USS Florida recently operated in the US 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (US Navy)
US Navy (USN) Captain Peter French, commanding officer for the blue crew of the Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728), touted the vessel's strike, stealth, and covert capabilities for its operations in the US 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) during a 25 July media round table discussion of Florida's recent deployment.
Capt French declined to discuss any specific mission or operations during the deployment, but when asked about what attributes Florida brought to the AOR, he cited the SSGN's “unprecedented strike capability” with 154 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles as well as the capacity for 56 navy SEALs and the vessel's dry-deck shelter for covert insertion.
“That helps open up the aperture,” he said.
The SSGN also can launch unmanned platforms, he noted, adding, “Missions change depending on what the combatant commander needs day to day.”
Florida operated with allies and coalition partners, Capt French said, but he declined to discuss any type of combat-related operations for the submarine's time in the AOR, which includes the Red Sea and surrounding region, where USN officials note they are seeing the “most kinetic” action since the Second World War.
To read more about USN Red Sea operations, please seeIn Red Sea, US Navy battles missiles, unmanned threats, and misinformation campaign
Assigned to Commander, Submarine Group 10, Florida returned to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, on 31 July following its 727-day deployment to 5th, 6th, and 7th fleet AORs.
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