About this Unit
USS Drum (SSN-677) was a Sturgeon-class attack submarine commissioned into the United States Navy on April 23, 1972. Built at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, she served primarily in the Atlantic Fleet, conducting a variety of missions including surveillance, intelligence gathering, and anti-submarine warfare during the Cold War. Drum participated in numerous training exercises and deployments, contributing to the Navy's strategic deterrence and undersea warfare capabilities. After over two decades of service, she was decommissioned on February 30, 1995, and later scrapped as part of the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.
Historical Facts
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USS Drum (SSN-677) Class and Commissioning: The USS Drum was a Sturgeon-class attack submarine, commissioned on April 23, 1972, at Groton, Connecticut.
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Namesake Legacy: She was the second U.S. Navy vessel named “Drum,” honoring the drum fish. The first was a famous World War II submarine (SS-228).
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Cold War Silent Service: Drum served as part of the U.S. Navy’s "silent service" during the height of the Cold War, contributing to the strategic deterrence missions and intelligence gathering.
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Pacific Fleet Assignment: After commissioning, Drum joined the Pacific Fleet and was homeported in San Diego, California, before later moving to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
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Under-Ice Operations: The USS Drum participated in under-ice operations in the Arctic, demonstrating the capabilities of Sturgeon-class submarines to operate in polar regions.
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Notable Deployments: Drum completed numerous deployments to the Western Pacific (WESTPAC), Indian Ocean, and other regions, supporting various U.S. interests and allied exercises.
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Special Operations Support: Like many Sturgeon-class submarines, Drum was involved in covert special operations, though the details remain classified.
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Refueling Overhaul: In the 1980s, Drum underwent a nuclear refueling and modernization overhaul at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, extending her operational life.
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Decommissioning: USS Drum was decommissioned on February 30, 1995 (officially struck from the Naval Vessel Register on March 30, 1995), after over 22 years of service.
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Recycling and Legacy: After decommissioning, Drum was recycled through the Navy’s Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound. Her legacy continues through the stories of her crew and her role in undersea operations during the Cold War.
