Name USS Montpelier Laid down 19 May 1989 Launched 23 August 1991 Beam 10 m | Awarded 6 February 1987 Commissioned 13 March 1993 Construction started 19 May 1989 Length 110 m Builder Newport News Shipbuilding | |
 | ||
Namesake The City of Montpelier, Vermont | ||
USS Montpelier (SSN-765), a Los Angeles-class submarine, is the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Montpelier, Vermont. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 6 February 1987 and her keel was laid down on 19 May 1989. She was launched on 23 August 1991 sponsored by Mrs. Nancy Hayes Sununu, and commissioned on 13 March 1993 with Commander Victor Fiebig in command.
Contents
The "Mighty Monty" is stationed in Groton, Connecticut.
Service history
USS Montepelier was the first submarine to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles in Operation Iraqi Freedom. She would go on to fire all 20 missiles earning her a "clean sweep" under the command of CDR William J. Frake.
On 27 May 2004 Montpelier went through an 18-month Depot Modernization Period (DMP) at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. The ship and crew completed this period three months ahead of schedule and, after successfully completing sea trials returned to their home port in Virginia. The boat entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard on 5 February 2010 for modernization, maintenance, and upgrades, expected to cost around $35 million for 640,000-man hours, and included changing the submarine's buoyancy characteristics and upgrading its sonar capabilities. The work was completed and the sub returned to the fleet on 26 July 2010, eight days earlier than scheduled.
Accident
On 13 October 2012, USS Montpelier collided with USS San Jacinto (CG-56) off the east coast of the United States near Florida. Both ships were conducting a training exercise at the time of the incident. No one on board either ship was injured. The sub's captain, Commander Thomas Winter, was relieved and the sub has since undergone $70 million in repairs.
