Los Angeles-class submarine USS Olympia visits namesake city

U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class submarine USS Olympia departed the city of Olympia on January 30 following a series of engagements with civic and community leaders and locally-based organizations.

The namesake visit provided an opportunity for the crew of Olympia to demonstrate the quality of naval personnel to the citizens of the Pacific Northwest, particularly the city of Olympia and surrounding areas.

Olympia arrived at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton January 27, and was greeted on the pier by community leaders and supporters, including former Secretary of State Ralph Munro.

Tours of the submarine were given to various groups to include the Sea Cadets, the Navy League, the Submarine League and government officials.

Over 60 crew members boarded buses in Bremerton and traveled to the city of Olympia, Jan. 28. During their visit, they performed community relations projects, toured the capital and surrounding attractions, and met with community members. A lunch was also held for the crew by the Olympia Yacht Club and the boat performed an awards ceremony in front of the large audience. Four Sailors were pinned with their submarine enlisted warfare “dolphins”, four Sailors were presented with the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, and the Sailor of the Quarter and Blue Jacket of the Quarter Sailors were announced.

The final day of their visit, the crew enjoyed liberty in Bremerton. The Navy League and Submarine League hosted a dinner for the crew at a local restaurant called the Horse and Cow.

“It was an honor and a pleasure to support the weekend namesake city visit of the USS Olympia,” said retired Capt. Alan Beam, northwest coastal area president of the Navy League. “The city of Olympia and its citizens went out of their way to welcome the submarine and its Sailors and make them feel at home. This visit enabled the crew to see their city first hand. The link between the namesake city and the submarine is a vital source of crew identity and morale. I am glad everyone had a great time.”

USS Olympia is the second ship of the United States Navy to be named after Olympia, Washington. Commissioned on Nov. 17, 1984, Olympia is the 29th ship of the Los Angeles-class nuclear powered fast-attack submarines. The submarine is 362-feet long, displaces 6,900 tons and can be armed with sophisticated Mark-48 torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles.