Commander, Submarine Group Two

Commanding Officer - Cmdr. Chester T. Parks

Executive Officer - Lt. Cmdr. Heath JohnMeyer 

Chief of the Boat - CMDCM(SS) Dave Collins

Statistics

Length: 360 feet	Speed: Greater than 24 knots	Launched: May 18, 1991
Breadth: 33 feet	Depth: Greater than 800 feet	Commissioned: April 11, 1992
Displacement: 6,900 tons	Keel laid: June 18, 1988	Complement: 137 officers and enlisted crew

History

Commissioned on April 11, 1992, Annapolis, named in honor of the capital city of Maryland is the fourth warship to bear the name Annapolis. The first ship named Annapolis was a Patrol Gunboat (PG 10), commissioned in 1867. PG-10 served in the Western Pacific, Central America and the Spanish/American War. PG-10 was decommissioned in 1919. A Patrol Frigate (PF-15), commissioned in 1944, was the second ship named after the “America’s Sailing Capital.” PF-15 was decommissioned in 1946. Prior to SSN 760, the most recent ship to bear the same name was a Major Communications Relay Ship (AGMR-1). Converted from the World War II escort carrer "Gilbert Islands," AGMR-1 earned eight battle stars for service in Vietnam and was decommissioned in 1976.

In late 1993, USS Annapolis (SSN 760) deployed on its first mission to the North Atlantic. Later that year it was awarded the Submarine Group Two Silver Anchor Award for "Superior Performance."  In 1994, Annapolis made its first visit to Bergen, Norway where a few members of the crew had an opportunity to attend some of the 1994 Winter Olympic events before returning to Groton in March. During this deployment the ship and crew earned the Arctic Service Ribbon. Following an in-port refit period, Annapolis participated in a six month pre-deployment workup with USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69), and on Oct. 20, 1994, begn its her first six-month Mediterranean Deployment with the Eisenhower Battle Group. During the deployment, the crew had a chance to make port calls in places as diverse as Gibralter; Toulon, France; La Maddalena, Italy; Limasol, Cypress; and Haifa, Israel. During this deployment Annapolis earned its first Sea Service Ribbon, Naval Expeditionary Medal and Meritorious Unit Commendation. Upon the boat's return, Annapolis was "adopted" by the town of Montville, Conn., in an effort to strengthen community relations.

The boat's next deployment was not until October 1997, when it returned to the Mediterranean Sea with the George Washington Battle Group. In November 1997, in response to an emergent political and military crisis in the Arabian Gulf, Annapolis transited the Suez Canal en route to the Middle East. While on station, Annapolis played a key role as a Tomahawk strike platform.

Port calls were limited but the crew did get a chance to get ashore in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. While in the Gulf, the boat earned its second Sea Service Ribbon and a Naval Unit Commendation. In March of 1998 Annapolis was relieved of her duties by the USS Providence and began the long voyage home.

After more than two years of local operations and extensive upkeep, Annapolis transited back to the Mediterranean in the summer of 2000 for a six-month independent submarine deployment. While in the Mediterranean, the boat had a chance to participate in several multi-national exercises as well as in real-world operations in the Adriatic. Crew members got a chance to spend significant liberty in Gibralter; Rota, Spain; Toulon, France; and LaMaddalena, Italy, and earned its third Sea Service Ribbon and second Naval Expeditionary Medal. The boat returned from this deployment in January of 2001.

USS Annapolis again returned to the Mediterranean in 2002 after 18 months of maintenance and pre-deployment workup. Port visits included: Rota, Spain; Aksaz, Turkey; Souda Bay, Crete; LaMaddalena, Italy; and Toulon, France. USS Annapolis completed several operations and fleet exercises directly supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and the war on terror.

Following the 2002 deployment, USS Annapolis completed a Deport Modernization Period at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. During the maintenance period, USS Annapolis was upgraded with the most modern equipment available including the newest fire control and sonar systems. USS Annapolis completed the maintenance early and returned to fleet service in August 2004.

USS Annapolis began deployment preparations and started operations with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group in the fall of 2004. USS Annapolis deployed as a member of the Theodore Rooselvet Carrier Strike Group in September 2005. After completing operations and international exercises in the Mediterranean, USS Annapolis conducted indpendent operations in the Central Command area of responsibility directly supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. During these operations, USS Annapolis earned another Navy Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.

In late 2007, USS Annapolis participated in the first AFRICOM/European deployment in the West Central African and the Gulf of Guinea in support of Operation Maritime Safari and Africa Partnership Station. The first of its kind deployment enhanced relations between several African countries and the United States.

In April 2008, USS Annapolis commenced a six-month Drydocking Availability, where the ship was groomed with the latest in tactical warfare by receive the newest installs for the Fire Control System and Sonar Suite.

In 2010 and 2011, Annapolis was recognized for numerous accolades to include: Battle Efficiency “E” award for 2011; Deck “D” award for 2010; Administration “A” award for 2010 and 2011; Supply “E” award for 2010 and 2011, and the 2011 Chief of Naval Operations Afloat Safety Award for Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic.

Click below to read stories about Annapolis:

Nov. 12, 2012 - USS Annapolis Sailor Saves Worker's Life

July 12, 2012 -  USS Annapolis Welcomes New Commander  

 

June 27, 2012 - USS Annapolis Returns from Deployment

April 22, 2012 - USS Annapolis Chief of the Boat Relieved

April 10, 2012 - USS Annapolis wins 2011 CNO Afloat Safety Award 

 

Aug. 15, 2011 - USS Annapolis Sailor Chosen Serviceperson of the Month for June

April 30, 2011 - USS Annapolis, USS Ross Sailors Serve those in Need 

April 30, 2011 - USS Annapolis Takes Taster Choice Award at Galley Wars 2011

Aug. 27, 2010 - USS Annapolis Returns from Deployment

July 15, 2010 -   Annapolis Sailor honored by local Rotary

Dec. 3, 2009 - Harvard, U.S. Navy Note Diversity, Centennial of North Pole Discovery