USS Alabama (SSBN-731)
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| Missing image USS_Alabama_(SSBN-731).jpg USS Alabama (SSBN-731) | |
| Career | 
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|---|---|
| Awarded: | 27 February 1978 |
| Laid down: | 14 October 1980 |
| Launched: | 19 May 1984 |
| Commissioned: | 25 May 1985 |
| Status: | Template:Active in service |
| Homeport: | Bangor, Washington |
| General Characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 16,764 tons surfaced, 18,750 tons submerged |
| Length: | 560 ft (171 m) |
| Beam: | 42 ft (12.8 m) |
| Draft: | 35.5 ft (10.8 m) |
| Powerplant: | |
| Speed: | 20+ knots (37+ km/h) |
| Complement: | two crews of 13 officers and 140 men each |
| Armament: | 24 Trident missiles |
| Motto: | Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere ("We dare defend our rights") |
USS Alabama (SSBN-731) is the sixth Ohio-class nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarine, and the fifth United States ship to be named after the state of Alabama. The ship's motto mimics the state's motto, Audemus Jura Nostra Defendere (We dare defend our rights).
Alabama was laid down on 14 October 1980 at Groton, Connecticut, by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics and was launched on 19 May 1984; sponsored by Mrs. Barbara E. Dickinson, wife of William L. Dickinson, Representative from Alabama; and commissioned at New London, on 25 May 1985.
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, after which it returned to Bangor, Washington. Alabama operated out of Bangor until mid-May when the submarine embarked upon its first deterrent patrol. Operating from the Pacific Northwest, Alabama carried out four deterrent patrols during the last seven months of 1986.
In May 1988, Alabama conducted a successful test missile firing, launching two TRIDENT I (C-4) missiles. On 1 September 1988, Alabama moored at Bangor, Washington, to complete the ship's 9th patrol and the 100th Strategic Deterrent Patrol by a TRIDENT submarine. An official ceremony commemorating the event was held pierside with then-Under Secretary of the Navy, H. Lawrence Garrett III, heading the official greeting party.
After completing 47 strategic deterrent patrols, Alabama underwent an refitting in 1999 and returned to service with numerous tactical and survivability upgrades. In the spring of 2000, Alabama celebrated its 50th Strategic Deterrent Patrol and its 15th birthday.
Alabama is currently part of Submarine Group 9 and is homeported at Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, Washington.
Alabama in fiction
- In the movie Crimson Tide, the Alabama receives the order to launch its nuclear missiles, prompting a rebellion on the sub. The orders were later rescinded.
References
This article includes information collected from the Naval Vessel Register, the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships and the USS Alabama Web site (http://www.alabama.navy.mil).
External links
- USS Alabama official website (http://www.alabama.navy.mil/html/history.htm)
- nvr.navy.mil: USS Alabama (http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/SSBN731.htm)
- history.navy.mil: USS Alabama (http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/a4/alabama-iv.htm)
- navsource.org: USS Alabama (http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08731.htm)
- navysite.de: USS Alabama (http://navysite.de/ssbn/ssbn731.htm)
| Ohio-class submarine |
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SSGN 726 Class: |
| List of submarines of the United States Navy List of submarine classes of the United States Navy |