The Helena (SSN 725) is a 37th Los Angeles-class nuclear attack submarine and the fourth United States Ship to bear the name of the capital city of the state of Montana. Her keel was laid down on September 16, 1984, at General Dynamics Corporation, Electric Boat Division in Groton, Connecticut. She was christened and launched on June 28, 1986; and was commissioned on July 11, 1987; Cmdr. Thomas Moore is the first commanding officer.

USS Helena completed a rigorous shakedown schedule following commissioning, then returned to Electric Boat shipyard on January 5, 1988, for a seven-month Post Shakedown Availability (PSA). The sub transaited through the Panama Canal on Sept. 15 en route to its homeport of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

September ?, 1989 The Helena departed Naval Station Pearl Harbor for its maiden six-month western Pacific deployment.

In Summer 1990, USS Helena participated in Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise and later conducted an Operational Test Launch (OTL) of the newly developed Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM). In the first half of 1991, the ship completed two back to back northern Pacific operations and MK50 Advanced Lightweight Torpedo Testing.

February ?, 1992 USS Helena departed homeport for a scheduled western Pacific deployment.

In 1993, the Helena was the first U.S. submarine to serve in direct support of an Amphibious Readiness Group’s deployment certification, as preparations for her Arabian Gulf deployment in October 1993, as part of the USS Independence (CV 62) Battle Group. Returned to Pearl Harbor in April 1994. In May she participated in RIMPAC '94 and conducted Prospective Commanding Officer (PCO) operations. Completed Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in late 1994.

June ?, 1995 USS Helena departed Pearl Harbor for a six-month western Pacific deployment.

April ?, 1997 SSN 725 departed homeport for its fifth major deployment and an inter-fleet transfer to Kittery, Maine.

February 26, 1998 The Los Angeles-class attack submarine entered the dry-dock at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for a 12-month Depot Modernization Period (DMP). The work included the replacement of Reactor Coolant pumps, installation of a completely new Fire Control and Sonar systems, in addition to installation of a microprocessor based reactor plant instrumentation.

April 23, 1999 USS Helena arrived in its new homeport of Naval Submarine Base Point Loma in San Diego, Calif., after a four-week transit from Kittery, Maine. Port calls to Port Canaveral, Fla., and Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico.

From October through November 1999, USS Helena was underway in the northern Pacific and was awarded a citation from the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) for the highly successful prosecution of Russian Oscar II guided-missile submarine.

June 26, 2000 USS Helena departed San Diego for a scheduled western Pacific deployment.

In September, SSN 725 participated in a multi-national submarine rescue exercise Pacific Reach 2000, with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), Republic of Korea Navy, and Republic of Singapore Navy. Returned home in December after a port calls to Yokosuka, Japan; Chinhae, ROK; Sasebo, Japan; Apra Harbor, Guam; and Singapore.

In the early 2001, the Helena conducted local training operations and services in the SOCAL Op. Area. In April and May, she underwent an intensive upkeep period during which the BQQ-10 ARCI Phase III Sonar System was installed.

In June, USS Helena was underway in the eastern Pacific and made a brief stop to Astoria, Oregon.

From July through October, the Los Angeles-class submarine conducted local operation and also participated in a Joint Fleet Training Exercise (JFTEX).

From March through May 2002, the Helena conducted highly successful Under-Ice exercises and assisted in the training of the USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Battle Group. Port calls to Guam; Yokosuka, Japan; and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

From June through August, SSN 725 completed installations of a completely new Fire Control system and upgrades to communications equipment. Underway for extensive acoustic testing at the Southeast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility (SEAFAC) in Behm Canal off Ketchikan, Alaska, in early 2003.

December ?, USS Helena returned to San Diego after a six-month western Pacific deployment. She participated in various exercises with U.S. assets and allied countries, including a multi-national exercise with Australia. Port calls to Chinhae, ROK; Yokosuka, Japan; Brisbane, Australia; Apra Harbor, Guam; and Saipan.

In March 2004, the Helena was underway in support of Chief of Naval Operation (CNO) project in the northern Pacific and a port call to Bangor, Wash.

In 2005, the Helena participated in Tactical Readiness Support (TRS) and Tactical Weapons Proficiency (TWP) with the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) CSG and supported the USS Abraham Lincoln CSG's Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

September 18, USS Helena returned to Naval Base Point Loma after a six-month deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet AoR. Port calls to Apra Harbor, Guam; Singapore; Sasebo, Japan; and Yoksuka, Japan.

January 10, 2006 SSN 725 entered the Navy’s only floating dry-dock, USS Arco (ARDM 5), at Naval Base Point Loma, for a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA).

