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Pronounced PAR-CHEE, This very Famous sub started out on Jan. 13th 1973 as a standard Sturgeon class for the US Navy. When it was all over it had won ten Navy Unit Citations, Thirteen Navy Expeditionary Unit Citations and a single Presidentioal Unit Citation. After a period of time as a Fast Attack submarine it was given new marching orders. It was to become a SPY submarine. After several missions a 100 ft. section was added forward of the sail to house more crew and equipment. Added also was upward and forward facing short range sonars ,armored spotlights and closed circuit TV cameras. It was used to tap into Soviet telephone conversations by locating a telephone trunk line in hostile waters and accessing its internals without allowing water to get into it and cause problems. They would leave a recording device attached to it and come back and change out the recorder. Hazardous to say the least. Special manuevering thrusters were added to help steer the sub on the ocean floor. This adventure was called "IVY BELLS". It was also used to pick up parts from Soviet and Chinese missile launches. After an unmatched career it was Decommisioned on 10-19-2004. It has been replaced by the USS Jimmy Carter as the Govts. "Spy" Submarine. The "Parches" sail is preserved at Bremerton, Washington.
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