USS Los Angeles (SSN-688)

Last updated

USS Los Angeles;0868802.jpg
History
Flag of the United States.svgUnited States
NameUSS Los Angeles
NamesakeCity of Los Angeles
Awarded8 January 1971 [1]
Builder Newport News Shipbuilding
Laid down8 January 1972 [1]
Launched6 April 1974 [1]
Commissioned13 November 1976 [1]
Decommissioned4 February 2011 [1]
Out of service1 February 2010 [1]
Stricken4 February 2011 [1]
Homeport Pearl Harbor
FateDisposed of by Recycling [1]
Badge SSN-688 insignia.png
General characteristics
Class and type Los Angeles-class submarine
Displacement
  • 5,700 tons light
  • 6,072 tons full
  • 1,372 tons dead
Length110.3 m (361 ft 11 in)
Beam10 m (32 ft 10 in)
Draft9.4 m (30 ft 10 in)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 25 knots (46 km/h) surfaced
  • 30 knots (56 km/h) submerged (actual top speed classified)
Test depth290 m (950 ft)
Complement13 Officers; 121 Enlisted
Armament

USS Los Angeles (SSN-688), lead ship of her class of submarines, was the fourth ship of the United States Navy to be named for Los Angeles, California. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 8 January 1971 and her keel was laid down on 8 January 1972. She was launched on 6 April 1974 sponsored by Anne Armstrong, and commissioned on 13 November 1976. She hosted President Jimmy Carter and the First Lady on 27 May 1977 for an at-sea demonstration of her capabilities. [2] In 2007 she was the oldest submarine in active service with the United States Navy. [3] The Navy decommissioned Los Angeles on 23 January 2010, in the Port of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, her namesake city. [4]

Contents

Deployments

Rosalynn Carter, President Jimmy Carter, and Adm. Hyman G. Rickover (far right) aboard Los Angeles, May 1977 Rosalynn Carter, Jimmy Carter and Admiral Hyman Rickover aboard the submarine USS Los Angeles. - NARA - 174924.jpg
Rosalynn Carter, President Jimmy Carter, and Adm. Hyman G. Rickover (far right) aboard Los Angeles, May 1977

Los Angeles made her first operational deployment to the Mediterranean Sea in 1977 and was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation. In 1978, she transferred to the Pacific Fleet and was assigned to Submarine Squadron 7, homeported in Pearl Harbor. She conducted 17 Pacific deployments over the next 32 years and earned eight Meritorious Unit Citations and a Navy Unit Citation. Los Angeles participated in four multinational "Rim of the Pacific" (RIMPAC) exercises, and visited numerous foreign ports in Italy, Republic of the Philippines, Diego Garcia, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Canada and Singapore. [2]

In 1999, Los Angeles was modified to carry a Dry Deck Shelter (DDS). Her capabilities included undersea warfare, surface warfare, strike warfare, mining operations, special forces delivery, reconnaissance, carrier battle group support and escort, and intelligence collection. [5]

Decommissioning

Los Angeles was inactivated on 1 February 2010 and decommissioned 4 February 2011. The wardroom of the oldest submarine in the fleet carries Richard O'Kane's personal cribbage board, and upon her decommissioning the board was transferred to the next oldest boat at that time, USS Bremerton (SSN-698). [6] [7] Ex-Los Angeles entered the Navy's Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, 1 February 2010, [8] and recycling was completed 30 November 2012. [1]

Related Research Articles

The Ship/Submarine Recycling Program (SRP) is the process that the United States Navy uses to dispose of decommissioned nuclear vessels. SRP takes place only at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) in Bremerton, Washington, but the preparations can begin elsewhere.

USS <i>Dallas</i> (SSN-700) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Dallas (SSN-700) is a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the United States Navy. She was the Navy's second vessel of that name, and the first to be named after the city of Dallas, Texas, although another two ships were scheduled but never completed. On 4 April 2018, after nearly 37 years of commissioned service, the boat was decommissioned at the Controlled Industrial Area of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The defueled vessel will eventually undergo recycling.

