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USS
Los Angeles (SSN 688):
The fourth Los Angeles (SSN-688) was laid down on 8 January 1972 at
General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Ct.; launched on 6 April
1974; sponsored by Mrs. Anne L. Armstrong, Counselor to the
President and United States Ambassador to Great Britain; and
commissioned on 13 November 1976 at Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry
Dock Co., Newport News, Va., Cmdr. John E. Christensen Jr., in
command.
Following her commissioning, Los Angeles entered service with
Submarine Squadron 6 on 13 November 1976, and then sailed to New
London, Conn., to certify to employ Mk 48 torpedoes (19 November - 9
December 1976). En route to New London, she completed navigation
equipment certification. Upon completing the torpedo training, Los
Angeles sailed to Norfolk, Va., and accomplished her first
Operational Reactors Safeguards Examination (ORSE) (13-15 December).
January 1977 saw a busy beginning to the year. Following a visit by
Secretary of the Navy J. William Middendorf III, on 6 January, Los
Angeles visited Port Everglades, Fla. (16-24 January), and completed
Combat Systems Certification Tests (CSCT) and Mk 48 Torpedo
Certification at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center
(AUTEC) (24-31 January).
After a brief visit to Cape Canaveral, Fla. (31 January - 6
February), Los Angeles completed Sound Trials at Exuma Sound,
Bahamas (6-18 February and 20-28 February). She participated in
antisubmarine exercise SubASWEx 1-77 (1-10 March), and entered
Norfolk Naval Shipyard for a restricted availability. Los Angeles
then sailed to St. Croix, Virgin Islands, for standardization
trials. Los Angeles began pre-deployment training (PDT) in May, and
hosted a visit by William J. Perry, Assistant Secretary of Defense
for Research and Engineering, and Under Secretary of the Navy Robert
J. Woolsey.
President James E. “Jimmy” Carter Jr., and First Lady E. Rosalynn
Carter, embarked on board Los Angeles for a day, on 27 May 1977.
Vice Adm. Hyman G. Rickover, Assistant Chief of the Bureau of Ships
for Nuclear Propulsion, invited the chief executive and his wife for
the sail, and Vice Adm. Joseph Williams, Jr., Commander Submarine
Force, Atlantic, also embarked. President and Mrs. Carter
interrupted their Memorial Day weekend retreat at St. Simons Island,
Ga., and they flew on board Air Force One from Brunswick, Ga., to
Cape Canaveral, and then boarded the boat. A reporter asked
President Carter, a submarine veteran, if he ever suffered from
claustrophobia, and the chief executive quipped: “Only when you news
people are around.” He continued to display his sense of humor when
another person asked him if he would take the helm of the submarine.
“Oh, I think so,” he replied. “They’ve got some automatic devices to
prevent serious errors.”
A reporter further described the chief executive, who donned a beige
windbreaker in place of his grey suit coat, as “in a buoyant mood”
while he enjoyed the light air and sunny sky. The President and
First Lady stood atop Los Angeles’ high sail while two tugs eased
her from the pier at 0915. The Navy banned representatives of the
media from embarking for security reasons, but a contingent of
reporters and photographers chartered a civilian hovercraft and
followed Los Angeles until she dove at 1155. The Navy did rent space
on board a helicopter for 12 journalists to record the voyage from
the air.
Rickover briefed the visitors on the status of the Navy’s nuclear
submarine program while they relaxed in the wardroom. President
Carter operated the fair weather planes at one point, and the First
Lady briefly took over the stern planes. Los Angeles kept in touch
with destroyer Arthur W. Radford (DD-968) via an elaborate
communications system, including the Moscow-Washington “Hot Line,”
in order to ensure an uninterrupted executive chain of command.
Arthur W. Radford also conducted air, surface, and sub-surface
surveillance of the surrounding waters. The destroyer rendezvoused
with the submarine prior to her initial dive, and then again when
the boat surfaced. Los Angeles sailed about 45 miles into the
Atlantic before she came about and returned her passengers to land,
shortly before 1800. The chief executive stepped ashore wearing a
black baseball cap with gold braid on the bill and the inscription
“Commander in Chief Jimmy Carter.”
President Carter personally wrote Cmdr. Christensen and thanked him
for the “cruise on what is very likely the finest ship in the world.
I was proud of your performance, which strengthened my confidence in
the Submarine Force.”
Los Angeles made her first deployment during a voyage from Norfolk
to the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean (8 June - 2 September 1977).
