USS Pargo (SSN-650)

• Named After a Fish: USS Pargo (SSN-650) was the second U.S. Navy ship named after the pargo, a fish found in the West Indies and South Atlantic. • Sturgeon-Class Submarine: Pargo was a Sturgeon-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, part of a class known for their improved sonar and quieting features during the Cold War. • Commissioning: USS Pargo was commissioned on January 5, 1968, at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut. • Cold War Service: Throughout the Cold War, Pargo conducted numerous classified missions, including intelligence gathering and surveillance operations in the Atlantic and Arctic oceans. • Arctic Operations: Pargo was one of the first submarines to operate extensively under the Arctic ice, making multiple trips beneath the polar ice cap and surfacing through the ice. • Scientific Contributions: During the 1993 SCICEX (Scientific Ice Expeditions), Pargo helped collect vital scientific data on the Arctic environment, showcasing the submarine's utility beyond military missions. • Collision Incident: In 1985, Pargo collided with a Soviet submarine in the Atlantic. Both subs were able to return to port with minor damage, highlighting the intense underwater cat-and-mouse games of the era. • Extended Overhaul: In the early 1980s, Pargo underwent a significant overhaul at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, receiving advanced sonar and fire control upgrades. • Decommissioning: USS Pargo was decommissioned on April 14, 1995, after 27 years of service, and was later scrapped through the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program. • Crew Tradition: Pargo's crew developed a tradition of sending a toy pargo fish on every mission, which became a beloved mascot and symbol of good luck during deployments.