USS Albuquerque Ends 32 Year Long Service

The crew of the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) held an inactivation ceremony Oct. 16, at Naval Base Point Loma, celebrating the boat’s 32-plus years service.

The occasion marked the submarine’s final public event before its scheduled transit later this month to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, to begin inactivation process and eventual decommissioning.

Hundreds of supporters and former crew members attended the ceremony to reunite with old shipmates and bid the submarine farewell.

The ceremony concluded with the lowering of the national ensign and the hauling down of the commissioning pennant along with a symbolic securing of the watch.

Albuquerque recently completed its final deployment before returning to its homeport of Naval Base Point Loma Aug. 21.

The ship is the second United States warship to be named after Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was constructed at Electric Boat Shipyard in Groton, Connecticut, launched March 13, 1982, and commissioned May 21, 1983. Albuquerque is the 19th submarine of its class.

Since its commissioning, Albuquerque deployed 19 times. The submarine 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.”

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