May 16, 2007 Commodore of Submarine Squadron 11, Capt. Paul N. Jaenichen, relieved the CO Cmdr. William A. Schwalm, due to a "loss of confidence in his ability to command." Cmdr. Daryl L. Caudle assumed the temporary command of the Helena.

December 14, SSN 725 is currently conducting a submarine familiarization in the Pacific Ocean, as part of the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) CSG.

January 30, 2008 USS Helena departed homeport for a western Pacific deployment.

February 24, The Los Angeles-class attack submarine recently departed Sasebo, Japan, after a four-day port call.

July 30, USS Helena, commanded by Cmdr. Daniel Brunk, returned to San Diego after a six-month underway period.

February 27, 2009 SSN 725 departed homeport to participate in Ice Exercise (ICEX) 2009 in the Arctic Ocean. USS Annapolis (SSN 760) will also be part of the exercise.

April 17, USS Helena returned to San Diego after a 50-day voyage to the Arctic Ocean. The Los Angeles-class submarine operated approximately 200 miles from the north coast of Alaska, near Prudoe Bay, to train and test weapons and different warfare tactics in the Arctic region.

September 2, The Helena arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, for an extended maintenance including several system upgrades over the next 18 months.

September 9, 2010 USS Helena made the seamless transition from the dry dock at PNSY to the waters of the Piscataqua River with the help of their shipyard project team.

May 20, 2011 The Helena departed Portsmouth Naval Shipyard en route to NSB New London in Groton, Conn., after completing the Engineered Overhaul (EOH) in less than 20 months, which is the fastest extended maintenance period in the shipyard in a decade.

June 15, USS Helena moored at Berth 1, Pier 3 at its new homeport of Naval Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Va.

April 10, 2012 USS Helena returned to Norfolk after a two-month deployment in the Southern Command AoO. The sub made a port visit to Cape Canaveral, Fla.

July 20, Cmdr. Jeffrey E. Lamphear relieved Cmdr. Paul L. Dinius as the 10th CO of the Helena during a change-of-command ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk.

April ?, 2013 USS Helena departed Naval Station Norfolk for a scheduled Middle East deployment.

April 22, A Culinary Specialist First Class Randall F. Hopson was found dead aboard the SSN 725, while the sub was transiting Mediterranean Sea.

May 27, The Helena pulled into Khalifa Bin Salman Port (KBSP) in Hidd, Bahrain, for a nine-day upkeep.

September 4, The Los Angeles-class attack submarine arrived in Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Teritory, for a routine port call.

September 19, USS Helena transited the Suez Canal northbound, escorted by USS Mason (DDG 87).?

September 23, SSN 725 pulled into Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, for a five-day port call.

October 15, USS Helena moored at Berth 1, Pier 3 on Naval Station Norfolk following a six-month deployment. The sub traveled more than 50,000 miles and also made port calls to Jebel Ali, U.A.E; and Rota, Spain.

November 15, 2014 USS Helena departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment.

November 28, The Helena moored at South Mole in HM Naval Base Gibraltar, British overseas teritory, for a six-day port call.

December 10, USS Helena moored at Aksaz Naval Base, Turkey, for a brief port call; Transited the Suez Canal on Dec. 14.?

December 23, The Helena recently moored at Khalifa Bin Salman Port, Bahrain, for inchop brief.?

April 13, 2015 The Los Angeles-class attack submarine transited the Suez Canal northbound, escorted by USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98); Inport Souda Bay, Crete, in mid-April.

May 15, USS Helena returned to Naval Station Norfolk after a six-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR). The sub traveled more than 38,500 nautical miles and also made port call to Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates.

June 15, Cmdr. Jason C. Pittman relieved Cmdr. Jeffrey E. Lamphear as CO of SSN 725 during a change-of-command ceremony on board the sub.

July 2, The Helena departed homeport to conduct ammo offload at the Naval Weapons Station Yorktown; Returned to Norfolk on July 10.

July 21, USS Helena entered the Dry Dock #4 at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va., for a four-month Drydocking Continuous Maintenance Availability (D-CMAV). The availability’s critical pathwork will focus on installing new electronics, inspecting the boat’s oil tank, and correcting any deficiencies that arose during deployment. The technology upgrades will include the installation of a modular framework of processors and consoles, high-resolution monitors, and large-screen displays; Undocked on Oct. 25.

November 24, USS Helena returned to Naval Station Norfolk after underway for sea trials; Underway again from Nov. 30- Dec. ?.

