USS Charlotte

• USS Charlotte (SSN-766) is a Los Angeles-class submarine: She is the 55th submarine of her class, which is the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s attack submarine force. • Named after Charlotte, North Carolina: The submarine is the fourth U.S. Navy vessel named after the Queen City. • Commissioned in 1994: USS Charlotte was officially commissioned on September 16, 1994, at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia. • Homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii: After her shakedown period, she was assigned to the Pacific Fleet and has operated out of Pearl Harbor for much of her career. • Record-breaking Arctic transit: In 2005, USS Charlotte made a historic surfacing at the North Pole through 61 inches of ice, setting a record for the thickest ice ever broken by a U.S. submarine. • Participation in ICEX exercises: The submarine has participated in multiple Ice Exercise (ICEX) events, demonstrating U.S. Navy capabilities in polar regions. • Extensive deployment history: USS Charlotte has completed numerous Western Pacific and Indian Ocean deployments, supporting U.S. national interests and allied operations. • Featured in television: The submarine was featured on the Discovery Channel documentary “Submarine: Steel Boats, Iron Men” in 1998, giving viewers a rare look inside her operations. • Advanced upgrades: The submarine has undergone modernization overhauls, including updates to her sonar, fire control, and weapons systems to keep her at the cutting edge of undersea warfare. • Symbol of Charlotte, NC: Crew members maintain close ties with their namesake city, including community relations events and visits, strengthening the bond between the vessel and Charlotte’s citizens.