indications and Warning of the adversary's movements.

USS BALTIMORE was christened by the Honorable Marjorie S. Holt and launched on December 13, 1980. She was commissioned on July 24, 1982 at Groton, Connecticut. USS BALTIMORE is 360 feet long and displaces 6900 tons. She is capable of speeds in excess of twenty-five knots and depths greater than 800 feet.  She carries a normal complement of 14 officers and 120 enlisted men.

Since commissioning, USS BALTIMORE has operated from her homeport of Norfolk, Virginia patrolling the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, under the Polar Ice Pack, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Ocean in support of national tasking. In 1986, BALTIMORE conducted her first Mediterranean deployment and earned the Commander Sixth Fleet "Hook-em" Award for excellence in Anti-Submarine Warfare. In 1987, BALTIMORE was the first Atlantic Fleet submarine to conducted test launches of two TOMAHAWK cruise missiles at full range. In 1988 BALTIMORE conducted it's second deployment to the Mediterranean.  Baltimore completed a Depot Modernization Period in 1990, following which the ship was the first to test and  employ the new advanced AN/BQQ-5D sonar system. The ship's superb conduct of this extensive availability  and test program earned the ship a Meritorious Unit Commendation. In 1992 and 1994, BALTIMORE conducted extended deployments to the North Atlantic.

In the summer of 1995, BALTIMORE was assigned to the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON Carrier Battle Group and deployed to the Mediterranean with the Battle Group in January of 1996. During this deployment, BALTIMORE once again was awarded the "Hook-em" Award for Anti-Submarine Warfare excellence and was designated by the Battle Group Commander as the Battle Group's "SSN ACE" as the premier submarine in theater. While deployed, BALTIMORE was recognized for her service in the Adriatic Sea, in support of IFOR in the former Yugoslavia, by the awarding of the NATO Service medal and the Armed Forces Services medal.
Also in 1996, BALTIMORE was selected as the U.S. Atlantic Fleet NEY Award winner for the best submarine mess in the Atlantic Fleet. USS BALTIMORE was awarded the Submarine Squadron EIGHT Supply Blue "E", Communications Green "C", and Deck Seamanship "D" for 1996. baltimore's last deployment was in the spring of 1997 to the Pacific Ocean operating in support of the Joint Interagency Task Force.

Throughout her distinguished service USS BALTIMORE has also proudly served as the City of Baltimore's roving ambassador of good will during port visits throughout the world.

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