Casper, Robin, MM1

USS Philadelphia (SSN-690), a Los Angeles-class attack submarine, was the sixth ship of the United States Navy to be named for the city of Philadelphia. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 8 January 1971 and her keel was laid down on 12 August 1972. She was launched on 19 October 1974 sponsored by Mrs. Hugh Scott, and commissioned on 25 June 1977, with Commander Robert B. Osborne in command.

In September 1977, Philadelphia was involved in a collision with the USS Archerfish (SSN-678) at the Groton Submarine Base. The two ships collided stern to stern with minor damage reported.

In 1988, Philadelphia became the first submarine to receive TLAM-D capability.
 

In 1994, Philadelphia completed the first refueling overhaul of a Los Angeles-class submarine. This was completed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine.
 

In 1998, Philadelphia was modified to carry a Dry Deck Shelter.


In December 2003, Philadelphia became the first Los Angeles-class submarine to complete 1,000 dives.
 

On 5 September 2005 Philadelphia was in the Persian Gulf about 30 nautical miles (60 km) northeast of Bahrain when she collided with a Turkish merchant ship, MV Yasa Aysen. No injuries were reported on either vessel. Damage to the submarine was described as "superficial." Philadelphia's Commanding Officer, CDR Steven M. Oxholm, was relieved following the incident. The Turkish ship, which suffered minor damage to her hull just above the water line, was inspected by the United States Coast Guard and found still seaworthy.
 

On 20 July 2009 the Navy announced that the submarine would be inactivated on 10 June 2010 and subsequently decommissioned. Philadelphia was decommissioned on 25 June 2010, the thirty-third anniversary of her commissioning.

 

Over the course of her career, the Philadelphia received many awards. Among the ribbons and medals her crew earned were:
 

• Navy Unit Commendation in 1983
• Meritorious Unit Commendation in 1987, 1989, 1999, and 2003
• Battle Efficiency "E" Ribbon in 1983, 1990, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, and 2007
• Navy Expeditionary Medal in 2005
• Southwest Asia Service Medal in 1991

In terms of other awards given to the ship in terms of excellence from her crew in individual departments, she was awarded:
Ney Memorial Award for Outstanding Food Service in 1983 (an award for which she was also a finalist in 1996)
 

• "A" Award for Outstanding Anti-Submarine Warfare in 1987, 1988, 1989, and 1991 Communications Green "C" in 1998, 1999, 2005, and 2007
• Tactical White "T" in 1999 and 2000
• Damage Control Red "DC" in 1999 and 2005
• Deck "D" in 2000
• Engineering Excellence "E" in 2001 and 2006
• Supply Blue "E" in 2001 and 2006
• Medical Yellow "M" in 2005

Furthermore, the Philadelphia was awarded the COMSUBLANT Battenberg Cup Nominee for Best All Around Unit in 1996, the CINCLANTFLT Golden Anchor Award in 1990, and the CINCLANTFLT Silver Anchor Award in 1997 and 1998.

Mottos:

• "Philly Delivers"
• "Whatever It Takes"
• "Whatever It Takes To Do It Right"
• "Service Above Self"

• USS Philadelphia (1776), a gunboat sunk in the Battle of Valcour Island
• USS Philadelphia (1799), a 36-gun sailing frigate active in the Quasi-War
• USS Philadelphia (1861), a side-wheel steamer used in the American Civil War
• USS Philadelphia (C-4), a protected cruiser commissioned in 1890 and in service until 1926
• USS Philadelphia (CL-41), a light cruiser commissioned 1937, active in World War II

Starboard bow view of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Philadelphia (SSN-690) tied up at the commercial pier for a port visit as part of Navy Day, the 221st birthday of the American Navy on October 9, 1996.

















Nimitz class aircraft carrier Carl Vinson (CVN-74) and Los Angeles class submarine Philadelphia (SSN-690) as they pass one another while transiting the Suez Canal, 8 July 2005.