The guided missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728) departs Norfolk Naval Shipyard en route to sea trials following conversion from SSBN to SSGN at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Florida is scheduled to return to service in May 2006.

Norfolk, Va. (Mar. 25, 2006) The guided missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728) departs Norfolk Naval Shipyard en route to sea trials following conversion from SSBN to SSGN at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Florida is scheduled to return to service in May 2006. As the second of four submarines to be converted to SSGN, the nuclear-powered submarine will have the capability to launch up to 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, conduct sustained special forces operations, support up to 102 special operations forces (SOF) personnel for short durations or 66 SOF personnel for sustained operations and provide 67 percent operational availability forward deployed in support of combatant mission requirements. U.S. Navy photo by Mr. Andy Borchardt File# 060325-N-0000B-001