About this Unit
USS South Carolina (CGN-37) was a California-class nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser commissioned into the United States Navy in January 1975. Designed for anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare, she served as a multi-role escort for aircraft carrier battle groups during the Cold War. South Carolina participated in numerous deployments, including operations in the Mediterranean, North Atlantic, and the Persian Gulf, supporting U.S. interests and NATO allies. After over two decades of service, the cruiser was decommissioned in July 1999 and later scrapped as part of the Navy's reduction of its nuclear cruiser fleet.
Historical Facts
•
First of Her Name: USS South Carolina (CGN-37) was the lead ship of her class of nuclear-powered guided missile cruisers, and the second ship in U.S. Navy history to bear the name "South Carolina."
•
Commissioned in 1975: She was commissioned on 25 January 1975, representing a significant leap in naval technology with her nuclear propulsion.
•
Nuclear Power: As a nuclear-powered cruiser, the South Carolina had virtually unlimited range and endurance, requiring refueling only every 10–15 years.
•
Carrier Escort Role: The ship was specifically designed to escort aircraft carriers and provide anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine protection.
•
First Atlantic Fleet Nuclear Cruiser: She was the first nuclear-powered surface combatant permanently assigned to the Atlantic Fleet.
•
1986 Libya Operation: USS South Carolina participated in Operation El Dorado Canyon, the U.S. strike against Libya in April 1986, providing air defense for the carriers and surface action group.
•
Cold War Patrols: Throughout her career, the ship was a key player in Cold War naval operations, often shadowing Soviet vessels in the Atlantic and Mediterranean.
•
Historic Mediterranean Deployment: In 1981, South Carolina made a record-setting, uninterrupted 126-day deployment at sea in the Mediterranean, showcasing the advantages of nuclear propulsion.
•
Decommissioned Early: Despite her advanced technology, she was decommissioned early (1999) due to the high costs associated with maintaining and refueling nuclear-powered surface ships.
•
Recycling and Legacy: After decommissioning, the ship was dismantled and recycled through the Navy’s Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, but her legacy lives on as a testament to the nuclear era of surface combatants.
