History Of The
USS Jacksonville (SSN-699)
The USS Jacksonville (SSN-699) was a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, the only U.S. Navy vessel named after Jacksonville, Florida. Nicknamed "The Bold One," it was commissioned on May 16, 1981, and served for 40 years until its decommissioning on November 16, 2021.
Here are key details about its history and service:
Construction and Design: Built by General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut, the submarine’s keel was laid on February 21, 1976, and it was launched on November 18, 1978, using a pontoon system designed for Ohio-class Trident submarines. It was sponsored by Mrs. Dorothy Jean Bennett, wife of Congressman Charles E. Bennett. The submarine measured 360 feet in length, with a 33-foot beam and a 32-foot draft. It displaced approximately 6,000 tons surfaced and 6,900 tons submerged, powered by an S6G nuclear reactor, enabling speeds of 15 knots surfaced and over 32 knots submerged.
Armament and Capabilities: Equipped with four 533mm torpedo tubes, it carried MK-48 torpedoes, Harpoon missiles, and Tomahawk cruise missiles, with 22 reloads plus two additional for emergencies. It was designed for undersea warfare, surface warfare, strike warfare, mining operations, special forces delivery, reconnaissance, intelligence collection, and carrier battle group support. Its operational depth was around 800 feet, with a safe depth of 1,200 feet and a crush depth of 1,800 feet.
Crew: The submarine was manned by a crew of 12 officers and 98–115 enlisted personnel, depending on the source. It earned three Battle Efficiency (Battle E) awards, including one for its final deployment in 2017.
Deployments and Operations: USS Jacksonville conducted numerous missions, including two around-the-world cruises (1982, 1985), deployments to the Western Atlantic (1983, 1986, 1993, 1994), and the Mediterranean Sea (1987, 1993). Notably, it was the only submarine in the Mediterranean during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, gathering critical intelligence as part of the Enterprise Battle Group. Its final deployment in 2017 covered 48,000 nautical miles in the Western Pacific, including joint exercises with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and Indian navies.
- Global Operations: Beyond its well-documented deployments (e.g., Mediterranean, Western Pacific), the USS Jacksonville participated in high-profile exercises like Valiant Shield 2017, a U.S.-only exercise involving joint operations with aircraft carriers and other assets in the Pacific. This showcased its integration into larger naval strategies.
- Post-9/11 Role: During the September 11, 2001, attacks, it was uniquely positioned in the Mediterranean, providing critical intelligence support to the Enterprise Battle Group, highlighting its strategic importance during a pivotal moment in U.S. history.
- Crew Dynamics: The submarine fostered a strong sense of camaraderie, with crew members earning nicknames like “Jaxmen.” Its Battle Efficiency awards (1983, 1986, 2017) reflect the crew’s operational excellence despite challenges like collisions.
- Nuclear Propulsion: Powered by an S6G reactor, it could operate for years without refueling, giving it unmatched endurance for covert missions. Its stealth and speed (over 32 knots submerged) made it a key asset for Cold War and post-Cold War operations.
- Crest Symbolism: The submarine’s crest, featuring Andrew Jackson on horseback, incorporated a modified version of Jacksonville’s city seal, symbolizing the city’s bold spirit. The motto “The Bold One” tied directly to Jacksonville’s slogan, “The Bold New City of the South.”
- Community Connection: The submarine maintained ties with its namesake city, with crew visits and civic engagements fostering pride in Jacksonville, Florida.
The USS Jacksonville served with distinction, completing critical missions despite its collision history, and its crew’s legacy continues to influence submariner standards. For further details, you can explore the Naval Vessel Register or official Navy press releases.
- Global Operations: Beyond its well-documented deployments (e.g., Mediterranean, Western Pacific), the USS Jacksonville participated in high-profile exercises like Valiant Shield 2017, a U.S.-only exercise involving joint operations with aircraft carriers and other assets in the Pacific. This showcased its integration into larger naval strategies.
- Post-9/11 Role: During the September 11, 2001, attacks, it was uniquely positioned in the Mediterranean, providing critical intelligence support to the Enterprise Battle Group, highlighting its strategic importance during a pivotal moment in U.S. history.
- Crew Dynamics: The submarine fostered a strong sense of camaraderie, with crew members earning nicknames like “Jaxmen.” Its Battle Efficiency awards (1983, 1986, 2017) reflect the crew’s operational excellence despite challenges like collisions.
Overhaul and Homeport: In 1988, it underwent a three-year modernization overhaul at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, including shock trials for Los Angeles-class submarines. Its homeport shifted from Norfolk, Virginia, to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in late 2009.
Decommissioning: After its final deployment, USS Jacksonville arrived at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Washington, on December 11, 2017, to begin inactivation. An inactivation ceremony was held on June 26, 2019, at the U.S. Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport, Washington. The submarine was defueled in six days and decommissioned on November 16, 2021, at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, setting a record for the shortest docking-to-decommissioning period (127 days). The hull is currently laid up at Bremerton, awaiting recycling.
Legacy: The submarine’s crest featured a modified version of Jacksonville’s city seal, with Andrew Jackson on horseback and the hull number SSN-699. Its nickname, "The Bold One," reflected the city’s slogan, “The Bold New City of the South.” There are no current plans to name another Navy vessel after Jacksonville.