USS Philadelphia Sails for Final Time into Retirement
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS100709-21
7/9/2010
From Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs
GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- Los Angeles class attack submarine USS Philadelphia (SSN 690) left her homeport at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., for a final time July 9 to complete the process of being retired from the U.S. Navy fleet.
Philadelphia heads to Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va., next where she will be dismantled. Once Philadelphia's power plant is emptied of fuel, the submarine is officially decommissioned and remaining crew members are released for other assignments.
A decommissioning ceremony was held aboard the submarine in Groton June 25, the 33rd anniversary of its commissioning.
The sixth ship to bear the name, Philadelphia completed her final deployment Feb. 3, after a mission to the U.S. European and U.S. Central Command Areas of Responsibility.
Philadelphia's final commanding officer is Cmdr. Dave Soldow, who relieved Cmdr. John Spencer in a change of command ceremony April 23.
The contract to build Philadelphia, the third submarine in the Los Angeles class, was awarded Jan. 8, 1971, and her keel was laid Aug. 12, 1972. She was later commissioned June 25, 1977, with Cmdr. Robert B. Osborne in command.
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