USS Louisiana (SSBN-743) Heading Back To Sea

After 818 days in drydock at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA, the USS Louisiana (SSBN-743), the last of the Ohio-class nuclear submarines to be refueled, has finally left drydock and is ready for sea duties again.

The 560-foot-long boat went into drydock for routine refueling, refurbishment, and repairs on September 11, 2019. The drydocking for refueling, etc. took longer than usual. According to the Commanding Officer of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Capt. Jip Mosman, “Despite many challenges, COVID-19, unexpected new work items, competing shipyard priorities, the Louisiana team kept a positive attitude in support of this undocking.”

Photo: Flickr/Official U.S. Navy Page

The 560-foot-long Louisiana underwent the complex realities that go along with the refueling of a nuclear submarine’s nuclear reactor power source, along with several other tests and repairs of various of her components.

Some of the details that were added to the boat were new, such as the expansion of berthing areas to make it possible now for enlisted women sailors to serve aboard her. The Submarine Service was one of the last military units to allow women to serve. That changed in 2011 when the first women officers were allowed to serve aboard submarines. These new enlisted women sailors will join their male counterparts in serving aboard some of the most complex, sophisticated, high-tech and powerful machines and weapons systems ever designed.

Photo: Flickr/Official U.S. Navy Page

Other refurbishments and repairs included an overhaul of the Louisiana’s diesel generator. Its shaft was replaced, and several of its tanks were inspected and repaired. She has a new streamlined tactical system now with an upgraded control station. Her radio room has also been upgraded. Her hydraulic, plumbing, air, and seawater systems were also repaired. Throughout the over two years of time in drydock, the sailors of the USS Louisiana played an integral part in all of the efforts.

Photo: YouTube/999KTDY

The USS Louisiana is the last of the Ohio-class submarines to be refueled at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Her life span extended now for another 20 years, she is ready again to take up her important service, along with 13 other submarines, in her duties as a “strategic deterrence” against potential nuclear threats from adversaries around the world. Like her thirteen sister boats, she is armed with 20 nuclear missiles at the ready to be a deterrent to any threats or as a first response to any attacks by aggressors against the United States.

Photo: YouTube/999KTDY

The submarine service is not just unique in how and where it does its work, but those who serve aboard them are a special kind of warrior. Not all can do what they do or serve in the conditions that they must serve in for weeks, even months, at a time.

The Veterans Site has a great deal of respect for our nation’s submariners. Their duties are like no other, and we honor their unique kind of courage and dedication to duty. We wish the officers and crew of the USS Louisiana (SSBN-743) Fair Winds!

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