The contract to build Ohio was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation, Groton, Connecticut on July 1, 1974. Her keel was laid by Mrs. Robert Taft, wife of Senator Taft, on April 10, 1976. On February 2, 1978, the Precommissioning Unit was formed with Commander A. K. Thompson as its Commanding Officer. Ohio was launched April 7, 1979, and christened by Mrs. Annie Glenn, wife of Senator John H. Glenn. In the summer of 1981, sea trials were held to test the equipment and systems, and the submarine was delivered to the US Navy on October 28, 1981. On November 11, 1981, Ohio was commissioned. The principal speaker, The Honorable George H. W. Bush, Vice President of the United States, remarked to the 8000 assembled guests that the ship introduced a "new dimension in our nation's strategic deterrence," and Admiral Hyman G. Rickover noted that the Ohio should "strike fear in the hearts of our enemies." On that day, Captain A. K. Thompson assumed command of USS Ohio (SSBN 726)(BLUE) and Captain A. F. Campbell assumed command of USS Ohio (SSBN 726)(GOLD).
Following Post Shakedown Availability at Electric Boat Division, Ohio left the Atlantic and transited to her new home port, Bangor, Washington, by way of Cape Canaveral where she tested her missile launch systems and the Panama Canal, arriving on August 12, 1982. During August and September 1982, the first loadout of Trident C-4 missiles and a predeployment refit were conducted. Ohio and her Blue Crew departed on the first Trident Submarine Strategic Deterrent Patrol in October 1982.
From June 1993 to June 1994 Ohio underwent overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington, receiving extensive upgrades to sonar, fire control, and navigation systems. Ohio resumed strategic deterrent patrols in January 1995 as part of Submarine Squadron Seventeen, Submarine Group Nine, Pacific Submarine Force.
Original plans called for Ohio to be retired in 2002. However, Ohio and three sister ships will be modified and remain in service as conventional missile submarines (SSGNs). In November 2002 Ohio entered drydock, beginning a 36-month refueling and conversion overhaul. She is scheduled to rejoin the fleet in 2007. See the discussion of the entire Ohio class for details.