USS San Juan (SSN-751)

USS San Juan (SSN-751), a Los Angeles-class submarine, is the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for San Juan, Puerto Rico. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 30 November 1982 and her keel was laid down on 9 August 1985. She was launched on 6 December 1986 sponsored by Mrs. Sherrill Hernandez, and commissioned on 6 August 1988, with CDR Charles Young in command.

As of 2012 the San Juan is assigned to Submarine Group Two and commanded by CDR Oliver Lewis.

History
San Juan was the first Los Angeles class (688-class) submarine to receive a number of significant improvements to the class's basic design, creating the 688I (for "improved 688"). San Juan and all following submarines in her class are quieter, incorporated an advanced AN/BSY-1 sonar suite combat system. The improvements also included the ability to lay mines from the torpedo tubes. The San Juan 's sail was also strengthened, enabling the ability to break through ice.

First Through Ice Surfacing
In 1993 the San Juan conducted the first through-ice surfacing for a 688i class submarine in the Arctic.

Collision with USS Kentucky
On 19 March 1998 off the coast of Long Island, New York the submerged San Juan collided with the surfaced fleet ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN-737). There were no injuries reported with the collision.

Lost Communication
On 13 March 2007, San Juan was the subject of a search and rescue mission by elements of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group when a red flare was spotted in her projected vicinity, suggesting an emergency. Communications were established by the early hours of the next day when San Juan surfaced, and no problems were indicated.

Visit to South Africa
On 4 November 2009 the San Juan arrived at Simon's Town, South Africa. The ship engaged in at-sea maneuvers with the South African Navy for the first time in U.S. history.

2010 Overhaul
The San Juan and crew arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY), Maine, on 8 April 2010 for an engineered overhaul (EOH); for maintenance and receive system upgrades. On 4 August 2011, PNSY Shipyard workers successfully undock the San Juan one day early from the overhaul. The shipyard is a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command to maximizing the material readiness of the Fleet.

Awards

 * Battle E – 8 January 2010

Submarine Group Two complement
The other ships along with the San Juan are:
 * USS California (SSN-781)
 * USS Helena (SSN-725)
 * PCU Minnesota (SSN 783)
 * PCU Mississippi (SSN 782)
 * PCU North Dakota (SSN 784)
 * USS Philadelphia (SSN-690)
 * USS Virginia (SSN-774)

Part of Submarines Atlantic Fleet

 * Support Commands
 * Naval Submarine Support Center, Naval Submarine Base New London
 * Naval Submarine Torpedo Facility, Yorktown
 * Regional Support Group
 * Submarine Group TWO
 * Submarine Squadron Two – Groton, CT
 * Submarine Squadron Four – Groton, CT
 * Submarine Squadron Six – Norfolk, VA
 * Submarine Development Squadron Twelve – Groton, CT
 * Submarine Squadron 16 – Kings Bay, GA.
 * Submarine Squadron 20 – Kings Bay, GA.