Sailors assigned to the Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728) gold crew participated in a namesake visit to the city of Tallahassee, Nov. 16-17.

Seventeen crew members, including the boat’s Commanding Officer, Capt. Seth Burton, and Chief of the Boat, Master Chief Machinist’s Mate Joseph Riley, traveled to the state’s capital to participate in the namesake event.

Namesake visits, like the crew’s trip to Tallahassee, enhance public awareness and a greater understanding of the U.S. Navy through their connection with the boat's namesake.

“Our main objective was to connect the citizens of Florida with the Sailors of USS Florida,” said Burton. “This relationship between citizens and Sailors with the community is incredibly important to nurture.”

While in Tallahassee, Sailors visited Mission San Luis to learn about the history of the state capital.

“The 48 hours in Tallahassee were jam packed with amazing history, learning about state government and most importantly building relationships that will positively influence future civil-military relations in the state,” said Burton. “I was particularly impressed with the detailed history regarding the state's proud native people as well as Spanish and English colonial history in the region.”

Sailors were afforded the opportunity to speak with students at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) to discuss the career path of a submarine officer and what life is like as a submariner. Sailor’s also met with local military advocates during a visit to the Governor’s Mansion.

“It was overwhelming for me to see the outpouring of support from so many people for our Sailors and the USS Florida,” said Burton.  “Not only are they so proud to have a ship named in honor of their state, but they are even more proud of the young Sailors that represent them so well in service aboard Florida.”

Guided-missile submarines, like Florida, provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy platform and are armed with tactical missiles and equipped with superior communications capabilities. The Ohio-class platform capitalizes on its existing strengths, endurance and stealth, in maintaining long-term station keeping duty while forward deployed. In addition to having the ability to deploy over 150 tactical missiles, the platform can also be configured to support dedicated accommodations for significant numbers of special operations forces.

After a day of history and government visits, the Sailors toured the athletics department of Florida State University (FSU). They later attended an FSU vs. Boston College football game.

“Relationships were built and experiences were had that will have positive impacts on the crew for years to come,” said Burton. “The expressions of support and pride by the citizens of Florida toward their Citizen-Sailors will immeasurably impact the morale and energy of the crew as they face the challenges ahead together as one team.”

Florida is only one of four Ohio-class guided-missile submarines in the U.S. Navy fleet and one of two SSGNs homeported in Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia.

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