About this Unit
USS Archerfish (SSN-678) was a Sturgeon-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned by the United States Navy in December 1971. Throughout her service, Archerfish conducted numerous Cold War patrols and intelligence-gathering missions, primarily in the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions. She participated in a variety of fleet exercises and was known for her stealth and advanced sonar capabilities, enhancing the Navy's underwater warfare operations. After more than two decades of active duty, USS Archerfish was decommissioned in March 1998 and later scrapped as part of the Navy's Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.
Historical Facts
• Namesake Heritage: USS Archerfish (SSN-678) was the second US Navy ship named after the archerfish, a small fish known for shooting jets of water to hunt insects.
• Sturgeon-class Legacy: Archerfish was a Sturgeon-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, part of a vital Cold War fleet designed for anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering.
• Launch and Commissioning: The submarine was launched on 17 January 1971 by the General Dynamics Electric Boat Division in Groton, Connecticut, and commissioned on 17 December 1971.
• Homeport and Operations: Archerfish was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, with her homeport in Groton, Connecticut, and was later transferred to Naval Station San Diego.
• Cold War Patrols: During the 1970s and 1980s, Archerfish conducted numerous covert patrols in the Atlantic and Mediterranean, tracking Soviet submarines and collecting intelligence.
• Arctic Operations: In 1986, Archerfish participated in ICEX (Ice Exercise), surfacing through Arctic ice—an impressive technical feat that showcased USN Arctic capabilities.
• Special Missions: Archerfish was involved in several classified operations, including surveillance and special forces delivery missions, details of which remain largely undisclosed.
• Humanitarian Efforts: The submarine and her crew provided aid to civilians during port visits, participating in community relations projects and disaster relief exercises.
• Decommissioning and Recycling: USS Archerfish was decommissioned on 29 March 1998 and entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program in Bremerton, Washington, in 1998.
• Legacy and Honors: Throughout her service, Archerfish earned multiple awards, including the Navy “E” Ribbon for battle efficiency, reflecting her crew’s high standards and operational excellence.
