Caption:
Norfolk, Va. (March 25, 2006) - The guided missile submarine USS
Florida (SSGN 728) departs Norfolk Naval Shipyard en route to sea
trials following conversion from SSBN to SSGN at Norfolk Naval
Shipyard. Florida is scheduled to return to service in May 2006. As the
second of four submarines to be converted to SSGN, the nuclear-powered
submarine will have the capability to launch up to 154 Tomahawk cruise
missiles, conduct sustained special forces operations, support up to
102 special operations forces (SOF) personnel for short durations or 66
SOF personnel for sustained operations and provide 67 percent
operational availability forward deployed in support of combatant
mission requirements. U.S. Navy photo by Mr. Steve Milner (RELEASED)
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