USS Hartford (SSN-768)

USS Hartford (SSN-768) is a ''Los Angeles''-class attack submarine in service with the United States Navy. The vessel is the third U.S. Navy ship named for the city of Hartford, Connecticut. Since her commissioning in 1994, Hartford has been a key component of the Atlantic Fleet, conducting a wide range of missions including anti-submarine warfare, intelligence collection, and special operations forces support.

Construction and commissioning

The contract for the construction of USS Hartford was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut, on 14 December 1988. Her keel was laid down on 22 February 1992 at the Groton Shipyard. The submarine was launched on 4 December 1993, sponsored by Mrs. Michele M. Forman, the wife of Connecticut Congressman Sam Gejdenson. The vessel was officially commissioned into the United States Navy on 10 December 1994 at Naval Submarine Base New London, with Commander John B. Heffernan as her first commanding officer.

Design and description

As a Flight III Los Angeles-class submarine, Hartford incorporates significant improvements over earlier units of the class. Her design features an advanced BSY-1 combat system, integrating sonar, fire control, and weapons management. The submarine is powered by a single S6G pressurized water reactor manufactured by General Electric, driving two steam turbines and a single shaft, which provides a submerged speed in excess of 25 knots. Armament includes four torpedo tubes capable of launching Mk-48 ADCAP torpedoes, Harpoon anti-ship missiles, and Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles. For special operations, the boat is equipped with a Dry deck shelter for deploying Navy SEALs and their Swimmer Delivery Vehicles.

Operational history

Following shakedown and post-shakedown availability, Hartford was assigned to Submarine Squadron 4 based at Naval Submarine Base New London. Her early deployments were to the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea, often operating with NATO allies like the Royal Navy. In March 2009, Hartford was involved in a collision with the amphibious transport dock USS ''New Orleans'' in the Strait of Hormuz. The incident resulted in significant damage to her sail and periscopes, requiring extensive repairs at a U.S. Navy shipyard in Manama, Bahrain. The submarine has since completed multiple subsequent deployments, including operations in the Fifth Fleet and Sixth Fleet areas of responsibility, supporting operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In recent years, Hartford has participated in major exercises such as Exercise Dynamic Mongoose with the Royal Norwegian Navy.

Awards and recognition

Throughout her service, USS Hartford has received numerous unit awards. These include the Navy Unit Commendation, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (awarded twice), and the Battle "E" efficiency award on multiple occasions. The submarine and her crew have also been recognized with the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for specific deployments and the Navy Expeditionary Medal. Individual crew members have been honored with awards such as the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for exceptional performance during critical missions.