February 10, 2016 The Helena moored at Berth 4, Pier 3 on Naval Station Norfolk after a 12-day underway for routine training; Underway in support of the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) CSG's COMPTUEX on March 1?; Underway again on April 23.

April 25, SSN 725 moored at Berth 3, Delta Wharf on Naval Station Mayport, Fla., for a three-day port call; Brief stop off Naval Station Norfolk on May 9; Returned home on May 11.?

July 22, USS Helena moored at Berth 1, Pier 3 on Naval Station Norfolk after underway for routine operations; Underway again from Aug. 1?-18.

September 29, Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News was awarded a $17,7 million contract for the planning of USS Helena Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA). Work is expected to be completed by October 2017.

December 21, USS Helena departed Norfolk for a scheduled North Atlantic deployment.

May 5, 2017 The Helena departed HMNB Clyde in Faslane, Scotland, after a routine port call; Participated in NATO anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise EASTLANT 17, in the Norwegian Sea, from May 8-26.

June 4, USS Helena moored at Carrier Pier 4W in Arsenal de Brest, France, for a four-day port visit in conjunction with the 73rd anniversary of the allied landings in Normandy.

June 19, The Helena made a brief stop off Norfolk to embark Nuclear Propulsion Examination Board (NPEB) personnel for Operational Reactor Safeguards Examination (ORSE).

June 21, USS Helena moored at Berth 1, Pier 3 on Naval Station Norfolk following a six-month deployment. The sub traveled more than 35,000 nautical miles and also made port calls to Haakonsvern, Norway.

August 29, SSN 725 moored at Berth 3, Pier 3 on Naval Station Norfolk after a three-week underway for routine operations; Underway again from Sept. 21- Oct. 2.

October 13, Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News was awarded a $65,1 million modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-16-C-4316) to accomplish the repair, maintenance, upgrades, and modernization efforts on USS Helena during Drydocking Selected Restricted Availability (DSRA). Work is expected to be completed by April 2018.

May 4, 2018 Cmdr. Andrew M. Cain relieved Cmdr. Jason C. Pittman as CO of the Helena during a change-of-command ceremony at Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, Va.

August 10, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) was awarded a $38,9 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-16-C-4316) for the USS Helena's DSRA; Another $42,6 million modification was awarded on Sept. 26.

September 24, 2019 Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) was awarded a $38 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-16-C-4316) for the USS Helena's DSRA. Work is expected to be completed in January 2020.

July 13, 2020 Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) was awarded a $35,3 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-16-C-4316) for the USS Helena's DSRA. Work is expected to be completed by October.

September 28, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) was awarded a $13 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-16-C-4316) for the USS Helena's DSRA. Work is expected to be completed by January 2021.

February 2, 2021 Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) was awarded a $12,5 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-16-C-4316) for the USS Helena's DSRA. Work is expected to be completed by April.

February 26, Cmdr. David Nichols relieved Cmdr. Andrew M. Cain as CO of the Helena during a change-of-command ceremony on Naval Station Norfolk.

April 7, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) was awarded an $8,8 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-16-C-4316) for the USS Helena's DSRA. Work is expected to be completed by May.

May 20, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) was awarded an $10,7 million modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-16-C-4316) for the USS Helena's DSRA. Work is expected to be completed by July 22.

October 1?, USS Helena departed Newport News shipyard for sea trials after piersided for four years; Brief stop off Naval Station Norfolk on Oct. 19; Moored at Berth 5, Pier 3 on Oct. 21; Brief underway on Dec. 1; Moved to Berth 4, Pier 3 on Dec. 9; Underway again from Jan. 8-?.

January 19, 2022 USS Helena moved from Berth 4 to Berth 5, Pier 3 on Naval Station Norfolk; Moved to Berth 3, Pier 3 on Feb. 10; Moved to Berth 4, Pier 3 on March 16; Moved "dead-stick" to Dry Dock #8 in Norfolk Naval Shipyard on May 24.

October 4, 2023 USS Helena moved "dead-stick" from Berth 35, Norfolk Naval Shipyard to Berth 4, Pier 3 on Naval Station Norfolk; Underway for sea trials on Dec. 4; Brief stop off Norfolk on Dec. 7; Returned home on Dec. ?.

February 1, 2024 USS Helena moored at Berth 4, Pier 3 on Naval Station Norfolk after a three-day underway for sea trials; Underway again on March ?; Brief stop off Norfolk for personnel transfer on March 12; Returned home on March 15.

April ?, The Helena departed Naval Station Norfolk for routine training; Brief stop off Norfolk for personnel transfer on April 5 and 17th; Moored at Berth 4, Pier 3 on April 19.