USS Alamogordo (ARDM-2)

• Designation and Role: USS Alamogordo (ARDM-2) was a Medium Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock, primarily used to repair and maintain submarines and small surface vessels. • Namesake: The dock was named after Alamogordo, New Mexico, a city notable for its proximity to the first atomic bomb test site, the Trinity Site. • Construction and Commissioning: The dry dock was constructed by the Chicago Bridge and Iron Company in Morgan City, Louisiana, and launched in 1964. • Service Entry: USS Alamogordo entered service with the United States Navy in 1965, joining Submarine Squadron 18 at the Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, Georgia. • Submarine Support: The dock was specifically built to accommodate Fleet Ballistic Missile submarines (SSBNs) and Los Angeles-class attack submarines (SSNs). • Cold War Service: During the Cold War, Alamogordo played a critical role in maintaining the operational readiness of the Navy's strategic deterrent submarines. • Flexible Deployment: As a floating dry dock, it could be towed to various locations as needed, supporting fleet operations far from traditional shipyards. • Deactivation: The USS Alamogordo was decommissioned and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register in 1995 after 30 years of service. • Final Disposition: After deactivation, the dry dock was transferred to the US Maritime Administration for disposal; its ultimate fate was scrapping. • Legacy: USS Alamogordo’s service exemplifies the often-unsung but vital logistical and maintenance roles that keep the Navy's frontline vessels mission-ready.