USS Toledo (SSN-769)

USS "Toledo" (SSN-769), a "Los Angeles"-class submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Toledo, Ohio. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 10 June 1988 and her keel was laid down on 6 May 1991. She was launched on 28 August 1993 sponsored by Mrs. Sabra Smith, and commissioned on 24 February 1995, with Commander Jack Loye III in command. The submarine was a cover story of the April 6, 1998 issue "US News & World Report".

Deployments

The USS Toledo returned to the Naval Submarine Base New London in mid-April 2003 after having taken part in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On 7 December 2004, "Toledo" returned to Groton, Connecticut, after a six-month deployment in the Persian Gulf with the "John F. Kennedy" carrier strike group that included port calls in Crete, Dubai, and Bahrain. Her route home from Bahrain was unusual, rounding the Cape of Good Hope rather than using the Suez Canal. Once back in the North Atlantic, she was diverted for a classified drug interdiction mission with the Joint Interagency Task Force–South in the Caribbean Sea.

On 31 January 2006, "Toledo" again departed for a six-month deployment to CENTCOM. Port calls included Augusta Bay, IT,Dubai, the British island territory of Diego Garcia and La Maddalena. The ship returned from this deployment on 31 July 2006 and a change of command ceremony took place on 10 August 2006 where CDR Goldman relieved CDR Schnieder.

Maintenance

Northrop Grumman Corporation has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Navy for maintenance work, known as a depot modernization period, on the nuclear-powered submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769). The initial planning contract is valued at approximately $34.7 million. The total estimated value, including the actual execution, is valued at approximately $175 million. The ship is scheduled to arrive in mid-November 2006 to Newport News, VA for a performance period lasting approximately 13 months, 10 of which will include dry dock work. Planning work will begin immediately. This is a competitive award under a Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) multiple award contract.

Due to delays in modernizing the ship, the availability has been extended until fall of 2008. The Toledo is expected to return to Groton, CT upon completion of sea trials after the shipyard period.

Kursk conspiracy theory

Conspiracy theorists claim that the Russian submarine, Kursk which sunk in Barents Strait of the Barents Sea was accidentally crashed into by the USS Toledo and possibly torpedoed by the USS Memphis which were claimed to be spying on Kursk which was conducting weapon practice in the region. Conspiracy theorists support their thesis by the two circular holes on Kursk's wreck (claimed to be the proof Kursk being torpedoed by a submarine) and USS Toledo's being sent to Norway for repairs on 15th of August, 3 days after the incident.

Although there were officially declared Norwegian and American submarines in the region USS Toledo wasn't among them and it is quite peculiar for a nuclear submarine like USS Toledo to be sent for repairs three days after the incident took place. Nuclear submarines are known for their endurance and durability. Despite what theorists believe, the Russian government's stated official cause for the Russian submarine Kursk explosion was due to a torpedo detonation.

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