She participated in several multinational exercises including
SubASWEx 2-77 and National Week XXII. The attack boat also visited
Rota, Spain (16-18 June), La Maddalena, Italy (19-21 June, 24 July -
13 August, and 24-25 August), and Naples, Italy (20-22 July). Los
Angeles completed a Post Shakedown Availability (PSA) at her
building yard (12 September - 31 December 1977). Cmdr. Ralph E.
Beedle relieved Cmdr. Christensen as the commanding officer on 21
October 1977.
The submarine concluded the PSA, Phases I and II of crew
certification, a Post Overhaul Reactor Safeguards Exam, and sea
trials (1 January - 23 March 1978). Following a brief period in
Norfolk, Los Angeles visited Annapolis, Md. (7-8 April), and then
carried out PSA Acoustic Trials in Exuma Sound (13-20 April).
Los Angeles sailed from Norfolk to change her home port to Pearl
Harbor, Hi. (18 May - 17 June 1978, effective on 17 June). She
transited the Panama Canal on 23 May, visited San Diego, Calif., on
30 May, and then embarked Mayor Thomas J. Bradley of Los Angeles,
prior to visiting Long Beach, Calif. (1-5 June). Los Angeles reached
Pearl Harbor on 17 June, and shifted to Submarine Squadron 7. She
spent the remainder of the year involved in several exercises
including: PacSubASWEx 1-78 (12-28 July) and PacSubASWEx 2-78 (29
August and 18-31 October); Mk 48 torpedo proficiency training (15-18
August); MidPac operations (3-15 November), and services for attack
submarine Sargo (SSN-583) (27 November - 4 December).
The boat alternated in port and at sea periods as she prepared for
her upcoming deployment. Los Angeles completed an ORSE (3-5 January
1979), and accomplished multiple installations and upgrades to her
weapons systems. She deployed to the Western Pacific (5 March - 2
August 1979). The submarine participated in several operations
including: TransitEx 3-79 (5-12 March); EncounterEx with the ships
of Destroyer Squadron (DesRon) 33 (30 March-1 April); MultiplEx 4-79
(8-10 June); MultiplEx 5-79 (15-17 June); and a Seventh Fleet
antisubmarine exercise (2-5 July).
On 11 April, Los Angeles received orders to reinforce the Midway
(CV-41) Battle Group during a voyage to the Indian Ocean. During her
deployment, Los Angeles visited Guam (16-27 March and 8-24 July);
Subic Bay, Philippines (4-10 April, 11-13 June, and 27-28 June);
Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) (21-27 April);
Port Louis, Mauritius (10-13 May); and Hong Kong (20-24 June).
During the submarine’s post deployment period, she carried out Mk 48
torpedo proficiency firings (29 October - 3 November).
While Los Angeles accomplished post-availability sea trials, she
received notification that she would make an unscheduled deployment
to the Western Pacific under the “Ready SSN” concept. She
consequently sailed on a high speed transit across the Pacific and
conducted independent submarine operations (11 January - 25 April
1980). Los Angeles visited Perth, Australia (1-6 April). She came
about for Guam to complete ORSE, and then made for Pearl Harbor.
Following her post deployment stand down, Los Angeles participated
in TransitEx 3-80 (20-23 May), and then completed a Selected
Restricted Availability (SRA) at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard (7 June
- 16 November). The attack boat carried out post-SRA sea trials
(17-22 November); Mk 48 torpedo proficiency firings (28 November - 5
December 1980); and an ORSE (12-13 February 1981). Cmdr. John F.
Shipway relieved Cmdr. Beedle as the commanding officer on 18
February 1981.
Los Angeles deployed to the Western Pacific (25 April-24 October
1981). In addition to independent operations, she took part in
antisurface warfare exercise ASUWEx 81-3 (31 July - 8 August), and
visited: Diego Garcia (27-28 June), where she moored alongside
destroyer tender Samuel Gompers (AD-37); Perth (6-12 July, in
company with attack submarine Cincinnati (SSN-693); Subic Bay (22-30
July and 14-18 August); Hong Kong (9-11 August); Agana, Guam (24
August - 9 September); and Yokosuka, Japan (14-15 October).
She visited Esquilmalt, British Columbia (29 March - 1 April 1982).
Los Angeles completed acoustic trials at Santa Cruz Acoustic Range
Facility (2-5 April), prior to visiting San Diego (6-7 April). The
boat then participated in multi-threat exercise Rim of the Pacific
Exercise [RimPac] 82 (8-19 April), before returning to Pearl Harbor.
