DVIDS – News – USS Providence decommissioned after 37 years of service

KITSAP NAVAL BASE – BANGOR, Wash. (September 1, 2022) – The Los Angles-class fast attack submarine USS Providence (SSN 719) held a decommissioning ceremony at the US Naval Undersea Museum in Keyport, Wash., Sept. 1, 2022.

The submarine was officially decommissioned on August 15, 2022 at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS-IMF).

“The decommissioning of the USS Providence was a tremendous achievement,” said Cmdr. Bill Howey, the last commanding officer of the Providence association with the USS Oklahoma City, which was decommissioned alongside us. From the start, in early December, my crew dealt with whatever adversity presented itself, and we overcame it to complete the fastest PSNS-IMF defuel to date. More importantly, we kept the crew engaged in their combat prowess by employing over 400 hours of trainers to ensure we lived up to our mantra, Warfighters to the End!

Providence was the first fast attack submarine equipped with a vertical launch system for Tomahawk cruise missiles. Its operations and deployments span the globe and include combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Odyssey Dawn.

At the start of the global war on terror, Providence was the first company to respond to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and was named the “big dog of the Red Sea” during Operation Iraqi Freedom for firing the most missiles in 2003 .

“Providence’s crew is her most valuable asset and exemplifies the competence, character and teamwork that characterize United States Navy submarines,” Howey said. “The crew represents those who have preceded us in service to our nation, and they stand ready to continue that beautiful tradition today.”
Providence was awarded Navy Unit Commendation (Bronze Star), Meritorious Unit Commendation (Bronze Star), and Battle Efficiency “E” (five awards). The boat continued the tradition of its predecessors: to protect and defend the United States of America against all enemies.

Providence departed its homeport of Groton, Connecticut and arrived at PSNS-IMF for deactivation on September 23, 2021. During the deactivation process, PSNS-IMF defuelled the submarine’s nuclear reactor and retained the hull for safe storage until decommissioning.

At over 300 feet long and weighing more than 6,000 tons underwater, Providence was one of the world’s most stealthy submarines, capable of operating at depths of more than 800 feet and speeds in excess of 25 nautical miles per hour. The submarine was capable of supporting a wide variety of missions including submarine warfare, surface ship warfare, strike, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.