Navy Bids Farewell To Trailblazing USS Los Angeles

By Lt. Ed Early - Commander, Submarine Group 9 Public Affairs

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- Feb. 4 marked the end of an era for the "Silent Service" as USS Los Angeles (SSN 688), the first of the world's largest class of nuclear-powered submarines, underwent her final decommissioning at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility.

Cmdr. Steven Harrison, Los Angeles' last commanding officer, was joined by Capt. Mark Whitney, commander of PSNS and IMF; and Capt. Dan Prince, chief of staff for Submarine Group 9; as the submarine's commissioning pennant was hauled down and the watch secured for the last time, ending Los Angeles' 34 years of service.

"Thirty-four years ago, a crew similar to this one ran aboard Los Angeles, bringing life to this steel body," said Lt. Cmdr. Darrel Lewis, Los Angeles' executive officer and master of ceremonies for the event. "Today, we reluctantly bid her farewell."

Launched in 1974 and commissioned Nov. 13, 1976, Los Angeles was the first of a new class of fast-attack submarines, intended as an eventual replacement for the Navy's Skipjack-, Permit- and Sturgeon-class SSNs. A total of 62 Los Angeles-class submarines were constructed between 1972 and 1996, making the class the largest nuclear-powered submarine class in the world.

In his final remarks as Los Angeles' commander, Harrison recalled the frontline role played by Los Angeles and other submarines of her class during the Cold War.

"The ship served proudly, as well as all the other remaining ships of the class, and contributed to victory in the (Cold) War in ways the general public will never know about," said Harrison.

The fourth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name – the others were a World War I tanker (ID 1470), an airship (ZR 3) and a Cold War-era heavy cruiser (CA 135) – Los Angeles received many honors during her three decades of service, including seven Battle Efficiency Awards, seven Meritorious Unit Commendations and one Navy Unit Commendation. She made 16 deployments, participating in four Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) multinational exercises.

Los Angeles also made history in May 1977 when President Jimmy Carter, the only U.S. president to qualify in submarines, and his wife Rosalynn joined Adm. Hyman Rickover for an at-sea demonstration of the submarine's capabilities.

Los Angeles' farewell process began Jan. 23, when the ship's public decommissioning ceremony took place at the Port of Los Angeles. Placed "in commission, in reserve," Los Angeles transited north to PSNS and IMF to begin the inactivation process.

In taking custody of Los Angeles, Whitney promised that Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility would honor the submarine's history.

"The inactivation and retiring of ships is an important element of our business," said Whitney. "But one of the important elements we don't actually talk about an awful lot when we are executing the work is one of the things we hold very sacred – that is, we will respect the honor and we will preserve the legacy of your ship."

"We are proud to be the final crew of the USS Los Angeles," said Harrison.

The Los Angeles class was followed by the Seawolf- and Virginia-class submarines.

USS Los Angeles Returns from Final Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge, COMSUBPAC Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- USS Los Angeles (SSN 688) returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor from their last Western Pacific deployment Nov. 19.

"This was an extremely successful deployment being that it was Los Angeles's final one," said Cmdr. Steven Harrison, commanding officer. "All of the national level tasking for the operational commander and joint training in support of anti-submarine warfare contributed to a very lucrative mission."

Los Angeles, the fourth naval ship to be named after the city, is the lead ship of her class. Her many capabilities include wartime functions of undersea warfare, surface warfare, strike warfare, mining operations, special forces delivery, reconnaissance, carrier battle group support and escort, and intelligence collection.

Launched on April 6, 1974 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry-dock Company in Newport News, Los Angeles was commissioned on Nov. 13, 1976. She made her first operational deployment to the Mediterranean Sea in 1977 and was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation.

In 1978, Los Angeles transferred to the Pacific Fleet and was assigned to Submarine Squadron 7, homeported in Pearl Harbor. The sub and her crew operated with distinction, conducting five Western Pacific, one Indian Ocean, and four Northern Pacific deployments. These operations earned her three additional Meritorious Unit Citations. Additionally, she was awarded her squadron's annual Battle Efficiency "E" for excellence in combat readiness four times.

In July 1992, Los Angeles departed Pearl Harbor for a change of homeport to Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, Calif. Arriving on August 6, she commenced the first engineered refueling overhaul of a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine. During the overhaul, she was outfitted with the latest state-of-the-art sonar and fire control systems, as well as the Navy's newest reactor controls equipment.

Los Angeles returned to an operational status after the 31 month overhaul in March 1995. She was reassigned to Pearl Harbor and is currently attached to Submarine Squadron 1. Since departing Pearl Harbor on her final deployment in May, Los Angeles conducted numerous operations vital to national security and in support of Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

"It was a great deployment for me and I am very honored to have worked with such an outstanding and highly motivated crew," said Culinary Specialist 1st Class (SS) Robert Dare. This deployment is very special to me knowing that we were not only helping to fight the war on terrorism, but also contributing to the history of the Naval Submarine Force."

"It's a bittersweet ending of a great era," said Harrison. I am extremely proud of each and every crewmember. I could not ask for a better way to complete Los Angeles's final mission."

Los Angeles will depart Pearl Harbor for the final time this winter, en route to Bremerton, Wash., for final inactivation.