USS Alabama (SSBN-731)

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USS Alabama (SSBN-731)
USS Alabama SSBN 731.jpg
USS Alabama (SSBN-731)
History
Flag of the United States.svgUnited States
NameAlabama
Namesake State of Alabama
Ordered27 February 1978
Builder General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut
Laid down14 October 1980
Launched19 May 1984
Sponsored byMrs. Barbara E. Dickinson
Commissioned25 May 1985
Homeport Bangor, Washington
Motto
Statusin active service
Badge USS Alabama (SSBN-731) crest.png
General characteristics
Class and type Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine
Displacement
  • 16,764 long tons (17,033 t) surfaced [1] [2]
  • 18,750 long tons (19,050 t) submerged [1]
Length560 ft (170 m)
Beam42 ft (13 m) [1]
Draft38 ft (12 m)
Propulsion
SpeedGreater than 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) [5]
Test depthGreater than 800 feet (240 m) [5]
Complement
Armament

USS Alabama (SSBN-731) is the sixth Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, and the seventh United States vessel to be named for the state of Alabama. The boat's motto duplicates the state's motto, Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere ("We dare defend our rights"). [6]

Contents

Construction and commissioning

The contract for Alabama's construction was awarded on 27 February 1978 and her keel was laid down on 14 October 1980 at Groton, Connecticut, by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics. She was launched on 19 May 1984, sponsored by Mrs. Barbara E. Dickinson, wife of William Louis Dickinson, Representative from Alabama, and commissioned at Naval Submarine Base New London at New London, Connecticut, on 25 May 1985.[ citation needed ]

Operational history

After commissioning, Alabama departed Connecticut to conduct her shakedown cruise off the coast of Florida. After several domestic maneuvers and crew changes, Alabama visited Mobile, Alabama, before heading for the Panama Canal and from there to Bangor, Washington. Alabama operated out of Bangor until mid-May 1986, when she embarked on her first strategic deterrent patrol. Operating from the Pacific Northwest, Alabama carried out four deterrent patrols between June and December 1986.

In May 1988, Alabama conducted a successful test ballistic missile firing, launching two Trident I C4 ballistic missiles. On 1 September 1988, Alabama moored at Bangor to complete her ninth deterrent patrol and the 100th strategic deterrent patrol by a Trident-armed submarine. An official ceremony commemorating the event was held pier-side with then-Undersecretary of the Navy H. Lawrence Garrett III heading the official greeting party. Alabama conducted another test ballistic missile firing in August 1989, launching four Trident I C4 ballistic missiles.

In the 1990s Alabama conducted routine refit operations out of Bangor Washington, post-refit sea trials operations in Dabob Bay, and patrol operations in the Pacific Ocean. Ports-of-call included Seattle, Washington; San Diego and Long Beach, California; and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

In February 1991, Alabama was selected as the change of command platform for the Commander-in-Chief Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT) in Pearl Harbor. August 1992, Alabama embarked Commander-in-Chief, United States Strategic Command (CINCSTRATCOM) and his entourage of senior U.S. Air Force and Navy Officers for an at-sea submerged orientation tour concerning SSBN strategic deterrent operations. In January 1996, the boat was awarded the Battle Efficiency E and the Strategic Operations S by the Commander of Submarine Squadron 17. In March she was awarded the U.S. Strategic Command's Omaha Trophy for ballistic missile unit excellence. In March 1999, Alabama conducted exercises with the USS Constellation (CV-64) battle group and USS Topeka (SSN-754). In September she conducted underway operations for the Defense Advisory Counsel on Women in the Services. [7]

After completing 47 strategic deterrent patrols, Alabama underwent a refit in 1999 and returned to service with numerous tactical and survivability upgrades. In spring 2000, Alabama completed her 50th strategic deterrent patrol and celebrated her 15th birthday. During February 2000 she conducted exercises with the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) battle group. In April she conducted a VIP cruise in Dabob Bay, Washington to host the Chief of Defense of Japan and members of his staff. In August she again conducted exercises with the USS Abraham Lincoln battle group. [7]

Alabama entered the Bremerton Annex of Naval Base Kitsap at Bangor in 2005 to undergo a nuclear reactor refueling overhaul and conversion of her ballistic missile systems to support the Trident II D5 ballistic missiles, which replaced her Trident I C4 ballistic missiles and launchers; Alabama was the last Trident C4-equipped submarine to be refitted with the Trident D5 missile system. The refueling overhaul and Trident D5 conversion was completed in February 2009.

