USS Kentucky (SSBN-737)

USS Kentucky (SSBN-737), is a United States Navy ballistic missile submarine which has been in commission since 1991. She is the third U.S. Navy ship to be named for Kentucky, the 15th state.

Construction and commissioning
The contract to build Kentucky was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, on 13 August 1985 and her keel was laid down there on 18 December 1987. She was launched on 11 August 1990, sponsored by Carolyn Pennebaker Hopkins, who used a custom blend of Kentucky bourbon whiskey, mixed for the occasion, rather than the traditional bottle of champagne to christen Kentucky. Kentucky was commissioned on 13 July 1991, with Captain Michael G. Riegel commanding the Blue Crew and Captain Joseph Henry commanding the Gold Crew.

Service history
On 19 March 1998 south of Long Island, New York, Kentucky collided with the attack submarine USS San Juan (SSN-751) while the two submarines were conducting a joint training drill prior to deployment. Kentuckys rudder was damaged; San Juans forward ballast tank was breached, but San Juan was able to surface and return to port. No personnel suffered any injuries.

In both 2001 and 2002, Kentucky's Gold Crew won first place in the United States Atlantic Fleet in the Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award Submarine Afloat Galley competition for outstanding food service.

In 2005, both the Blue and Gold Crews of Kentucky were appointed Kentucky Colonels by Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher.

Kentucky was awarded the Battle Efficiency Award (Battle "E") for Submarine Squadron 17 for 2006 and 2009.

Kentucky's Gold Crew was awarded a Captain Edward F. Ney Memorial Award Honorable Mention for food service in 2007.

Kentucky's Blue and Gold Crews were awarded the Omaha Trophy for service as the best ballistic missile submarine in 2009.

On 12 October 2011, Kentucky had its periscope above water, but was hidden below the surface when it turned onto a new course that was blocked by the Totem Ocean ship Midnight Sun. Kentucky came into close contact of about 800 meters with the freighter near British Columbia at the Juan de Fuca Strait.

The ship has been featured in both the History Channel's Modern Marvels "Mega Meals" episode in 2010 and in the Smithsonian Channel's Mighty Ships in 2011.

In January 2013 the Kentucky entered its Engineering Refueling Overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.