From Defense Professional:
The U.S. fleet of 14 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines conducted 31 nuclear deterrent patrols in 2008 at an operational tempo comparable to during the Cold War.
The new patrol information, which was obtained from the U.S. Navy under the Freedom of Information Act, coincides with the completion on February 11, 2009, of the 1,000th deterrent patrol by an Ohio-class submarine since 1982.
The information shows that the United States conducts more nuclear deterrent patrols each year than Russia, France, United Kingdom and China combined.
Patrols by the Number
The 31 patrols conducted in 2008 top a 48-year history of continuous deterrent patrols. Since the USS George Washington (SSBN-598) departed Charleston, S.C., on the first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) patrol on November 15, 1960, 59 SSBNs have conducted 3,814 patrols through 2008.
Read more ....
Update: U.S. Strategic Submarine Patrols Continue at Near Cold War Tempo -- Your Industry News
My Comment: No wonder the Russians declared their intention of increasing their military budget substantially yesterday .... they see countries like the U.S. maintaining a Cold War readiness.