As of April 2014, Alabama is part of Submarine Group 9 and her home port is at Naval Submarine Base, Bangor, Washington.

Alabama is the recipient of the 2016 and 2017 Battle "E", her second and third time receiving this award.

Related Research Articles

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USS <i>Patrick Henry</i> (SSBN-599) Submarine of the United States

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USS <i>Ohio</i> (SSGN-726) Submarine of the United States

USS Ohio (SSBN-726/SSGN-726), the lead boat of her class of nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarines (SSBN), is the fourth vessel of the United States Navy to be named for the U.S. state of Ohio. She was commissioned with the hull designation of SSBN-726, and with her conversion to a guided missile submarine she was re-designated SSGN-726.

<i>George Washington</i>-class submarine

The George Washington class was a class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines deployed by the United States Navy. George Washington, along with the later Ethan Allen, Lafayette, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklin classes, comprised the "41 for Freedom" group of submarines that represented the Navy's main contribution to the nuclear deterrent force through the late 1980s.

USS <i>Michigan</i> (SSGN-727) Submarine of the United States

USS Michigan (SSBN-727/SSGN-727) is an Ohio-class nuclear-powered guided missile submarine (SSGN), converted from a ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), that is part of the United States Navy. She is the third vessel to bear the name of the U.S. state of Michigan.

USS <i>Theodore Roosevelt</i> (SSBN-600) George Washington-class submarine

USS Theodore Roosevelt (SSBN-600), a George Washington-class submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for President Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919). Initially unnamed and assigned hull classification symbol SSGN-600 as a guided missile submarine, her keel was laid down on 20 May 1958 by the Mare Island Naval Shipyard using components initially assembled for the Skipjack-class submarine nuclear attack submarine USS Scamp (SSN-588). She was named Theodore Roosevelt and redesignated fleet ballistic missile submarine SSBN-600 on 6 November 1958, launched on 3 October 1959 sponsored by Mrs. Alice Roosevelt Longworth (1884–1980), daughter of the ship's namesake, and commissioned on 13 February 1961 with Commander William E. Sims commanding the Blue Crew and Commander Oliver H. Perry, Jr. commanding the Gold Crew.

USS <i>Abraham Lincoln</i> (SSBN-602) George Washington class fleet ballistic missile submarine

USS Abraham Lincoln (SSBN-602), a George Washington-class fleet ballistic missile submarine, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for Abraham Lincoln (1809–1865), the 16th President of the United States (1861–1865).

USS <i>John Marshall</i> Submarine of the United States

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USS <i>Simon Bolivar</i> (SSBN-641) Submarine of the United States

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USS <i>George Washington Carver</i> (SSBN-656) Submarine of the United States

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USS <i>Georgia</i> (SSGN-729) Ohio-class submarine

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USS <i>Florida</i> (SSGN-728) Submarine of the United States

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USS <i>Nebraska</i> (SSBN-739) Submarine of the United States

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USS <i>Maryland</i> (SSBN-738) Submarine of the United States

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USS <i>Alaska</i> (SSBN-732) Submarine of the United States

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USS <i>Stonewall Jackson</i> (SSBN-634) Submarine of the United States

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay</span>

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References

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  2. 1 2 3 Frost, Peter. "Newport News contract awarded". Daily Press . Archived from the original on 27 April 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  3. "US study of reactor and fuel types to enable naval reactors to shift from HEU fuel". Fissile Materials. 10 April 2020. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  4. "Validation of the Use of Low Enriched Uranium as a Replacement for Highly Enriched Uranium in US Submarine Reactors" (PDF). DSpace@MIT. 30 June 2015. Retrieved 25 October 2021.
  5. 1 2 "Submarine Frequently Asked Questions". Chief of Naval Operations Submarine Warfare Division. Archived from the original on 13 July 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  6. "About USS Alabama | USS Alabama | SSBN 731 | Submarine Squadron 17 | COMSUBPAC". csp.navy.mil. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  7. 1 2 "Histories/Command Operations Reports submitted by Alabama (SSBN 731)". Naval Historical Center. Retrieved 5 August 2010.
  8. Ryan, Tim. "Navy wasn't privy to 'Tide'" Reading Eagle (12 May 1995).