About this Unit
USS Lafayette (SSBN-616) was the lead ship of her class of fleet ballistic missile submarines in the United States Navy. Commissioned on April 23, 1963, she played a key role in the nation's strategic deterrent during the Cold War, conducting numerous deterrent patrols armed with Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missiles. Lafayette operated primarily out of Holy Loch, Scotland, and later Kings Bay, Georgia, ensuring a continuous at-sea deterrent presence. The submarine was decommissioned on August 12, 1991, after nearly three decades of service and was eventually recycled through the Navy’s Ship-Submarine Recycling Program.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Lafayette (SSBN-616) was named after the Marquis de Lafayette, a French aristocrat and military officer who fought in the American Revolutionary War, symbolizing the enduring US-French alliance.
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Lead Ship: Lafayette was the lead ship of her class of ballistic missile submarines, known as the Lafayette-class, which included a total of nine submarines.
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Commissioning: She was commissioned on April 23, 1963, in Groton, Connecticut, at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics.
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Polaris to Poseidon: Originally equipped with Polaris missiles, USS Lafayette was later converted to carry the more advanced Poseidon C3 ballistic missiles, enhancing her strike capabilities.
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Dual Crew System: Like other US ballistic missile submarines, she operated with two alternating crews ("Blue" and "Gold") to maximize patrol time and readiness during the Cold War.
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Significant Patrols: During her service, USS Lafayette completed over 60 strategic deterrent patrols, playing a key role in the United States' nuclear deterrence strategy.
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Cuban Missile Crisis Era: Her launch and early patrols occurred during the heightened tensions of the early 1960s, reflecting the importance of ballistic missile submarines during crises like the Cuban Missile Crisis.
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Presidential Visit: President John F. Kennedy attended USS Lafayette's launching ceremony on May 8, 1962, underscoring her significance to national security.
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Decommissioning: USS Lafayette was decommissioned on August 12, 1991, after nearly three decades of service, and was later scrapped via the Nuclear-Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.
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Legacy: Artifacts and memorabilia from USS Lafayette have been preserved in various naval museums, and her service is commemorated by veteran associations and naval history organizations.
