USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23)

USS Jimmy Carter (SSN-23) is a modified ''Seawolf''-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the United States Navy. It is the third and final vessel of its class and is named for Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States and a former Naval Academy graduate and submariner. Commissioned in 2005, the submarine is renowned for its extensive modifications to support intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and other special operations missions, making it one of the most unique and capable platforms in the United States submarine force.

Design and construction

The vessel was ordered from Electric Boat division of General Dynamics and its keel was laid down at the Groton shipyard on 5 December 1998. As the final ''Seawolf''-class boat, its basic design incorporates the class's hallmark features, including a HY-100 steel pressure hull for extreme diving depth, exceptionally quiet propulsor technology, and a large payload capacity. However, during construction, the Department of Defense authorized a multi-hundred-million-dollar modification, known as the Multi-Mission Platform (MMP) enhancement. This involved inserting a 100-foot (30-meter) hull extension, called the "ocean interface" or "wet dock" section, amidships, significantly altering its profile and capabilities compared to its sister ships, USS ''Seawolf'' and USS ''Connecticut''. The submarine was christened by First Lady Rosalynn Carter and launched on 13 June 2004.

Operational history

Commissioned on 19 February 2005 at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, its commissioning ceremony was attended by former President Jimmy Carter and senior officials from the Navy and Congress. Following post-shakedown availability and extensive testing of its unique systems, Jimmy Carter was assigned to Submarine Development Squadron 5 in Bangor, Washington, operating primarily in the Pacific Ocean. Its operational history is largely classified, but it is understood to conduct missions involving undersea signals and communications intelligence collection, battlefield preparation, and the deployment and recovery of unmanned underwater vehicles and SEAL delivery teams. The boat has operated in various strategic areas, including the Arctic and the Sea of Japan.

Special operations modifications

The submarine's defining characteristic is its Multi-Mission Platform modification, which provides unparalleled capabilities for special operations and naval special warfare. The 100-foot hull extension contains a large internal compartment that can be flooded to serve as a wet dock for launching and recovering remotely operated vehicles, unmanned underwater vehicles, and other payloads while submerged. It also includes a secondary propulsion system for precise maneuvering during delicate operations, advanced berthing for special warfare personnel, and extensive external sensor arrays and communications suites. These modifications allow Jimmy Carter to perform sensitive missions such as submarine cable tapping, deep-sea object recovery, and covert intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in denied areas.

Commanding officers

Command of the vessel is restricted to highly experienced officers, often with backgrounds in special warfare or intelligence. Its first commanding officer was Commander (later Captain) David A. Honabach, who oversaw its final construction, commissioning, and initial operational testing. Subsequent commanding officers have included Captain David L. L. McElroy and Captain David J. Steindl. The selection process for commanding officers is rigorous, overseen by the Chief of Naval Operations and Secretary of the Navy, reflecting the boat's strategic importance and unique mission set within the Pacific Fleet.

Awards and recognition

While specific mission details are classified, the submarine and its crew have been recognized with several unit awards. These are believed to include the Navy Unit Commendation, the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, and multiple Battle "E" Ribbons for operational excellence. Individual crew members have also received personal decorations for their service aboard. The vessel itself is recognized within the defense community and among allied nations like the United Kingdom and Australia as a premier national asset for technical intelligence collection and undersea warfare.

Category:Seawolf-class submarines Category:Submarines of the United States Navy Category:Ships built in Connecticut Category:2005 ships