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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive


Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Columbia (SSN-771)

Radio Call Sign: November - Alpha - Sierra - Alpha

Los Angeles Class (Improved) Attack Submarine: Laid down, 21 April 1993, at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT.; Launched, 24 September 1994; Commissioned, USS Columbia (SSN-771), 9 October 1995. Columbia is assigned to the US Pacific Fleet and is homeported at Pearl Harbor, HI.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 6,000 t., Submerged: 6.927 t.; Length 360'; Beam 33'; Draft 29'; Speed, Surfaced 25 kts, Submerged 30+ kts; Depth limit 950'; Complement 129; Armament, four 21" torpedo tubes aft of bow, Harpoon and Tomahawk ASM/LAM missiles from 12 VLS tubes, MK-48 torpedoes; Combat Systems, AN/BPS-5 surface search radar, AN/BPS-15 A/16 navigation and fire control radar, TB-16D passive towed sonar arrays, TB-23 passive "thin line" towed array, AN/BQG-5D wide aperture flank array, AN/BQQ-5D/E low frequency spherical sonar array, AN/BQS-15 close range active sonar (for ice detection); MIDAS Mine and Ice Detection Avoidance System, SADS-TG active detection sonar, Type 2 attack periscope (port), Type 18 search periscope (starboard), AN/BSY-1 (primary computer); UYK-7; UYK-43; UYK-44, WLR-9 Acoustic Intercept Receiver, ESM; Propulsion System, S6G nuclear reactor one propeller at 35,000 shp. Improved Performance Machinery Program Phase I [on 688 Improved].
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SSN-771287kA view of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Columbia (SSN-771) on the launching way just prior to the ship's christening, 24 September 1994. The Columbia is the last Los Angeles class attack submarine to be built at the E.B. Shipyard.USN photo # DN-ST-87-00980 by Terry Mead, from the Defense Visual Information Center, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
SSN-77199k With a foamy splash, the ship's sponsor, First Lady Hillary R. Clinton, breaks the traditional bottle of champagne across the brow of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Columbia (SSN-771) at the ship's christening ceremony. USN photo # DN-SC-95-00981 by Terry Mead, from the Defense Visual Information Center, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
SSN-771382k With a surge of white water at her stern, the nuclear-powered attack submarine Columbia (SSN-771) slides off the launching way into the Thames River following the vessel's christening and launch ceremony. USN photo # DN-SC-95-00982 by Jerry Sims, from the Defense Visual Information Center, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
SSN-77184kColumbia (SSN-771) enters the water for the first time, 24 September 1994. USN photo from the National War College papers, courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
SSN-771526kA starboard bow view of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Columbia (SSN-771) as the ship glides to a stop in the Thames River at the completion of the vessel's christening and launch ceremony. USN photo # DN-SC-95-00984 by Jerry Sims,from the Defense Visual Information Center, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
SSN-77114k Commemorative postal cover marking the launching of the Columbia (SSN-771) as it slides down the ways at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp., Groton, CT., 24 September 1994. It was the last traditional launch of a U.S. Navy sub. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
SSN-77138kColumbia (SSN-771) , portside view, underway during sea trials off Groton, CT.Courtesy of Electric Boat.
SSN-77114k Commemorative postal cover marking the commissioning of the Columbia (SSN-771), 9 October 1995.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Columbia2.76kThirty seven page Commissioning PDF for the Columbia (SSN-771) on 9 October 1995. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
SSN-771116k Bow view of Columbia (SSN-771) at Groton in 1996. Photo by Lester Palifka, courtesy of Ken Hart.
SSN-77193k Starboard side view of Columbia (SSN-771) at Groton in 1996. Photo by Lester Palifka, courtesy of Ken Hart.
Columbia 1.14kTwelve page Welcome Aboard PDF for the Columbia (SSN-771), circa June 1999. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
SSN-771296kThe crew of the Los Angeles class attack submarine Columbia (SSN-771) moor the submarine to a Pearl Harbor pier, 6 June 2003. Columbia is returning from deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. USN photo # N-3707W-001 by Journalist 2nd Class John Watts, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
