At this point the Blue crew retained the ship for shakedown operations, while the Gold crew departed to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Kings Bay, Georgia to start their offcrew training cycle. "Maryland" departed Groton for Kings Bay on 15 June 1992 and immediately started preparation for strategic certification, with the Blue crew achieving a successful test launch on 29 Jul 1992, and starting Trident D-5 missile Demonstration and Shakedown Operations (DASO) on 7 July 1992. The first exchange of command occurred on 4 September 1992, with the Gold crew taking charge of "Maryland", and completing their phase of DASO on 22 October 1992. Various other inspections and training exercises were conducted throughout 1992. The Blue crew relieved the Gold crew 26 January 1993 and continued with preparations for strategic certification. "Maryland" returned to Groton on 30 January 1993 for post-shakedown maintenance prior to assuming responsibility for strategic deterrent patrols. "Maryland" returned to Kings Bay, Georgia on 9 April 1993. "Maryland" completed various weapons and tactical certifications and then returned to Kings Bay on 4 May 1993 to join Submarine Squadron 20 and commence preparations for the first strategic deterrent patrol. The initial loadout of Trident D-5 missiles was completed at this point. The Gold crew relieved the Blue crew 7 May 1993 and continued the refit. On 19 June 1993 "Maryland" went underway on her first strategic deterrent patrol, which started her strategic patrol cycle. On 24 September 1993, "Maryland" ran aground at Port Canaveral, Florida, after conducting a medical evacuation of an ill crew member, and returned to Kings Bay to inspect for damage. Damage to the submarine was minimal, and the investigation found that the crew was not responsible. "Maryland" then resumed her second deterrent patrol on 26 September 1993. On 5 May 2002, ETC (SS) LeRoy W. Young, USN, died of a heart attack while deployed on "Maryland". His funeral was held while in port, 12 May 2002, and the ship resumed its patrol shortly afterwards. Chief Michael Jackson 2008 MM2 Nicholas Baxter 2010 ET Langen 2012  "Maryland" has been involved in several Follow-on Commander's Evaluation Tests (FCET) of its Trident D-5 SLBM missile system. The FCET launches a specially modified missile without a nuclear payload, and is used to test the performance of the Trident missile system. On 16 October 2001, "Maryland" joined Battle Group in an exercise that resulted in the sinking of ex-.