USS Maryland (SSBN-738) is a United States Navy Ohio class ballistic missile submarine. Maryland is the 13th of 18 of the Ohio class ballistic missile submarines, and has been in commission since 1992.
 

Maryland is the fourth United States Navy vessel to be named after the U.S. state of Maryland. Her mission is to provide the United States of America with an undetectable and unattackable nuclear launch platform in support of the national strategy of strategic deterrence.

Construction and commissioning

The contract for the construction of the Maryland was awarded on 14 March 1986. Her keel was laid down by the Electric Boat Division of the General Dynamics Corporation at Groton, Connecticut, on 22 April 1986.

Christening ceremony and launching

Maryland was christened and launched in a ceremony on 10 August 1991 at the Electric Boat shipyard. The program opened with the U.S. national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner", performed by the United States Navy Band, Northeast, led by Chief Musician Steven R. Rawson. Mr. Roger E. Tetrault, Vice President and General Manager of Electric Boat Division, then gave welcoming remarks. Mr. James E. Turner, Jr., Executive Vice President of Marine, Land Systems and Services, General Dynamics Corporation, also gave prepared remarks for the occasion. The director of the Maryland Veterans Commission, Clarence M. Bacon, greeted guests and crew, then turned over the podium to Vice Admiral Kenneth C. Malley, Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command. Vice Admiral Henry G. Chiles, Jr., Commander Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet, introduced the principal speaker, The Honorable Helen Delich Bentley U.S. Representative for Maryland's Second Congressional District. Mr. James E. Turner Jr. then returned to the podium to introduce the sponsor, Sarah "Sally" Craig Larson. After a short blessing of the ship by Captain A. Byron Holderby, Ms. Larson, along with Matron of Honor Kirsten L. Datko and Maid of Honor Erica L. Larson, christened pre-commissioning unit Maryland, and Maryland was launched.

Commissioning

On 13 June 1992, the PCU Maryland was formally commissioned into U.S. Naval service as the USS Maryland, with Captain John W. Francis in command of the Blue crew and Captain Harold E. Marshall in command of the Gold crew.[6] The principal speaker was Admiral Charles R. Larson, Commander-in-Chief U.S. Pacific Command.
 

At this point the Blue crew retained the ship for shakedown operations, while the Gold crew departed to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Kings Bay, Georgia to start their offcrew training cycle.

Service history

Maryland departed Groton for Kings Bay on 15 June 1992 and immediately started preparation for strategic certification, with the Blue crew achieving a successful test launch on 29 Jul 1992, and starting Trident D-5 missile Demonstration and Shakedown Operations (DASO) on 7 July 1992.
 

The first exchange of command occurred on 4 September 1992, with the Gold crew taking charge of Maryland, and completing their phase of DASO on 22 October 1992. Various other inspections and training exercises were conducted throughout 1992.
 

The Blue crew relieved the Gold crew 26 January 1993 and continued with preparations for strategic certification. Maryland returned to Groton on 30 January 1993 for post-shakedown maintenance prior to assuming responsibility for strategic deterrent patrols. Maryland returned to Kings Bay, Georgia on 9 April 1993.
 

Maryland completed various weapons and tactical certifications and then returned to Kings Bay on 4 May 1993 to join Submarine Squadron 20 and commence preparations for the first strategic deterrent patrol. The initial loadout of Trident D-5 missiles was completed at this point.
 

The Gold crew relieved the Blue crew 7 May 1993 and continued the refit. On 19 June 1993 Maryland went underway on her first strategic deterrent patrol, which started her strategic patrol cycle.