February 18th - On This Date - USN Submarine Service

1953 - 

USS BASHAW (SS-241) redesignated Hunter-Killer Submarine (SSK-241).

1953 - 

USS CAVALLA (SS-244) redesignated Hunter-Killer Submarine (SSK-244).

1994 - 

USS DANIEL BOONE (SSBN-629) decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register.

2003 - 

USS MONTPELIER (SSN-765) was visited by Acting Secretary of the Navy, The Honorable H.T. Johnson at Naval Support Activity, Bahrain. Johnson was making his first trip to the Central Command Area of Responsibility since being appointed as Acting Secretary of the Navy by President George W. Bush. As secretary of the Navy, Johnson is responsible for, and has the authority to, conduct all affairs of the Department of the Navy including recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipment, training, mobilizing and demobilizing.

2005 - Former President Jimmy Carter toured the U.S. Navy submarine named after him, PCU JIMMY CARTER (SSN-23), at Naval Submarine Base New London.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner and former submarine officer said having the world’s most advanced fast-attack submarine named in his honor ranked among the highest tributes in his storied life.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had one that was more emotionally gratifying to me than to have this named after me,” he said.

The President, ship’s sponsor Rosalynn Carter, and members of their family, met with the crew and dined in the wardroom aboard JIMMY CARTER. The former commander in chief presided over a reenlistment ceremony and pinned newly earned "dolphins," a designation of qualification in submarines, on a ship’s officer.

The crew eagerly awaited the former President’s visit just before the Navy commissioned the Seawolf-class vessel February 19.

Carter has made it a habit to write personal letters to each crewman when the sailor has reached a professional or personal milestone, such as advancement in rate or the birth of a child. Submariners share a bond of mutual dependence that draws them together, the former President explained.

“We feel emotionally and physically attached to this ship,” the former President said.

2005 -  

Vice Adm. Munns presented the commissioning pennant for the Seawolf-class nuclear-powered attack submarine USS JIMMY CARTER (SSN-23) to former first lady Rosalynn Carter at the Commanding Officer's Reception at Naval Submarine Base Groton, CT to celebrate JIMMY CARTER's commissioning on February 19, 2005.

COB