USS Albuquerque Wraps Up Its Final Deployment

The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) returned to its homeport Aug. 21 following its final regularly-scheduled deployment.

Albuquerque, under the command of Cmdr. Trent Hesslink, returned from the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility where the crew executed the Chief of Naval Operations’ Maritime Strategy in supporting national security interests and maritime security operations.

Albuquerque left its homeport of San Diego on Feb. 6 and steamed more than 50,000 nautical miles during the deployment. Port visits were conducted in Stirling, Australia; Duqm, Oman; and Diego Garcia.

In its more than 32-year career, Albuquerque deployed more than 15 times, steamed more than 500,000 miles, and visited nearly 20 countries. Albuquerque was also one of the first nuclear submarines to experience combat, gaining the moniker of “Sure Shooter of the Submarine Force.”

Albuquerque is scheduled to transit to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, in Bremerton, Washington, later this year for its inactivation and decommissioning.

Albuquerque was commissioned May 21, 1983. Measuring more than 360 feet long and displacing more than 6,900 tons, Albuquerque has a crew of approximately 140 Sailors. Albuquerque is capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

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Image: US Navy