USS Alabama (SSBN-731)

USS "Alabama" (SSBN-731) is the sixth "Ohio"-class nuclear-powered fleet ballistic missile submarine, and the sixth 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 Louis 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. "Alabama" conducted another test missile firing in August 1989, launching four TRIDENT I (C-4) missiles.

After completing 47 strategic deterrent patrols, "Alabama" underwent a 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

The "Alabama" is the setting for the 1995 film "Crimson Tide", starring Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington. The "Alabama" also figures in the movie "Time under Fire".

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/a4/alabama-iv.htm USS "Alabama" on history.navy.mil]
* [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/SSBN731.htm USS "Alabama" on nvr.navy.mil]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08731.htm USS "Alabama" on navsource.org]
* [http://navysite.de/ssbn/ssbn731.htm USS "Alabama" on navysite.de]