USS Puffer SSN652

• Name and Class: USS Puffer (SSN-652) was a Sturgeon-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, named after the pufferfish. • Launch and Commissioning: She was launched on March 30, 1968, and commissioned into service on August 9, 1969. • Shipbuilder: The submarine was constructed at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Mississippi. • Cold War Service: USS Puffer played an active role during the Cold War, conducting intelligence-gathering and surveillance missions in the Pacific. • Special Operations: She was involved in several classified operations, including reconnaissance missions near Soviet-controlled waters. • 1980 Reactor Incident: In 1980, Puffer experienced a seawater leak into her nuclear reactor's secondary coolant system, prompting a significant safety response and repairs. • Filming Location: Scenes for the 1989 film "The Hunt for Red October" were filmed aboard the USS Puffer, particularly for the submarine interior shots. • Awards: The submarine and her crew received multiple awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation, Battle "E" Efficiency Awards, and the Navy Expeditionary Medal. • Final Decommissioning: USS Puffer was decommissioned on July 12, 1996, after nearly 27 years of service, and later scrapped via the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program. • Legacy: The sail of USS Puffer is preserved as a memorial at the Bremerton, Washington, naval museum, serving as a tribute to her service and crew.