BANGOR, Wash. (NNS) -- Trident ballistic missile submarine USS Alabama (SSBN 731)(Blue) returned to its homeport of Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Wash., after a 45-day strategic deterrent patrol, May 10.
Rear Adm. Bob Hennegan, commander of Submarine Group 9, was among those on hand to welcome home the crew which departed for its patrol March 27.
"I am proud to lead the finest Sailors that our country has to offer," said Cmdr. Christopher Kline, USS Alabama (Blue) commanding officer. "They love their families and our country, and show it by making every minute at sea count through their dedication, hard work and commitment to excellence."
While underway, a total of 12 Blue Crew Sailors – 10 enlisted and two officers – earned the coveted submariner's "dolphins" by completing their submarine qualifications.
"The guys worked hard, and it paid off with the successful completion of our mission," said Master Chief Electronics Technician (SS) Lance Mefford, Blue Crew chief of the boat.
The sixth of 18 Ohio-class SSBNs, Alabama is one of eight ballistic missile submarines homeported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, providing the survivable leg of the nation's strategic deterrent forces.
Showing posts with label USS Alabama SSBN-731. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USS Alabama SSBN-731. Show all posts
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Thursday, May 29, 2008
USS Alabama Returns from Sea Trials
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW/NAC) Eric J. Rowley, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Det. Northwest
The Ohio-class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine USS Alabama (SSBN-731) is being moved "dead-stick" in the sound by a flotilla of tug boats with Mount Rainer in background. U.S. Navy photographed by Mr. Anthony Madina
USS Alabama (SSBN 731) returned to Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor, May 14, after successfully completing their first at-sea period in two-and-a-half years, recertifying the ship during their sea trials.
The eight days at sea tested every aspect of the ship's integrity after their refueling overhaul and a Trident II (D5) missile system conversion from the older Trident I (C4) missile system.
"Everything went great, the crew preformed admirably and we got through the sea trials with no big issues," said Master Chief Missile Technician (SS) John Sutton, Alabama chief of the boat. "When we did have problems, the crew was quick to fix them. We got out there and got sea trials completed and got back in on schedule and on time with no issues, ready to go and fully certified."
This sea trial also marked 1,000 dives for Alabama.
Before their sea trials, the crew worked many long days preparing the ship for their first underway by doing fast cruises, where the crew stays tied to the pier but drills like they are actually at sea.
"Sea trials went great," said Cmdr. Todd Massidda, USS Alabama commanding officer. "We completed all things we needed to do to get the ship recertified to get back to an operational status and officially close out the shipyard period within two days of getting back. This was one of the most efficient sea trials to date. This was also a good sense of accomplishment for the crew, which was also needed."
During the sea trials they recertified the hull at test depth, their weapons systems, propulsion systems and also worked on their crew proficiency and training.
"Everybody was pretty excited. There were a lot of guys who have been here for two-plus years and had only been to sea with another boat," said Ensign Abe Cook, Alabama supply officer. "I think for a lot of people it was exciting to see their work, which could be very painful and time consuming, was turned into the boat going out and having a very successful run. It showed these guys their two years of hard work were not lost."
Alabama will undergo more system upgrades and certifications to be ready for a full patrol in about one year.
"This was an extremely intense evolution, there were hundreds and hundreds of man hours of work that needed to be completed in a short period of time." said Missile Technician 1st Class (SS) Jonathan Vannoy, Alabama missile technician leading petty officer. "Our hard work paid off. Our system performed exactly as it was designed to."
The Ohio-class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine USS Alabama (SSBN-731) is being moved "dead-stick" in the sound by a flotilla of tug boats with Mount Rainer in background. U.S. Navy photographed by Mr. Anthony Madina USS Alabama (SSBN 731) returned to Naval Base Kitsap, Bangor, May 14, after successfully completing their first at-sea period in two-and-a-half years, recertifying the ship during their sea trials.
The eight days at sea tested every aspect of the ship's integrity after their refueling overhaul and a Trident II (D5) missile system conversion from the older Trident I (C4) missile system.
"Everything went great, the crew preformed admirably and we got through the sea trials with no big issues," said Master Chief Missile Technician (SS) John Sutton, Alabama chief of the boat. "When we did have problems, the crew was quick to fix them. We got out there and got sea trials completed and got back in on schedule and on time with no issues, ready to go and fully certified."
This sea trial also marked 1,000 dives for Alabama.
Before their sea trials, the crew worked many long days preparing the ship for their first underway by doing fast cruises, where the crew stays tied to the pier but drills like they are actually at sea.
"Sea trials went great," said Cmdr. Todd Massidda, USS Alabama commanding officer. "We completed all things we needed to do to get the ship recertified to get back to an operational status and officially close out the shipyard period within two days of getting back. This was one of the most efficient sea trials to date. This was also a good sense of accomplishment for the crew, which was also needed."
During the sea trials they recertified the hull at test depth, their weapons systems, propulsion systems and also worked on their crew proficiency and training.
