USS Salt Lake City (SSN-716)

• Los Angeles-Class Submarine: USS Salt Lake City (SSN-716) was a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine, one of the most numerous and successful submarine classes in U.S. Navy history. • Named After Salt Lake City, Utah: The submarine was the second U.S. Navy vessel to be named after Salt Lake City, reflecting a tradition of honoring significant American cities. • Commissioning: Salt Lake City was commissioned on 12 May 1984, at Groton, Connecticut, with Commander Richard Itkin as her first commanding officer. • Cold War Service: SSN-716 served during the latter part of the Cold War, frequently operating in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, often in intelligence and surveillance roles. • Operation Iraqi Freedom: The submarine launched Tomahawk cruise missiles during the opening stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, demonstrating the flexibility of attack submarines in modern warfare. • Record-Setting Deployment: In 2003, Salt Lake City completed a Western Pacific deployment of over 220 days, one of the longest for a Los Angeles-class submarine. • Film Appearance: The USS Salt Lake City is mentioned as a fictional submarine in Tom Clancy's novel "Red Storm Rising," though the book predates the real boat's commissioning. • Deactivation and Decommissioning: The submarine was deactivated in 2005 and officially decommissioned on 15 November 2006 at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington. • Preserved Sail and Rudder: The sail and rudder of SSN-716 have been preserved and are on display at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City as a tribute to the boat and her crews. • Battle Efficiency Awards: Throughout her career, USS Salt Lake City received numerous Battle "E" awards, recognizing her as one of the most efficient and effective submarines in the fleet.