USS Finback (SSN-670)

• 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. • Named for a Whale: The submarine was named after the finback whale, continuing a US Navy tradition of naming submarines after sea creatures. • Commissioning: USS Finback was commissioned on February 4, 1970, at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut. • 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. • 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. • 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. • Special Operations: The submarine was occasionally used to deploy and recover special operations forces, showcasing her versatility beyond traditional attack submarine roles. • Final Deployment: Her last deployment before decommissioning included a six-month Mediterranean cruise, where she participated in fleet exercises and port visits. • Decommissioning: USS Finback was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on March 28, 1997, after 27 years of service. • 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.