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USS Salt Lake City Completes Last Transit, Breaks Through Polar Ice

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS051209-04
Release Date: 12/9/2005 7:24:00 AM

By Lt. Cmdr. Michael Savageaux, USS Salt Lake City Public Affairs

NORTH POLE (NNS) -- USS Salt Lake City (SSN 716) concluded a proud 21-year history of service by completing a “first-of-its-kind” mission during the ship’s final underway, surfacing through the polar ice pack in the Arctic Ocean Nov. 17.

This was this first time that a first-flight Los Angeles-class submarine surfaced through the polar pack ice, breaking through more than one foot of ice near the North Pole. “First-flight” means it was in the first series of the Los Angeles-class design.

This surfacing marks the high point of Salt Lake City’s final deployment and inter-fleet transfer to the Atlantic Fleet for decommissioning.

On Oct. 28, the ship departed Naval Base Point Loma in San Diego for the final time. With the exception of a short shipyard period, Salt Lake City spent all of its operational years based in Point Loma, as part of both Submarine Squadron 3 and, most recently, Submarine Squadron 11.

After surfacing through the ice, the crew of Salt Lake City had a few hours to enjoy the unique but harsh conditions on the surface of the Arctic ice. Despite the lack of a sunrise during this time of year in the high-north latitudes, the crew was able to conduct several events that included awarding Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Dana Woodward with his silver dolphins pin. The designation of a Sailor as “qualified in submarines” earns him the right to wear the dolphin insignia and signifies that he has acquired specific skills, knowledge and experience, has demonstrated proficiency in all aspects of the submarine’s operations and is a trusted member of the ship’s crew.

“Getting my Dolphins at the North Pole was a great honor,” said Woodward. “For me, this was a great way to top off seven months of hard work, especially since I will be the only Sailor in Salt Lake City’s history to complete his qualifications while on the ice.”

Salt Lake City Sailors also posed for photo opportunities with one of Santa’s helpers at the North Pole and delivered letters to him from their children. The unique occasion prompted smiles and fond memories for the crew.

“My son wants Power Wheels for Christmas,” said Machinist’s Mate 1st Class Adam Smith. “It will be really cool to tell him that that I delivered the letter to the North Pole myself.”

The USO sent care packages with the crew, so Sailors also opened those while on the Arctic ice. Just prior to submerging, the ship conducted a burial at sea, committing the ashes of former Arctic Submarine Laboratory employee Gene Bloom. Bloom had devoted most of his life to operating in and understanding the challenging Arctic environment.

Following the ship’s return below the ice, it conducted a scientific exercise during the remainder of the polar transit, which gathered ice and oceanographic data for a variety of scientific research projects. During this period, the ship operated at the North Pole and joined the Order of Magellan by circling the globe in less than an hour.

Now that Salt Lake City submariners have completed their Arctic transit, they will be homeported at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for decommissioning.