Albuquerque Decommissioned After 33 Years of Service

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Amanda Gray | KEYPORT, Wash. (Feb. 27, 2017) Cmdr. Donald Tenney, left, commanding officer of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) orders the executive officer, Lt. Cmdr. Ryan Kramer, to secure the watch during the boat’s decommissioning ceremony held at Keyport Undersea Museum. Albuquerque concluded 33 years of service as the second U.S. Navy warship to be named after Albuquerque, New Mexico. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda R. Gray/Released)  

KEYPORT, WA, UNITED STATES

02.27.2017

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Amanda Gray 

Commander, Submarine Group Nine   

The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) was decommissioned after 33 years of service during a ceremony held at Keyport Undersea Museum, Feb. 27.

Rear Adm. John Tammen, commander, Submarine Group 9, the guest speaker for the event, delivered remarks highlighting the boat’s many accomplishments.

“Albuquerque was commissioned on May 21, 1983 at Naval Base New London in Groton, Connecticut,” said Tammen. “She has deployed 21 times to every corner of the globe, accumulating approximately 1.1 million nautical miles steamed, the equivalent of 52 global circumnavigations. She has performed 1075 successful dives in her lifetime, made port calls in over 35 different foreign ports around the world, participated in over 18 major international naval exercises, and seen 14 commanding officers. Having been homeported on both coasts, she is one of the few warships in history to have deployed to every ocean in support of every operational command worldwide. Most importantly however, she has forever earned a place in the hearts of those who have called the Albuquerque ‘home’ the last 34 years. So we are here today to celebrate the Sailors who have made this boat run.”

Albuquerque arrived at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) for inactivation and decommissioning Oct. 28, 2015, following an inactivation ceremony in San Diego, California.

“Today’s crew has made significant sacrifices,” said Cmdr. Donald Tenney, Albuquerque’s final commanding officer. “Decommissioning is not particularly arduous, but it is tedious. They cooperated flawlessly with the PSNS inactivation project team to overcome a multitude of obstacles and avoid any significant work delays. I am incredibly proud of their performance and everything they accomplished both at work and off duty.”

Albuquerque was second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Albuquerque, New Mexico. The keel was laid by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut, December 27, 1979, and launched March 13, 1982. The boat earned three Navy Unit Commendations, four Meritorious Unit Commendations and four Battle Efficiency “E” Awards throughout her service.

“As we decommission the aging Los Angeles-class boats, we make room for newer, more advanced submarines,” said Tammen. “We strive to continue the tradition of undersea dominance, a tradition the Albuquerque has for so long been a part of, by continuing to push the envelope, and equipping our Sailors with the very best technology and equipment. As we close this chapter on the USS Albuquerque, we look forward to the opportunities in the future and the progress it signifies.”

• Date Taken: 02.27.2017
• Date Posted: 02.27.2017 18:16
• Story ID: 225100
• Location: KEYPORT, WA, US