03.10.09

Honoring the Sailors of the United States Submarine Force

Recognizes Force for Completion of 1,000 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine deterrent patrols

 WASHINGTON, DC – On Monday, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) congratulating the sailors of the U.S. Submarine Force for completing its 1,000th Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine deterrent patrol. 
 
“The men and women of our armed services give their all to protect our nation day in and day out,” said Cantwell. “This is a tremendous milestone and I congratulate these sailors for their dedication and commitment and salute their families for being equally dedicated and committed.”
 
The Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, built in the 1980s and 90s, provide the sea-based leg of U.S. strategic deterrence forces. The 14 Trident SSBNs carry more than 50 percent of the total U.S. strategic warheads. The first Trident strategic deterrent patrol was completed by USS Ohio in 1982 and for more than 27 years, the Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine has remained the most survivable form of deterrence.
 
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