About this Unit
USS Finback (SSN-670) was a Sturgeon-class attack submarine commissioned into the United States Navy on February 4, 1970. Designed for anti-submarine warfare and intelligence-gathering missions during the Cold War, she conducted numerous patrols and participated in fleet exercises throughout the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Finback played a significant role in supporting U.S. naval operations, enhancing undersea warfare capabilities, and maintaining a strategic deterrent presence. After nearly three decades of distinguished service, she was decommissioned on March 28, 1997.
Historical Facts
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Sturgeon-class Submarine: USS Finback (SSN-670) was a Sturgeon-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, a backbone class of the US Navy’s submarine force during the Cold War.
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Named for a Whale: The submarine was named after the finback whale, continuing a US Navy tradition of naming submarines after sea creatures.
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Commissioning: USS Finback was commissioned on February 4, 1970, at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut.
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Arctic Operations: The Finback was one of the submarines that regularly operated under the Arctic ice, conducting scientific and military missions in the polar regions.
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Submarine Rescue Drills: In July 1972, USS Finback participated in a high-profile submarine rescue training exercise, demonstrating her crew's capability to handle emergencies.
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Cold War Patrols: Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Finback conducted numerous covert patrols and intelligence-gathering missions as part of the US Navy’s efforts to monitor Soviet naval activity.
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Special Operations: The submarine was occasionally used to deploy and recover special operations forces, showcasing her versatility beyond traditional attack submarine roles.
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Final Deployment: Her last deployment before decommissioning included a six-month Mediterranean cruise, where she participated in fleet exercises and port visits.
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Decommissioning: USS Finback was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on March 28, 1997, after 27 years of service.
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Recycling: The submarine was disposed of through the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, with recycling completed in 1998.
