USS Oklahoma City Arrives in Bremerton

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Gwendelyn Ohrazda | The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) is moored in its new homeport of Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton, Washington Nov. 22, 2021. Oklahoma City, the second vessel to be named for the city in Oklahoma, sailed from Agana, Guam and is scheduled to begin the inactivation and decommissioning process at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gwendelyn L. Ohrazda)  

BREMERTON, WA, UNITED STATES

11.22.2021

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Gwendelyn Ohrazda 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

BREMERTON, Wash. -- The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) arrived at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton, Washington, to start the inactivation and decommissioning process, Nov. 22, 2021.

Under the command of Cmdr. Sean Welch, the submarine departed Naval Base Guam for its final homeport change.

“I am very proud of the entire crew,” said Welch. “As you can imagine, things tend to break down a little bit on a 34-year-old ship. Every time that happens, the guys really dive in and keep the ship running. They have all performed well above standards.”

Oklahoma City returned from their final deployment, Aug. 20, 2021, where they were deployed in support of operations vital to national security. Now, Oklahoma City has completed its final transit.

Throughout its lifecycle the submarine supported a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance.

“We know we have a job,” said Welch. “We’re not done yet. We will still be around for about a year here as we go through decommissioning. It’s not like we park the ship and walk away, there is still a lot of work to do.”

During the inactivation process, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility will defuel the submarine, with the hull retained in safe storage until decommissioning. Oklahoma City is among the entire Los Angeles class of more than 60 submarines going to Bremerton, Washington, which is the only location that has the capability to dismantle and recycle them.

The ship’s crew completed multiple qualifications and provided important training to make the personnel aboard Navy submarines effective in their mission.

“I am absolutely proud of them,” said Welch. “I think they did fantastic on the way over. When the ship is decommissioned, the people will still remain and go out to other ships and other shore tours. They need to be confident and they need to know how to do their job well. I think the training and qualifications that we did help give the Oklahoma City a great legacy. When a Sailor from this ship goes somewhere else, I want that ship’s captain to be happy to have someone from the Oklahoma City.”

Commissioned July 9, 1988, Oklahoma City is the second U.S. Navy vessel to be named for Oklahoma City. The boat’s mission is to protect U.S. national interests, accomplished by seeking out and destroying enemy ships and submarines. It also has land-strike capabilities. At 360-feet-long and 6,900 tons, Oklahoma City can be armed with Mk48 advanced-capability torpedoes and tomahawk cruise missiles.

• Date Taken: 11.22.2021
• Date Posted: 11.24.2021 17:02
• Story ID: 410034
• Location: BREMERTON, WA, US