USS Seawolf (SSN-21)

USS Seawolf (SSN-21), the lead ship of her class, is the fourth submarine of the United States Navy named for the seawolf, a solitary fish with strong, prominent teeth and projecting tusks that give it a savage look. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics and Newport News Shipbuilding on 9 January 1989 and her keel was laid down on 25 October 1989. She was launched on 24 June 1995, sponsored by Mrs. Margaret Dalton, and commissioned on 19 July 1997 with Commander David M. McCall in command.

History
The USS Seawolf was a product of the Cold War, designed as a replacement for the Los Angeles-class submarine submarines and as a response to the Soviet Akula-class submarine. According to the Navy's "Undersea Warfare" magazine, Seawolf is quieter at high speed than a Los Angeles submarine is pierside. Originally 29 were planned for production, but with the end of the Cold War, the cost was judged to be prohibitively high and only 3 were built in favor of the smaller Virginia-class submarine submarines, which were expected to be about 10% cheaper.

Between 25–27 March 2006, a series of anti-submarine warfare exercises were held in Hawaiian waters that included the Seawolf; Carrier Strike Group Nine; the nuclear-powered attack submarines USS Cheyenne (SSN-773), USS Greeneville (SSN-772), USS Tucson (SSN-770), and USS Pasadena (SSN-752), as well as land-based P-3 Orion aircraft from patrol squadrons VP-4, VP-9, and VP-47.

On 22 July 2007, the submarine transferred from her previous homeport of Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, to permanently reside at SubBase Bangor in Silverdale, Washington]].

Adding support personnel as well as ship's crew, there are 140 personnel attached to the Seawolf.

1997

 * Secretary of the Navy Letter of Commendation (1995–1997)

2001

 * Battle Efficiency "E" Ribbon

2002

 * Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (2002 – ?)

2004

 * Battle Efficiency "E" Ribbon

2007

 * Tactical White "T"
 * Battle Efficiency "E" Ribbon
 * Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award
 * Meritorious Unit Commendation

2009

 * Navy Unit Commendation