The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Buffalo (SSN 715) arrived at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton to commence the inactivation and decommissioning process, May 26, after completing 33 years of service.
Buffalo completed their most recent deployment December 23, 2016. During their final 7-month deployment to the Western Pacific region, Buffalo visited Singapore, participated in cooperative exercises with the Indonesian and Republic of Singapore navies, and had 25 crew members receive their submarine warfare qualifications, or “dolphins”.
Under the command of Cmdr. Micah Maxwell, Buffalo departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for a homeport change to Bremerton, Washington, May 1, 2017. Buffalo has been homeported in Hawaii since 1984.
During the inactivation process, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility will de-fuel the submarine, with the hull retained in safe storage until decommissioning.
Buffalo was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Buffalo, New York. The keel was laid by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, Conn., January 25, 1980. The boat was launched May 8, 1982, and commissioned November 5, 1983.