USS Alaska (SSBN-732)

USS Alaska (SSBN-732), is a United States Navy Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine which has been in commission since 1986. She is the fourth US Navy ship to be named for the Territory or State of Alaska.

For other ships with the same name, see USS Alaska.

USS Alaska (SSBN-732)
USS Alaska (SSBN-732)
History
United States
Name: Alaska
Namesake: State of Alaska
Ordered: 27 February 1978
Builder: General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut
Laid down: 9 March 1983
Launched: 12 January 1985
Sponsored by: Mrs. Catherine Stevens
Commissioned: 25 January 1986
Homeport: Kings Bay, Georgia
Identification:
Motto: Alert, Confident, Able
Status: in active service
Badge:
General characteristics
Class and type: Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine
Displacement:
  • 16,764 long tons (17,033 t) surfaced[1][2]
  • 18,750 long tons (19,050 t) submerged[1]
Length: 560 ft (170 m)
Beam: 42 ft (13 m)[1]
Draft: 38 ft (12 m)
Propulsion:
  • 1 × S8G PWR nuclear reactor[1]
  • 2 × geared turbines[1]
  • 1 × 325 hp (242 kW) auxiliary motor
  • 1 × shaft @ 60,000 shp (45,000 kW)[1]
Speed: Greater than 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)[3]
Test depth: Greater than 800 feet (240 m)[3]
Complement:
Armament:
  • MK-48 torpedoes
  • 24 × Trident II D-5 ballistic missiles

Construction and commissioning

The contract to build Alaska was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, on 27 February 1978 and her keel was laid down there on 9 March 1983. She was launched on 12 January 1985, sponsored by Mrs. Catherine Stevens, wife of US Senator Theodore F. Stevens of Alaska; and commissioned on 25 January 1986, with Captain Paul L. Callahan in command of the Blue Crew and Captain Charles J. Chotvacs in command of the Gold Crew.[4]

Service history

Alaska spent much of 1986 engaged in shakedown training for her two crews and in clearing up the many details that attend a new fleet ballistic missile submarine's addition to the Fleet. She operated initially from New London, Connecticut, and Port Canaveral, Florida, but shifted homeport to the Pacific Northwest later in the year, 4 September to 1 October 1986. Alaska sailed through the Panama Canal, and visited San Francisco, California, 21–29 September, while en route. She then served with Submarine Squadron 17, Submarine Group 9, at Naval Submarine Base Bangor, Washington. Alaska sailed on her first missile deterrent patrol, manned by her Blue Crew, in the Pacific, 7 December 1986 to 19 February 1987. Her Gold Crew carried out Patrol 2, 16 March to 28 May 1987.[4]

She completed an engineered overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Washington, 1 May 2000 to 9 December 2001. The work included a Trident II D5 "backfit" that enabled Alaska to fire the improved version of the submarine launched ballistic missile. In addition, the overhaul upgraded her to shoot the Mk 48 Advanced Capability (ADCAP) torpedo. Alaska had carried out 47 Trident I C4 and 12 Trident II D5 deterrent missile patrols when she sailed from Kitsap for the final time on 8 July 2006. The submarine subsequently completed a 27½-month engineered refueling and overhaul at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Virginia, on 8 March 2009. Alaska shifted to Submarine Squadron 20, Submarine Group 10, at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, on 1 May 2009; she arrived at Kings Bay on 1 April. On 28 April 2010, the Navy announced plans to convert living spaces on Alaska to accommodate female crewmembers.[4]

Awards

Alaska was awarded the Navy Battle Efficiency "E" ("Battle E") award for 2004, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, and 2019 as the most efficient unit in her squadron. She also received the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Omaha Trophy for 2005, 2011, 2012, 2014, and 2016. The Omaha Trophy reflects the ability of an SSBN to execute its primary mission, emphasizing strategic deterrence and its evolving role in global operations.[5][6][7][8]

Alaska was recognized with the Meritorious Unit Commendation for meritorious service from Oct. 2011 to Dec. 2013 during which the ship maintained superior weapons, navigation, and communications readiness, providing an invaluable asset for the strategic forces of the United States.

Alaska was recognized with the Meritorious Unit Commendation for meritorious service from 2016 to 2018 during which the ship maintained superior weapons, navigation, and communications readiness, providing an invaluable asset for the strategic forces of the United States.

Additionally, she was awarded the 2014 Battenberg Cup as the best ship or submarine in the Atlantic fleet. She is the first ballistic missile submarine in history to win the award.[9]

Notes
    Citations
    1. "Ohio-class SSGN-726". Federation of American Scientists. Retrieved 23 September 2018.
    2. Frost, Peter. "Newport News contract awarded". Daily Press. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
    3. "Submarine Frequently Asked Questions". Chief of Naval Operations Submarine Warfare Division. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
    4. Cressman & Evans 2015.
    5. "SUBLANT Announces Battle 'E' Winners". US Navy. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
    6. "SUBLANT Announces 2012 Battle 'E' Winners". US Navy. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
    7. "Omaha Trophy winners announced". U.S. Strategic Command. Archived from the original on 6 May 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
    8. "USSTRATCOM Announces Omaha Trophy Winners". U.S. Strategic Command. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
    9. Alaska's Battenberg Cup first for SSBN, The Periscope, Kings Bay Georgia. Retrieved Feb 2017.

    Bibliography

    Online resources

    • Cressman, Robert J.; Evans, Mark L. (11 June 2015). "Alaska IV (SSBN-732)". Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 4 November 2016.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link) This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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