USS Kentucky (SSBN 737)
USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) is the 12th submarine of the Ohio class of ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), and the third U.S. Navy ship to bear the name.
The keel of Kentucky was laid on Dec. 18, 1987, and she was christened on Aug. 11, 1990 by Mrs. Carolyn Pennebaker Hopkins, wife of U.S. Rep. Larry J. Hopkins. Kentucky was commissioned on July 13, 1991 at Groton, Conn., with Capt. Michael G. Riegel (Blue Crew) and Capt. Joseph Henry (Gold Crew) in command.
Originally assigned to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., Kentucky shifted her homeport to Naval Submarine Base Bangor, Wash. in November 2002.
Kentucky was honored by U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) in 2009 as the recipient of the Omaha Trophy for excellence in strategic deterrence. She also received the Battle Efficiency Award (Battle "E") for Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 17.
In April 2015, Kentucky completed a 39-month engineered refueling overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, successfully finishing sea trials on April 16, 2015.