Yesterday in San Pedro, the USS Los Angeles (SSN-688) was retired after 33 years of service. The Los Angeles was the first of her kind of a new generation of nuclear attack submarines; indeed, she was the first submarine of what would come to be known as the Los Angeles Class fast attack submarine. Some 62 LA-class submarines were built, but the Los Angeles was the “first and the finest” (ship’s motto).
I’ve always been fascinated by submarines. I credit that fascination to Tom Clancy, who’s Hunt for Red October, Red Storm Rising and other “techno-thriller” books of the mid and late 1980s provided for some exciting reading to 10-15 year old boys like me. And in virtually every one of Clancy’s books, a Los Angeles class attack sub played a central role. In Hunt, the USS Dallas pursued Red October, the powerful Soviet Typhoon class missile submarine. Clancy spared no nerdy technological detail about the Dallas, it made for some great reading!
It’s important to note that going back to World War 2, Navy tradition has been to name attack submarines after sea creatures. But thanks to pressure for LA City leaders in the 1970s, the Navy broke with that tradition and named the entire class after Los Angeles.
The LA Times has more. Thanks for the service SSN-688!
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Great post Jeff!
I had no clue this submarine was being retired. Now I really feel old that it was ‘state of the art’ four years after I graduated high school in 1972. Naval ships, including submarines, but especially aircraft carriers fascinate me. My dad served on the USS Independance during WWII. He is now 92 and suffering from dementia, but the best way for me to get him talking is to talk about his time in the Navy.
Next time anyone is in San Diego go to the USS Midway museum. Give yourself at least four hours. You won’t be disappointed.
USS Midway Cont:
Make sure you go to the ‘Admirals Quarters’ off the flight deck. You will see the actual ‘war room’ where the beginning of the Gulf War air operations was conducted. It’s great to stand in the area of such recent history.
Jim-
That’s neat about your dad.
My grandfather served on the battleship Missouri and was on the ship when the Japanese surrendered in Tokyo harbor. Wish I could have talked to him about it more.
I was aboard ship ship the day that the USS Los Angeles pulled into Long Beach and tied up next to us. I still have the photos.
Jeff:
What a neat bit of history that your family was involved in. I assume your Grandad saw McArthur and Hirohito sign the unconditonal surrender. My dads ship was in the harbor at the same time (At least he says it was
).