What You Need to Know: The USS Washington (SSN-787), a Virginia-class fast-attack submarine, was awarded the prestigious Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) for exceptional service during a six-month deployment within the U.S. Sixth Fleet.

-The award recognized the crew's outstanding performance in high-risk operations that were vital to national security, yielding sensitive intelligence. During the deployment, SSN-787 operated over 37,000 nautical miles, conducted port visits in Scotland and Norway, and set a record for the most women sailors deployed on a fast-attack submarine.

-In addition to the PUC, the submarine earned the Arctic Service Medal, highlighting its role in maritime security and strategic operations.

Virginia-Class Submarine Awarded Presidential Unit Citation for Exceptional Service

U.S. Navy warships can receive awards for outstanding performance even in peacetime. However, not all of the activities that led to such commendation can be made public, and that is especially true with the Silent Service. However, this week, the U.S. Navy acknowledged that the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Washington (SSN-787) had been awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (PUC) for "outstanding performance in action while conducting operations within U.S. SIXTH Fleet" for its recent six-month deployment.

"The award of the Presidential Unit Citation to the USS Washington is a profound honor, signifying the crew's exceptional dedication and strategic impact," said Vice Adm. Rob Gaucher, commander, Submarine Forces. "Their work in challenging, high risk environments completing vital national level missions demonstrates the key role our submarines play in ensuring maritime security and global stability."

The crew was presented the award during the boat's "change of command ceremony" at Naval Station Norfolk in July.

It was also during the deployment that the submarine – which is known to its crew as the "Blackfish" – saw the "first chief Intelligence Specialist" earn the submarine warfare qualification, known as "dolphins." In total 49 enlisted Sailors and five officers earned their submarine warfare qualification, while 10 officers were promoted to their next rank.

The DoD's Highest Unit Award

The PCU is the Pentagon's highest unit award, and is presented to "any military that has distinguished itself by outstanding performance and heroism in action against enemy forces" – meaning that the crew of SSN-787 took part in one of those stories they'll tell their grandchildren (if it is ever made public of course).

"The PUC is indeed a fairly rare unit award and a significant honor," Tom Shugart, a former U.S. Navy submarine commanding officer and an adjunct senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security, told Newsweek.

What is known is that the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine successfully completed three demanding missions that were described as "vital to national security" and "resulted in obtaining sensitive and unique intelligence information." The boat further executed the Chief of Naval Operations' (CNO's) "maritime strategy by supporting national security interests and maritime security operations."

"The men and women onboard BLACKFISH are justifiably proud of this award and of joining the distinguished list of previous recipients," said Cmdr. Keith Turnbull, USS Washington's commanding officer. "It goes without saying that the crew could not have accomplished what they did without the immense efforts of our support staffs ashore, including the training staff in Norfolk and several other organizations."

In addition to the PCU, CVN-787 received the newly announced "Arctic Service Medal," which does shed some light on at least where it operated.

Six Months a Sea

According to the U.S. Navy, during the sixth month deployment, USS Washington was on station more than any other submarine on record, while it traveled in excess of 37,000 nautical miles. During that time, SSN-787's crew was also able to conduct port visits in Faslane, Scotland, and Grotsund, Norway.

The half-year-long cruise was also conducted with the most women sailors, including one chief petty officer, deployed on a fast-attack submarine to date.

Meet the Washington

The Blackfish is the fourth U.S. Navy vessel to be named for the State of Washington. The first was the Tennessee-class armored cruiser that was later renamed USS Seattle, while the second was the unfinished Colorado-class battleship. Launched in 1921, BB-47 was sunk as a gunnery target three years later. The North Carolina-class battleship, BB-56, saw service in World War II and was scrapped in 1961.

The current USS Washington, the fourth Block III of the Virginia class, was launched in April 2016 and commissioned in October 2017. Like the other boats of her class, SSN-787 is 377 feet long, 34 feet wide, and displaces 7,900 tons when submerged.

Author Experience and Expertise: Peter Suciu

Peter Suciu is a Michigan-based writer. He has contributed to more than four dozen magazines, newspapers, and websites with over 3,200 published pieces over a twenty-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a Contributing Writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: [email protected].

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