USS Alabama (SSBN-731)

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

USS Alabama (SSBN-731)

USS Alabama (SSBN-731) USS Alabama (SSBN-731)
History
United States
Namesake:	The U.S. state of Alabama
Ordered:	27 February 1978
Builder:	General Dynamics Electric Boat, Groton, Connecticut
Laid down:	14 October 1980
Launched:	19 May 1984
Sponsored by:	Mrs. Barbara E. Dickinson
Commissioned:	25 May 1985
Homeport:	Bangor, Washington
Motto:	Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere ("We dare defend our rights")
Status:	in active service, as of 2024
Badge:	150px
General characteristics
Class & type:	Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine
Displacement:	16,764 metric tons (16,499 long tons) surfaced 18,750 metric tons (18,450 long tons) submerged
Length:	560 ft (170 m)
Beam:	42 ft (13 m)
Draft:	38 ft (12 m)
Propulsion:	1 × S8G PWR nuclear reactor 2 × geared turbines 1 × 325 hp (242 kW) auxiliary motor 1 × shaft @ 60,000 shp (45,000 kW)
Speed:	Greater than 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Test depth:	Greater than 800 feet (240 m)
Complement:	15 officers 140 enlisted
Armament:	MK-48 torpedoes 24 × Trident II D-5 ballistic missiles

USS Alabama (SSBN-731) is the sixth Ohio-class nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarine, and the seventh United States ship to be named for the state of Alabama. The ship's motto duplicates the state's motto, Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere ("We dare to defend our rights").

Construction and commissioning

The contract for Alabama's construction was awarded on 27 February 1978 and her keel was laid down on 14 October 1980 at Groton, Connecticut, by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics. She was launched on 19 May 1984, sponsored by Mrs. Barbara E. Dickinson, wife of William Louis Dickinson, Representative from Alabama, and commissioned at Naval Submarine Base New London at New London, Connecticut, on 25 May 1985.

Operational history

After commissioning, Alabama departed Connecticut to conduct her shakedown cruise off the coast of Florida. After several domestic maneuvers and crew changes, Alabama visited Mobile, Alabama, before heading for the Panama Canal and from there to Bangor, Washington. Alabama operated out of Bangor until mid-May 1986, when she embarked on her first strategic deterrent patrol. Operating from the Pacific Northwest, Alabama carried out four deterrent patrols between June and December 1986.

In May 1988, Alabama conducted a successful test ballistic missile firing, launching two Trident I C4 ballistic missiles. On 1 September 1988, Alabama moored at Bangor to complete her ninth deterrent patrol and the 100th strategic deterrent patrol by a Trident-armed submarine. An official ceremony commemorating the event was held pier-side with then-Undersecretary of the Navy H. Lawrence Garrett III heading the official greeting party. Alabama conducted another test ballistic missile firing in August 1989, launching four Trident I C4 ballistic missiles.

In the 1990s Alabama conducted routine refit operations out of Bangor Washington, post-refit sea trials operations in Dabob Bay, and patrol operations in the Pacific Ocean. Ports-of-call included Seattle, Washington; San Diego and Long Beach, California; and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

In February 1991, Alabama was selected as the change of command platform for the Commander-in-Chief Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLT) in Pearl Harbor. August 1992, Alabama embarked Commander-in-Chief, United States Strategic Command (CINCSTRATCOM) and his entourage of senior U.S. Air Force and Navy Officers for an at-sea submerged orientation tour concerning SSBN strategic deterrent operations. In January 1996, the ship was awarded the Battle Efficiency E and the Strategic Operations S by the Commander of Submarine Squadron 17. In March, she was awarded the U.S. Strategic Command's Omaha Trophy for ballistic missile unit excellence. In March 1999, Alabama conducted exercises with the USS Constellation (CV-64) battle group and USS Topeka (SSN-754). In September, she conducted underway operations for the Defense Advisory Counsel on Women in the Services.

After completing 47 strategic deterrent patrols, Alabama underwent a refit in 1999 and returned to service with numerous tactical and survivability upgrades. In the spring 2000, Alabama completed her 50th strategic deterrent patrol and celebrated her 15th birthday. February 2000, conducted exercises with the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) battle group. In April, she conducted a VIP cruise in Dabob Bay, Washington to host the Chief of Defense of Japan and members of his staff. In August, she again conducted exercises with the USS Abraham Lincoln battle group.

Alabama entered the Bremerton Annex of Naval Base Kitsap at Bangor in 2005 to undergo a nuclear reactor refueling overhaul and conversion of her ballistic missile systems to support the Trident II D5 ballistic missiles, which replaced her Trident I C4 ballistic missiles and launchers; Alabama was the last Trident C4-equipped submarine to be refitted with the Trident D5 missile system. The refueling overhaul and Trident D5 conversion was completed in February 2009.

As of April 2014, Alabama is part of Submarine Group 9 and her home port is at Naval Submarine Base, Bangor, Washington.

In popular culture

• Alabama is the setting for the 1995 film Crimson Tide, starring Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman.
• Alabama is featured in the 1997 film, Time Under Fire

References

• This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, which, as a U.S. government publication, is in the public domain. The entry can be found here.
• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
• Photo gallery of Alabama at NavSource Naval History