Halibut II (SSG(N)-587)
A large species of flatfish found on both sides of the Atlantic.
II
Halibut (SSG(N)-587) was launched by Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California, 9 January 1959; sponsored by Mrs. Chet Holifield, wife of Congressman Holifield of California ; and commissioned 4 January 1960, Lt. Comdr. Walter Dedrick in command.
Halibut had the distinction to be the first submarine in the world designed and built from the keel up to launch guided missiles. Intended to carry the Regulus I missile, Halibut departed for her shakedown cruise 11 March. On the way to Australia 25 March she became the first nuclear powered submarine to successfully launch a guided missile. The submarine returned to Mare Island Shipyard 18 June 1960, and after short training cruises departed 7 November for Pearl Harbor and active service with Pacific Fleet. During her first deployment she successfully launched her seventh consecutive Regulus I missile during a major Southeast Asia Treaty Organization weapons demonstration. Returning to Pearl Harbor 9 April 1961, Halibut began her second deployment 1 May. During the months that followed she participated in several guided missile launching exercises and underwent intensive training.
Halibut deployed for the third time to the Western Pacific in late 1961, establishing a pattern of training and readiness operations followed through 1964. On 4 May 1964 Halibut departed Pearl Harbor for the last Regulus missile patrol to be made by a submarine in the Pacific. Then, from September through December, Halibut joined eight other submarines in testing and evaluating the attack capabilities of the Permit Class submarines.
In February 1965 Halibut entered Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard for a major overhaul, and on 15 August she was redesignated SS(N)-587. The nuclear attack submarine sailed from Pearl Harbor 6 September for the West Coast, arriving Keyport, Wash., the 20th. On 5 October she departed Keyport for Pearl Harbor and, after an 8-day stopover at Mare Island, Oalif., arrived 21 October. Halibut then began ASW operations in the area, continuing through 1966 and to date in 1967 adding powerfully to the deterrent strength of the United States in the Pacific.