Los Angeles conducted an SRA at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard (3 May -
30 July).
Los Angeles deployed to the Western Pacific (15 November 1982 - 14
May 1983). She participated in multiple operations including Team
Spirit/Valiant FlEx 83 (27 February - 25 March) and FleetEx 83-1 (3
April - 5 May). The submarine visited several ports including: Diego
Garcia (12 January), where she again moored alongside destroyer
tender Samuel Gompers; Perth (20-25 January); Agana (4-24 February),
where she moored alongside submarine tender Proteus (AS 19); and
Yokosuka (26 March - 2 April).
Following the boat’s post-deployment stand down, she spent the
majority of the summer conducting midshipmen operations and
training. Los Angeles participated in RediflEx 1-84, which included
stops in San Diego (22-28 November) and Alameda, Calif. (6-12
December 1983). She then completed an extensive overhaul at Pearl
Harbor Naval Shipyard (1 January 1984 - 18 October 1985). Cmdr.
David I. Stanley relieved Cmdr. Shipway as the commanding officer on
13 April 1985. Los Angeles completed lengthy post-overhaul sea
trials (19 October - 1 November 1985).
Los Angeles spent the first four months of 1986 conducting local
operations, which included an ORSE (4-6 March). She spent two months
in floating dry dock Competent (AFDM-2) for upkeep (9 May-1 July
1986). Los Angeles then completed a series of evaluations and
exercises including: sound trials at the Southern California
Acoustic Range (18-20 August); PacSecEx (7-10 August); and Mk 48
torpedo certification (6-9 October). In addition, she made stops at
Bangor, Wash. (6 August); San Diego (21-24 August); and Long Beach
(13-17 August).
Los Angeles deployed to the Western Pacific (24 October 1986 - 24
April 1987). She visited several ports including: Subic Bay (11-28
January and 8-14 February); Hong Kong (1-5 February); Agana (21
February - 1 March); and Yokosuka (6-13 April). After Los Angeles
returned to Pearl Harbor, she alternated in port upkeep and at sea
training in the local operating area. She also conducted midshipmen
training operations (25 June - 1 July and 10-13 August), and Mk 48
torpedo certification (20-24 July). The attack submarine took part
in exercises ASWOp 88A/Sharem 72 CanUS in the Eastern Pacific (9-22
November 1987). Cmdr. John K. Eldridge relieved Cmdr. Stanley as the
commanding officer on 11 December 1987.
She spent considerable time underway in the local operating areas in
the New Year (January - February 1988). During this period she also
completed an ORSE. Los Angeles entered Competent for an SRA (1 March
- 10 May 1988). She then completed sea trials (8-16 July) and
acoustic trials (1-3 August), as well as additional training.
Los Angeles deployed to the Western Pacific (30 August 1988 - 22
February 1989). She carried out a variety of operations, and visited
several ports including: Subic Bay (8-17 November and 2-10
December); Singapore (23-27 November); Agana (16 December 1988 - 4
January 1989); Okinawa, Japan (9-11 January); Chinhae, South Korea
(15-18 January); and Yokosuka (30 January - 8 February). Following
her deployment, Los Angeles alternated in port upkeep and at sea
training.
She deployed briefly to the Northern Pacific (20 June - 18 August
1989). Los Angeles then alternated in port upkeep and at sea
training and inspections. Los Angeles again steamed to the Northern
Pacific for two brief operations (18 October - 22 November 1989 and
2 March - 19 April 1990), and concluded her second sub-Arctic voyage
by visiting Long Beach (20-24 April).
Los Angeles participated in RimPac-90 and an ORSE (25 April - 13 May
1990), followed by an SRA at Pearl Harbor (18 July - 21 October).
Cmdr. Michael S. Myers relieved Cmdr. Eldridge as the commanding
officer on 23 May 1990. Los Angeles took part in RimPac-92 (7-23
July 1992), and then carried out an engineering refueling overhaul
at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, Calif. (7 August 1992 - 12
March 1995). She spent most of the overhaul within Dry Dock No. 2.
Cmdr. John S. Boulden, III, relieved Cmdr. Myers as the commanding
officer on 2 March 1993. Los Angeles accomplished sea trials on
several occasions following her overhaul, sometimes in conjunction
with training (24-25 February [an electrical hull fitting suffered a
leak that compelled her to come about for repairs at Alameda], 26
February - 4 March, 31 July - 18 August, and 9-21 November 1995).
She took part in a battle group antisubmarine exercise (28 November
- 11 December 1995) and RimPac ‘96 (13 May - 18 June 1996). Cmdr.
Thomas G. Rubenstein relieved Cmdr. Boulden as the commanding
officer on 19 April. Los Angeles deployed to the Western Pacific (23
January - 28 July 1997).
