About this Unit
USS SIMON LAKE (AS-33) was a Simon Lake-class submarine tender commissioned by the United States Navy in 1964. Named after the submarine pioneer Simon Lake, the vessel provided vital repair, resupply, and logistical support to the Navy's submarine fleet, particularly ballistic missile submarines, during the Cold War. Throughout her service, USS SIMON LAKE operated in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean, supporting operations from bases such as Holy Loch, Scotland, and La Maddalena, Italy. After nearly four decades of service, she was decommissioned in 1999, having played a key role in maintaining the operational readiness of the US Navy’s submarine force.
Historical Facts
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Namesake: USS Simon Lake (AS-33) was named after Simon Lake, an American mechanical engineer and naval architect who was a pioneer in submarine design.
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Commissioning: The ship was commissioned on 7 November 1964, serving as a submarine tender for the United States Navy.
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Role: USS Simon Lake’s primary mission was to provide repair, maintenance, and logistical support to submarines, particularly those carrying ballistic missiles during the Cold War.
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Polaris and Poseidon Support: She was specially outfitted to support Polaris and later Poseidon ballistic missile submarines, playing a crucial strategic role in nuclear deterrence.
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First Homeport: Her original homeport was Charleston, South Carolina, before deploying to various locations worldwide.
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Holy Loch, Scotland: In 1966, Simon Lake deployed to Holy Loch, Scotland, becoming a familiar sight and an important support facility for U.S. submarines operating in the Atlantic.
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Global Operations: The ship served at several key locations including Rota, Spain; Kings Bay, Georgia; La Maddalena, Sardinia; and even provided support in the Indian Ocean at Diego Garcia.
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Women at Sea: In 1988, USS Simon Lake became one of the first ships in the U.S. Navy to have women assigned as part of the crew, marking a significant milestone in naval integration.
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Decommissioning: After nearly 35 years of service, the ship was decommissioned on 31 July 1999 and placed in the reserve fleet at Philadelphia.
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Decorations: Throughout her service, USS Simon Lake earned multiple awards, including the Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and several Battle Efficiency ("E") awards for her outstanding performance.
