USS Alaska (SSBN-732)

For USS Alaskan, see USS Alaskan (ID-4542).
For other ships of the same name, see USS Alaska.
USS Alaska (SSBN-732)
USS Alaska (SSBN-732)
History
United States
Namesake: The U.S. state of Alaska
Ordered: 27 February 1978
Builder: General Dynamics Electric Boat
Laid down: 9 March 1983
Launched: 12 January 1985
Sponsored by: Mrs. Catherine Stevens
Commissioned: 25 January 1986
Homeport: Kings Bay, Georgia
Motto: Alert, Confident, Able
Status: in active service, as of 2016
Badge:
General characteristics
Class & type: Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine
Displacement:
  • 16,764 metric tons (16,499 long tons) surfaced[1][2]
  • 18,750 metric tons (18,450 long tons) 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:

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 U.S. Navy ship to be named for the Territory or State of Alaska. Also Known as The Last Frontier.

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, 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.

Service history

Alaska's original home port was Bangor, Washington.

In April 2009, Alaska moved her home port to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia.[4]

The Alaska was awarded the 2011, 2012, and 2014 Navy Battle Efficiency "E" ("Battle E") award for being the most valuable asset in her squadron. She also received the 2011, 2012 and 2014 Commander, United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Omaha Trophy. The Omaha Trophy reflects the ability of an SSBN to execute its primary mission, emphasizing strategic deterrence and its evolving role in global operations.

Additionally, she was awarded the 2014 Battenberg Cup, an award given to the best ship or submarine in the Atlantic fleet. She is the first submarine in history to win the award.[5][6][7][8]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Ohio-class SSGN-726". Federation of American Scientists. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  2. 1 2 3 Frost, Peter. "Newport News contract awarded". Daily Press. Retrieved 2011-09-27. (subscription required (help)).
  3. 1 2 "Submarine Frequently Asked Questions". Chief of Naval Operations Submarine Warfare Division. Retrieved 2011-09-27.
  4. ↑ "USS Alaska Returns to the Fleet, Changes Homeport". US Navy. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  5. ↑ "SUBLANT Announces Battle 'E' Winners". US Navy. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  6. ↑ "SUBLANT Announces 2012 Battle 'E' Winners". US Navy. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  7. ↑ "Omaha Trophy winners announced". U.S. Strategic Command. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  8. ↑ "USSTRATCOM Announces Omaha Trophy Winners". U.S. Strategic Command. Retrieved 5 April 2013.

References


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