"Everybody was pretty excited. There were a lot of guys who have been here for two-plus years and had only been to sea with another boat," said Ensign Abe Cook, Alabama supply officer. "I think for a lot of people it was exciting to see their work, which could be very painful and time consuming, was turned into the boat going out and having a very successful run. It showed these guys their two years of hard work were not lost."
Alabama will undergo more system upgrades and certifications to be ready for a full patrol in about one year.
"This was an extremely intense evolution, there were hundreds and hundreds of man hours of work that needed to be completed in a short period of time." said Missile Technician 1st Class (SS) Jonathan Vannoy, Alabama missile technician leading petty officer. "Our hard work paid off. Our system performed exactly as it was designed to."
Friday, August 31, 2007
USS Alabama Returns To Water After Dry Dock Period
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW/NAC) Eric J. Rowley, Fleet Public Affairs Center Det. Northwest
The Ohio-class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine USS Alabama (SSBN-731) is being moved "dead-stick" in the sound by a flotilla of tug boats with Mount Rainer in background. (U.S. Navy photographed by Mr. Anthony Madina)
SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) -- USS Alabama (SSBN 731) is officially floating again after its 20-month dry-dock period ended Aug. 21.
The Alabama was officially dry-docked Jan. 18, 2006. Overall maintenance is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2008, which means the Alabama should be ready to start sea trials, finish the recertification process and return to the Navy as an operational unit.
“This is a huge step and a key event,” said Lt. Gary Dunn, Alabama engineering refueling overhaul coordinator (EROC). “We are undocking the ship in progression to complete the avail[ability]. Ahead of us are tests for the reactor plant, habitability and steaming. All these are key events we have to meet before we do fast cruise and sea trails.”
During Alabama’s dry-dock period, it endured 11 hull cuts which had to be welded back together and made water tight.
“We were in very good material condition for this undocking and we have our turtle-back back on,” said Dunn. “A lot of the work has already been done, so we are ahead of schedule. The undocking is going very well.”
Workers had to make sure all the piping systems which were taken apart had their water-tight integrity back before they flooded the dock.
“This is just one of the milestones along the way for the Alabama,” said Cmdr. Todd Massidda, Alabama commanding officer. “It’s a big one, because we got a lot of the work below the water line done. We are transitioning from the shipyard ... getting the ship outfitted and ready to go out to sea again. We have a lot more work to go.”
The crew of Alabama has to put the ship through its paces by testing all the new equipment and then the crew has to get recertified to take the ship back out to sea.
“An important factor which has gotten us to this point are approximately 650 to 700 shipyard workers teaming with about 200 ships force guys,” said Massidda. "That is a testament to the entire project team.”
Sailors of the Alabama are happy about the success of the refueling overhaul.
“It feels good to be back in the water,” said Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class (SS) Alex Winfrey. “I think it’s much better being pier side. For a boat that has been sitting where it’s not meant to be for more than a year, it’s a lot better for it to be floating.”
The Ohio-class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarine USS Alabama (SSBN-731) is being moved "dead-stick" in the sound by a flotilla of tug boats with Mount Rainer in background. (U.S. Navy photographed by Mr. Anthony Madina) SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) -- USS Alabama (SSBN 731) is officially floating again after its 20-month dry-dock period ended Aug. 21.
The Alabama was officially dry-docked Jan. 18, 2006. Overall maintenance is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2008, which means the Alabama should be ready to start sea trials, finish the recertification process and return to the Navy as an operational unit.
“This is a huge step and a key event,” said Lt. Gary Dunn, Alabama engineering refueling overhaul coordinator (EROC). “We are undocking the ship in progression to complete the avail[ability]. Ahead of us are tests for the reactor plant, habitability and steaming. All these are key events we have to meet before we do fast cruise and sea trails.”
During Alabama’s dry-dock period, it endured 11 hull cuts which had to be welded back together and made water tight.
“We were in very good material condition for this undocking and we have our turtle-back back on,” said Dunn. “A lot of the work has already been done, so we are ahead of schedule. The undocking is going very well.”
Workers had to make sure all the piping systems which were taken apart had their water-tight integrity back before they flooded the dock.
“This is just one of the milestones along the way for the Alabama,” said Cmdr. Todd Massidda, Alabama commanding officer. “It’s a big one, because we got a lot of the work below the water line done. We are transitioning from the shipyard ... getting the ship outfitted and ready to go out to sea again. We have a lot more work to go.”
The crew of Alabama has to put the ship through its paces by testing all the new equipment and then the crew has to get recertified to take the ship back out to sea.
“An important factor which has gotten us to this point are approximately 650 to 700 shipyard workers teaming with about 200 ships force guys,” said Massidda. "That is a testament to the entire project team.”
Sailors of the Alabama are happy about the success of the refueling overhaul.
“It feels good to be back in the water,” said Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class (SS) Alex Winfrey. “I think it’s much better being pier side. For a boat that has been sitting where it’s not meant to be for more than a year, it’s a lot better for it to be floating.”
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