About this Unit
USS Billfish (SSN-676) was a Sturgeon-class attack submarine commissioned into the United States Navy on March 12, 1971. Built by General Dynamics Electric Boat Division, she served throughout the Cold War, undertaking a variety of missions including anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and intelligence gathering. Billfish participated in numerous fleet exercises and deployments, often operating in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. After nearly three decades of service, she was decommissioned on July 1, 1999, and subsequently scrapped through the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.
Historical Facts
• Name and Class: USS Billfish (SSN-676) was a Sturgeon-class attack submarine of the United States Navy, named after the billfish, a group of predatory fish known for their long, slender bills.
• Launch and Commissioning: The submarine was launched on May 1, 1970, by General Dynamics Electric Boat Division in Groton, Connecticut, and commissioned on March 12, 1971.
• Cold War Service: Billfish served extensively during the Cold War, performing a variety of missions including surveillance, intelligence gathering, and anti-submarine warfare.
• Under-Ice Operations: The submarine participated in under-ice operations in the Arctic, showcasing the capabilities of U.S. attack submarines in extreme environments.
• Special Missions: Billfish was involved in several classified operations, many of which remain undisclosed, highlighting her role in national security during tense periods of the Cold War.
• Overhaul and Upgrades: The submarine underwent a major overhaul and refueling at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine, extending her operational life and improving her systems.
• Achievements: Billfish earned multiple awards including the Battle "E" (Efficiency) award, recognizing her crew’s high standard of performance and readiness.
• International Exercises: The submarine took part in NATO exercises and joint operations with allied navies, strengthening interoperability and tactical proficiency.
• Decommissioning: USS Billfish was decommissioned on July 1, 1999, after 28 years of service, and later scrapped through the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
• Legacy: The ship’s sail (conning tower) was preserved and is on display at the Submarine Force Library and Museum in Groton, Connecticut, as a tribute to her service and the crews who served aboard her.