During an SRA (7 January - 5 June 1998) the attack submarine was
modified for a Drydock Shelter configuration, an array of air,
water, and hydraulic systems that enabled her to employ a Sea, Air,
Land (SEAL) Delivery Vehicle. She was subsequently fitted with the
shelter (27 October - 10 December 1998 and 1-8 January 1999), and
then completed her Drydock Shelter sea trials (15-26 January). Cmdr.
Mark D. Jenkins relieved Cmdr. Rubenstein as the commanding officer
on 11 December 1998.
Los Angeles deployed to the Western Pacific (1 July - 29 December
1999). She visited: Okinawa (17-18 July); Sasebo (2-9 and 12-14
August); Chinhae, South Korea (10-11 August and 1-6 September);
Yokosuka (18-20 September); Perth (24-30 November and 8-11
December); and Hobart, Australia (16-20 December). Los Angeles
trained with Japanese attack submarine Natsushio (SS.584) during
RimPac ‘00 (1-12 June 2000). Cmdr. Christopher B. Thomas relieved
Cmdr. Jenkins as the commanding officer on 31 August 2000.
Los Angeles deployed to the Western Pacific (26 March - 10 August
2001). The attack submarine put in to: Okinawa (30 April - 7 May);
Sasebo (25-29 May); Guam (9-19 June and 27 July - 3 August);
Singapore (1-9 July); and Yokosuka (20-24 July).
She deployed to the Western Pacific (11 February - 11 August 2003).
Los Angeles visited: Yokosuka (27 February - 9 March); Chinhae
(14-17 and 26-28 March); Guam (3-13 April and 30 June - 3 July);
Sasebo (1 June); and Perth (13-20 June). Cmdr. Thomas Stanley
relieved Cmdr. Thomas as the commanding officer on 11 September
2003.
Los Angeles deployed to the Western Pacific (6 November 2004 - 6 May
2005). She then accomplished a pre-inactivation restricted
availability at Groton (1 January - 22 July 2006). Scanning
equipment in Electric Boat’s Groton mail room gave a false positive
reading to a batch of mail, including correspondence en route to Los
Angeles, at about 0915 on 2 February 2006. Testing did not reveal
hazardous substances, and the mail resumed. The submarine carried
out two separate sea trials following her availability.
Seven sailors practiced locking out from Los Angeles during exercise
EscapeEx at the Southeast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility off
Ketchikan, Alaska, on 2 December. The submarine sailed to the area
(30 November - 2 December), and then descended to a depth of 130
feet. The sailors dressed in Mk 10 Submarine Escape Immersion
Equipment, special suits designed to enable a free ascent from a
stricken submarine, entered her escape trunk, and ascended to the
surface. Cmdr. Erik A. Burian assumed command of the boat in July
2006.
Los Angeles celebrated the 30th anniversary of her commissioning on
13 November 2006. The attack submarine visited her namesake city
when she berthed at the Port of Los Angeles at San Pedro, Calif.
(7-12 December). The oldest attack boat in commission traditionally
carries Rear Adm. Richard H. O’Kane’s cribbage board in her
wardroom. O’Kane received the Medal of Honor for his daring attacks
on two Japanese convoys while in command of submarine Tang (SS-306)
during her fifth and final patrol in 1944. The Japanese subsequently
captured O’Kane and held him captive through the end of World War
II. Los Angeles therefore carried O’Kane’s board when she next
deployed to the Western Pacific (8 May - 8 November 2007). The boat
visited Guam (21-23 and 28-29 May, 31 May - 4 June, 18-25 July, 30
July - 4 August, 15-22 August, and 11-16 October); Sasebo (11-25
September); and Yokosuka (24-29 October).
She took part with 20 Navy ships and three submarines, Coast Guard
high endurance cutter Rush (WHEC-723), Coast Guard patrol boat Kiska
(WPB-1336), 13 Australian, Canadian, Chilean, Japanese, Singaporean,
and South Korean ships and submarines, and more than 150 U.S. and
allied aircraft in RimPac-08 (29 June - 31 July 2008).
Los Angeles, operating with Submarine Squadron 1, held a
decommissioning ceremony in her namesake city on 23 January 2010,
and was decommissioned on 4 February 2011. Los Angeles passed
O’Kane’s cribbage board to attack submarine Bremerton (SSN-698). She
subsequently underwent preparation for disposal while at Puget Sound
Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, Wash.
Los Angeles is eligible for listing in the National Register of
Historic Places.
source: US Naval History & Heritage
Command (2015)
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