Image Credits: Wikipedia The US Navy’s nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine USS Georgia has returned to its homeport after completing its final operational mission. USS Georgia (SSGN 729), an Ohio-class guided-missile submarine based at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, returned home on Monday, July 27, after more than 42 years of service. The submarine is the first of the Navy’s four Ohio-class SSGNs scheduled to leave active service. The Navy said USS Georgia’s final voyage from operations was complete and that the submarine would begin its scheduled inactivation process. The vessel was initially expected to start inactivation on July 31, 2026. However, the Navy later confirmed to The War Zone that the timeline had changed. USS Georgia will remain at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay until it changes homeport to Norfolk for inactivation at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in July 2027. Commissioned on February 11, 1984, USS Georgia was originally built as an Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). It was later converted into a guided-missile submarine (SSGN), with the conversion completed in 2008. The conversion turned USS Georgia into one of only four Ohio-class submarines designed to carry large numbers of precision-strike weapons while also supporting special operations missions. The Ohio-class submarine fleet consists of 18 nuclear-powered submarines, including 14 ballistic missile submarines and four guided-missile submarines. Each submarine is 560 feet (171 metres) long and operates with a crew of around 155 sailors. USS Georgia and the other Ohio-class SSGNs are known for their ability to carry a large number of Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles. The submarine can carry up to 154 Tomahawk missiles, making it one of the most heavily armed submarines operated by the US Navy. The submarine is also capable of supporting special operations forces through dry deck shelters and underwater delivery vehicles. It can also serve as an underwater intelligence a