My friend James sent me a few first day covers representing a few important events in the History of the US Navy. I shall present them in stages.
USS Detroit (AOE-4) was the fourth and last Sacramento-class fast combat support ship built for the United States Navy. She was laid down on 29 November 1966 by Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington; launched 21 June 1969; and commissioned on 28 March 1970. She is the fourth United States Navy ship named after Detroit, Michigan (the largest city in the state of Michigan) & the fifth ship total including one commissioned by the British Navy in Canada. This cover commemorates the 10th Anniversary of the Launching of USS Detroit.
Detroit served for 35 years operating primarily with the U.S. 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea and Persian Gulf regions.
USS Saginaw (LST-1188), a Newport-class tank landing ship of the United States Navy was the second ship of that name. Saginaw was named after the Saginaw River, a river in mid-Michigan.
USS Michigan (SSBN-727/SSGN-727) is the second Ohio-class Nuclear Powered Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarine in the United States Navy. She is the third ship to bear the name of the state of Michigan.
Michigan was constructed at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut and was commissioned on 11 September 1982. Michigan arrived in Bangor, Washington on 16 March 1983 and completed sixty-six Strategic Deterrent Patrols.
As of June 2007, Michigan has been converted to an SSGN at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. It was designated SSBN before entering the ship yard.
Michigan is currently at sea in the Pacific, earning its certification before returning to active duty.
As of June 2008, Michigan has completed material and operational certifications for tactical strike and deployment of special forces. The Officers and Crew are currently training to meet her next milestone as a Pacific Fleet asset.
On December 12, 2009 Michigan returned to Naval Base Kitsap, her home base, after completing her first deployment. The deployment began November 10, 2008 and included numerous missions with Naval Special Warfare and experiments with unmanned aerial vehicles. The sub also completed several theater security cooperation engagements with Pacific Rim nations.
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