SSN-77175k Machinist Mate 3rd Class Ray Garcia talks about the role of submarines with a boy scout while on a tour of the Los Angeles class submarine Columbia (SSN-771) at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, 21 November 2003. The boy's Eagle Scout project culminated in the delivery of 2,400 pocket flags, each of which included personalized inscriptions on small notes and will be distributed to all submariners stationed aboard the 17 submarines homeported in Pearl Harbor. USN photo N-0879R-002 by Chief Journalist David Rush, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
SSN-771262kCmdr. Duane Ashton, commanding officer Columbia (SSN-771) (center) is greeted by Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet's (COMSUBPAC) Command Master Chief Jeffrey Peters (right) and COMSUBPAC's Chief of Staff, Capt. Bruce Smith after returning home from a surge deployment to the Western Pacific on 10 May 2004. Columbia is the first Pacific Fleet submarine to complete a surge deployment.USN photo by Journalist 3rd Class Corwin Colbert, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
SSN-771262k Cmdr. Eugene Sievers (left) and Capt. (Sel.) Duane Ashton participate in the traditional hail and farewell cake cutting ceremony during a change of command ceremony on 5 November 2004. Sievers relieved Ashton earlier that day as commanding officer of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Columbia (SSN-771) at Pearl Harbor Naval Station. USN photo by Journalist 3rd Class Corwin Colbert, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
SSN-771213kMrs. Hawaii 2002, Helen Berger reacts to the friends and family members calling out to their loved ones aboard the Los Angeles class submarine Columbia (SSN-771) as it returned to Pearl Harbor, 17 March 2006. Columbia and her crew returned from a six-month deployment in support of the global war on terrorism. USN photo # N-0879R-005, by Chief Journalist David Rush, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
SSN-771110kThe Los Angeles class submarine Columbia (SSN-771) is nudged into port by the P&R Water Taxi ASD Kaimana Hila as it returned to Pearl Harbor, 17 March 2006.
Hawaii's congressional delegation was honored by the company by having tugboats named after them. U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye opted to have his 94-foot tugboat named the ASD Kaimana Hila.
Photo courtesy of bubbleheads.blogspot.com. Partial text courtesy of starbulletin.com., 19 February 2004.
SSN-771424kSailors aboard the fast attack submarine Columbia (SSN-771) stand ready to cast off mooring lines to get underway at the start of Rim of the Pacific 2006 (RIMPAC) exercises. Eight nations are participating in RIMPAC, the world's largest biennial maritime exercise. Conducted in the waters off Hawaii, RIMPAC brings together military forces from Australia, Canada, Chile, Peru, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States. USN photo # N-0641S-009 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason C. Swink, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
SSN-771331kThe fast attack submarine Columbia (SSN-771) departs Pearl Harbor on July 5, 2006 in support of Rim of the Pacific 2006 (RIMPAC) exercises. USN photo # N-0641S-030 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason C. Swink, courtesy of news.navy.mil.
Chicago502kThe Los Angeles class attack submarines Chicago (SSN-721) and Columbia (SSN-771) prepare to join a multinational formation with other ships that participated in the 2006 Rim of the Pacific exercise. USN photo # N-7981E-448, by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman James R. Evans, courtesy of navy.news.mil.
SSN-771297k Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Gary Roughead speaks with Sailors while visiting the fast-attack submarine Columbia (SSN-771) 18 August 2008. Roughead and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Joe R. Campa Jr. are completing a 10-day, around-the-world trip to visit Sailors, thank them for their contributions and hear their thoughts firsthand. USN photo # N-8273J-221 Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tiffini M. Jones courtesy of navy.news.mil. via Bill Gonyo.
SSN-771850kCmdr. Patrick Friedman, right, passes command of the attack submarine Columbia (SSN-771) to Cmdr. David Edgerton during a ceremony overseen by Capt. Craig Blakely, commander of Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 7, on 15 May 2015. USN photo 150515-N-DB801-220 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steven Khor.
SSN-771335kSailors assigned to the fast-attack submarine Columbia (SSN-771) prepare to moor at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii on 6 June 2018, following a six-month western Pacific deployment. USN photo 180606-N-KC128-0184 by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Hinton.

There is no DANFS History currently available for Columbia (SSN-771) at the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site, the main archive for the DANFS Online Project.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
SSN-688 Los Angeles-class
Virtual Tour of USS Springfield (SSN 761) from PBS's Nova web site

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