The US Navy has decommissioned the Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine (SSN) USS San Juan in a ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap, Washington.
The SSN named after the capital of the US territory of Puerto Rico served with the US Navy for 38 years, having been commissioned on August 6, 1988. Her decommissioning ceremony took place on Thursday, August 6, the anniversary of her commissioning.
The boat's hull will be scrapped whereas all usable components including weapons and other key equipment will be removed. The nuclear reactor and related components will meanwhile be sealed and transported to a nuclear waste disposal site in eastern Washington.
There are now 18 Los Angeles-class SSNs, out of an original total of 62, in active service with the US Navy while another six boats in the class will soon be decommissioned.
The Los Angeles-class SSNs have served as the backbone of the US submarine force for the last 40 years. The boats were designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; project power ashore with Tomahawk land attack missiles and special operations forces; carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions; support carrier strike group operations; and engage in mine warfare.