US Navy’s Los Angeles-class submarine returns to fleet

U.S. Navy’s Los Angeles-class submarine USS Providence (SSN 719) returned to the fleet on April 7 after completing a maintenance period that will allow her to complete her remaining scheduled deployments before being retired.

The submarine started her pre-inactivation restricted availability (PIRA) period at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on December 4, 2015, and returned to fleet 23 days ahead of schedule and on budget, according to the U.S. Navy.

“As a team, the shipyard with the captain and crew of Providence, focused on the positive plan forward,” said project superintendent, Mark Ayotte. “Together we reached our goal of getting the warfighter underway to do what they do best for the Navy and our country.”

The project team and crew thrived in an environment that promotes increased levels of collaboration, innovation and high velocity learning. Their teamwork coupled with the shipyard’s collective commitment to excellence ensured non-stop execution of work.

Providence’s PIRA was approximately 200,000 mandays of work scheduled for a 15.7 month time frame. The project team and crew completed the complex work package more than three weeks ahead of schedule.

USS providence is a 32 year old boat and, like the rest of the submarines in her class with a nominal service life of 33 years, is awaiting retirement.

Providence was built by General Dynamics Electric Boat and launched in August 1984. She was commissioned into the navy on July 27, 1985.