USS <i>Providence</i> (SSN-719) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Providence (SSN-719), a Los Angeles-class submarine, is the fifth vessel of the United States Navy to be named for Providence, Rhode Island. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 16 April 1979 and her keel was laid down on 14 October 1982. She was launched on 4 August 1984 sponsored by Mrs. William F. Smith, and commissioned on 27 July 1985.

Richard OKane US Navy admiral and Medal of Honor recipient (1911–1994)

Richard Hetherington O'Kane was a United States Navy submarine commander in World War II, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for commanding USS Tang in the Pacific War against Japan to the most successful record of any United States submarine ever. He also received three Navy Crosses and three Silver Stars, for a total of seven awards of the United States military's three highest decorations for valor in combat. Before commanding Tang, O'Kane served in the highly successful USS Wahoo as executive officer and approach officer under noted Commander Dudley "Mush" Morton. In his ten combat patrols, five in Wahoo and five commanding Tang, O'Kane participated in more successful attacks on Japanese shipping than any other submarine officer during the war.

USS <i>Omaha</i> (SSN-692) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Omaha (SSN-692), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Omaha, Nebraska. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 31 January 1971 and her keel was laid down on 27 January 1973. She was launched on 21 February 1976 sponsored by Mrs. Victoria Kuncl Hruska, wife of Senator Roman L. Hruska, and commissioned on 11 March 1978, with Commander Ted A. Hamilton in command.

USS <i>Baton Rouge</i> Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Baton Rouge (SSN-689) was a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine which served with the United States Navy. With her keel laid down on 18 November 1972, Baton Rouge was launched on 26 April 1975. She became the second Los Angeles-class submarine to be commissioned, on 25 June 1977. In 1995, she was the first of her class to be decommissioned, after a collision with a Russian Sierra-class submarine.

USS <i>Louisville</i> (SSN-724) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Louisville (SSN-724), a Los Angeles-class submarine, is the fourth ship of the United States Navy to be named for Louisville, Kentucky. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, on 11 February 1982 and her keel was laid on 24 September 1984. She was launched on 14 December 1985—sponsored by Mrs. Betty Ann McKee, wife of Admiral Kinnaird McKee, Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion —and commissioned on 8 November 1986 with Captain Charles E. Ellis in command.

USS <i>Parche</i> (SSN-683) Submarine of the United States

USS Parche (SSN-683), a Sturgeon-class submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the parche, a small, coral reef butterfly fish. Parche was launched on 13 January 1973, sponsored by Natalie Beshany, the wife of vice admiral Philip A. Beshany, and commissioned on 17 August 1974.

USS <i>San Juan</i> (SSN-751) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS San Juan (SSN-751), a Los Angeles-class submarine, is the third ship of the United States Navy to be named San Juan, though only the second named for San Juan, Puerto Rico. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 30 November 1982 and her keel was laid down on 9 August 1985. She was launched on 6 December 1986 sponsored by Mrs. Sherrill Hernandez, wife of VADM Diego E. Hernández, and commissioned on 6 August 1988.

USS <i>Salt Lake City</i> (SSN-716) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Salt Lake City (SSN-716), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Salt Lake City, Utah. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 15 September 1977 and her keel was laid down on 26 August 1980. She was launched on 16 October 1982 sponsored by Mrs. Kathleen Garn, and commissioned on 12 May 1984, with Commander Richard Itkin in command.

USS <i>Woodrow Wilson</i> (SSBN-624) Submarine of the United States

USS Woodrow Wilson (SSBN-624), a Lafayette class ballistic missile submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924), the 28th President of the United States (1913–1921). She later was converted into an attack submarine and redesignated SSN-624.

USS <i>Kamehameha</i> (SSBN-642) Submarine of the United States

USS Kamehameha (SSBN-642), a Benjamin Franklin-class ballistic missile submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Kamehameha I, the first King of Hawaii. She is one of only two ships of the United States to be named after a monarch. She was later reclassified as an attack submarine and redesignated SSN-642.

USS <i>Lapon</i> (SSN-661) Submarine of the United States

USS Lapon (SSN-661), a Sturgeon-class attack submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the lapon, a scorpionfish of the Pacific coast of North America.

USS <i>Philadelphia</i> (SSN-690) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Philadelphia (SSN-690), a Los Angeles-class attack submarine, was the sixth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the city of Philadelphia.

USS <i>Birmingham</i> (SSN-695) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Birmingham (SSN-695), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Birmingham, Alabama. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 24 January 1972 and her keel was laid down on 26 April 1975. She was launched on 29 October 1977 sponsored by Mrs. Maryon Pittman Allen, wife of Senator James Allen, and commissioned on 16 December 1978, with Commander Paul L. Callahan in command.

USS <i>Bremerton</i> (SSN-698) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Bremerton (SSN-698), a Los Angeles-class submarine, is the second vessel of the United States Navy to be named for Bremerton, Washington. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 24 January 1972 and her keel was laid down on 8 May 1976. She was launched on 22 July 1978 sponsored by Mrs. Helen Jackson, wife of Henry M. Jackson, and commissioned on 28 March 1981.

USS <i>Buffalo</i> (SSN-715) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Buffalo (SSN-715) was a Los Angeles-class submarine, the second vessel that actively served the United States Navy to be named for Buffalo, New York. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 23 February 1976, and her keel was laid down on 25 January 1980. She was launched on 8 May 1982 sponsored by Mrs. Joanne Kemp, wife of former Buffalo Bills quarterback and New York's 31st congressional district representative Jack Kemp, who was credited with winning approval to name the ship after the city in his district. Buffalo was commissioned on 5 November 1983, with Commander G. Michael Hewitt in command. Buffalo was decommissioned on 30 January 2019 after 35 years of service.

USS <i>Olympia</i> (SSN-717) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Olympia (SSN-717) is a Los Angeles-class submarine of the United States Navy. She is the 30th Los Angeles class nuclear powered fast attack submarine.

USS <i>Honolulu</i> (SSN-718) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Honolulu (SSN-718), was a Los Angeles-class submarine, and the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Honolulu, Hawaii. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 15 September 1977 and her keel was laid down on 10 November 1981. She was launched on 24 September 1983 sponsored by Mrs. Joan B. Clark, and commissioned on 6 July 1985, with Commander Robert M. Mitchell in command.

USS <i>Chicago</i> (SSN-721) Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the US Navy

USS Chicago (SSN-721) is a Los Angeles-class submarine, the fourth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the city of Chicago, Illinois. The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 13 August 1981 and her keel was laid down on 5 January 1983. She was launched on 13 October 1984 sponsored by Mrs. Vicki Ann Paisley, wife of Melvyn R. Paisley assistant Secretary of the Navy, and commissioned on 27 September 1986.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Los Angeles (SSN 688)". Naval Vessel Register . United States Navy. 4 January 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
  2. 1 2 Ronald Gutridge (15 January 2010). "Pearl Harbor Bids Farewell to USS Los Angeles". US Navy. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011.
  3. "USS Los Angeles Embarks With a Piece of Submarine History". US Navy. 16 May 2007.
  4. Tony Perry (24 January 2010). "Submarine Los Angeles is decommissioned from active fleet". Los Angeles Times.
  5. David Brandenburg (21 January 2010). "Navy Days LA Kicks Off With Arrival of USS Los Angeles". US Navy. Archived from the original on 6 June 2011.
  6. Zingaro, Michael B (8 November 2019), The O'Kane Cribbage Board Is Passed Down, DVIDS
  7. "USS Los Angeles Embarks With a Piece of Submarine History". US Navy. 16 May 2007.
  8. Morison, Samuel L. "US Naval Battle Force Changes 1 January 2011 to 31 December 2010" (PDF). Proceedings. US Naval Institute (May 2011).