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John
C. Calhoun (SSB(N)-630) was
laid down by Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co.,
Newport News, Va., 4 June 1962; launched 22 June 1963,
sponsored by Miss Rosalie J. Calhoun, great great
granddaughter of John C. Calhoun; and commissioned 15
September 1964, Comdr. Dean L. Axene (blue crew) and Comdr.
Frank Thurtell (gold crew) in command.
After shakedown and
training along the Atlantic coast, John C. Calhoun
began operational patrols 22 March 1965. Assigned to
Submarine Squadron 18, she deployed on classified undersea
patrols to bolster the continuing "keeping the peace"
efforts of the Navy. Armed with deadly, far ranging Polaris
missiles, this nuclear-powered submarine helps maintain the
freedom of the seas by guarding them from beneath the waves.
Moreover, the lethal might of her ballistic weapons makes
her a powerful deterrent against any potential aggressor; no
matter how far from global waters the threat to world peace
might be, John C. Calhoun stands ready to meet the
challenge. At present she continues her patrols as part of
the mighty undersea deterrent force.
[Transcriber's note:
John C. Calhoun was built with the 2500-mile range
Polaris A3 and was refitted with the Poseidon missile
between 1969-78 and the Trident I missile in 1979-82. |
