USS Augusta Arrives at NORVA

The nuclear-powered attack submarine USS Augusta (SSN 710) arrives at Naval Station Norfolk. Augusta is in Norfolk to continue the inactivation process that began on Feb. 7, 2008 in Groton, Conn. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelvin Edwards

USS Augusta Bids Farewell to Homeport

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) Steven Myers, Commander, Submarine Force Public Affairs

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- The Los Angeles class fast-attack submarine USS Augusta (SSN 710) departed Naval Submarine Base New London for the final time Feb. 12, moving to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va., to commence its inactivation process.

The inactivation process will take approximately 12 months to complete, and includes removal of materials, tools, spare parts and furnishings. Fluids will be drained from hydraulic systems, tanks and piping. The ship will then be towed to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wash., for ship recycling.

"Augusta served admirably for more than two decades," said Capt. Ken Perry, Submarine Development Squadron 12 commodore. "Her technology and mission flexibility greatly contributed to maintaining our nation's undersea supremacy."

For the past 23 years, Augusta has lived up to its crew's motto "Any Mission, Any Time" with multiple deployments around the world, including launching Tomahawk missiles in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and its deployment to the U.S. European Command's area of responsibility in support of the war on terrorism during 2007.

Augusta's crew was also recognized for their excellence by receiving awards in four of the 11 Battle Efficiency categories for 2007 – the Engineering Red "E", Tactical Operations White "T", Supply Blue "E" and the Medical Yellow "M".

During the inactivation ceremony held Feb. 7, Cmdr. Chad Brown, Augusta's commanding officer said that it was a bittersweet moment in his career as this becomes the second time he has said goodbye to a ship and its crew. His first ship, the former USS Baltimore (SSN 704) was decommissioned in 1998.

USS Augusta Inactivated After 23 Years of Protecting the Frontier

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steven Myer, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs



GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- The Los Angeles class fast-attack submarine USS Augusta (SSN 710) conducted an inactivation ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base New London's Shepherd of the Sea chapel Feb. 7.

Augusta lived up to its motto, "protecting the frontier" for more than two decades. Most recently, she returned from a six-month deployment to the U.S. European Command's area of responsibility September 2007, where she completed a wide range of joint requirements supporting national security.

Retired Capt. Thomas Turner, Augusta's first commanding officer, was the guest speaker and relived his experience in bringing the ship to life.

"The feeling as the crew ran aboard at the commissioning was incredible," said Turner. "The crew is what makes the ship a ship. Everything else is just an empty hull."

Cmdr. Chad Brown, Augusta's current commanding officer, expressed his feelings regarding the decommissioning.

"Augusta will not be forgotten," said Brown. "The tradition and spirit of excellence will live on in the Sailors who proudly served aboard her."

Numerous plank owners and Augusta Alumni Association members attended the ceremony. The alumni association plans on forming a nonprofit organization to promote the purchase of Augusta's sail as a memorial for the state of Maine.

"I feel blessed to have been an Augusta crew member," said Malcolm Milligan, alumni association founder. "Our experiences as crew members give us a lot in common and many stories to share and we wish to share those experiences with the residents of Maine."

Augusta is the fifth ship of the fleet to bear the name Augusta, and the first to be named for the capital of the great state of Maine. Others include a 14-gun brigantine commissioned in 1799; a side wheel steamer that participated in the Union forces capture of Port Royal, N.C. in 1861; a motor patrol boat used for maritime patrol of the U.S. coast in World War I; and a heavy cruiser commissioned in 1931 and built specifically as a command ship.

Augusta will transit to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va. later this month to commence its inactivation process.

With stealth, persistence, agility and firepower, fast-attack submarines like Augusta are multi-mission capable – able to deploy and support special force operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary's military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity and ensure undersea superiority.