USS William H Bates SSN 650

• Namesake Tribute: USS William H. Bates (SSN-680) was originally named USS Redfish, but was renamed in 1969 to honor Congressman William H. Bates, a strong advocate for the U.S. Navy and submarine force. • Sturgeon-class Submarine: The boat was a Sturgeon-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, a critical class during the Cold War, designed for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and intelligence gathering. • Launch and Commission: William H. Bates was launched on June 11, 1971, by General Dynamics Electric Boat Division in Groton, Connecticut, and commissioned on May 5, 1973. • Cold War Operations: The submarine participated in numerous covert intelligence missions and surveillance patrols in the Atlantic and Mediterranean during the height of the Cold War. • Arctic Operations: William H. Bates conducted under-ice operations in the Arctic, showcasing the versatility and endurance of nuclear submarines in polar conditions. • Homeport Change: In 1976, the submarine changed homeport from Groton, Connecticut, to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, reflecting a strategic shift to the Pacific theater. • Rescue Exercise: During her service, the submarine participated in joint rescue exercises, demonstrating the Navy’s ability to respond to submarine emergencies. • Notable Deployments: William H. Bates completed several Western Pacific deployments, visiting ports such as Subic Bay (Philippines), Yokosuka (Japan), and Guam, strengthening international naval partnerships. • Deactivation and Decommissioning: The submarine was deactivated on February 3, 2000, and officially decommissioned on February 11, 2000, after nearly 27 years of service. • Recycling: The submarine entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, and was fully recycled by November 29, 2002.