Friends of the USS Columbia Submarine

05/31/2026

We honor those WWII submariners on ‘Eternal Patrol.’

05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day, we lay the USS Columbia Submarine wreath at our county courthouse to honor those who gave their lives in military service to the United States. www.friendsoftheusscolumbia.org

05/17/2026

On Armed Forces Day, we salute the USS Columbia SSN-771 crew members. Their Silent Service is appreciated and respected.
https://www.friendsoftheusscolumbia.org

05/14/2026

Setting the ‘First Watch’ on a fast attack submarine, a Navy tradition. 

The First Watch of the Albany
The moment a submarine transitions from a construction project to a living, breathing defender of the deep is a tradition steeped in naval history. In 1990, that weight of responsibility rested on the shoulders of the Officer of the Deck as he prepared to set the very first watch aboard the USS Albany (SSN-753).

While the commissioning ceremony on the pier is for the dignitaries and the public, the "setting of the watch" is for the Sailors. It is the exact heartbeat when the crew officially takes custody of the ship, establishing a 24/7 vigil that will last for the next several decades. Standing on the deck of this brand-new, nuclear-powered attack submarine, the OOD wasn't just starting a shift, he was initiating a legacy of stealth, readiness, and excellence for the 753.

05/08/2026

Military spouses are built of courage, resilience, reliability, and amazing strength. We are grateful for all the sacrifices made by our Military Spouses🇺🇸🇺🇸

05/07/2026

Life on a Los Angeles class submarine like the USS Columbia SSN – 771 involves hard work, heroics, and tediously waiting for laundry… 

Submarine Realities: Life in the World’s Smallest Laundry Room
Forget the high-tech sonar screens and the drama of the torpedo room for a second, this is the real, unglamorous heart of the "Silent Service." In this 1983 snapshot, a crewman finds a rare moment of stillness in the tiny laundry room aboard the USS La Jolla (SSN-701), waiting for his gear to finish a cycle.

On a Los Angeles-class fast attack sub, space is the most precious commodity on board. Every square inch is calculated, and the laundry room is often no bigger than a broom closet, tucked away in a corner of the boat. In an era long before smartphones or digital distractions, "waiting for the dryer" meant sitting with your thoughts, perhaps catching a quick nap, or just enjoying a few minutes of solitude away from the constant hum of the control room.

For the crew of the La Jolla, clean socks and a fresh uniform weren't just about hygiene; they were a massive boost to morale during long Cold War deployments. It’s a powerful reminder that while the boat is a marvel of nuclear engineering, it’s the ordinary, everyday routines of the Sailors that keep the mission moving forward. Whether you’re navigating the Pacific or just waiting for your dungarees to dry, life under the waves is a test of patience and character.

05/03/2026

Interesting Battleship USS Missouri history during the Korean War.

On April 27, 1951, the USS Missouri returned to Norfolk following her first Korean War deployment. This photo captures her mooring at Pier 7, surrounded by crowds welcoming her home. Alongside the Missouri is the heavy cruiser USS Albany.

Over the years, the Missouri underwent several changes, including upgrades to her mast and the removal of equipment used for launching floatplanes. At the time of this photo, she carried black funnel caps and smaller hull numbers, which would be replaced with larger, more prominent markings the following year, just prior to her second Korean War deployment.

04/26/2026

Unlike US submarines, Russian submarines were built with windows in their conning towers. Here’s why:

Why Soviet submarines had windows on their conning towers
During the Cold War, many Soviet submarines featured what looked like windows high on their conning towers, but these were not meant for underwater use. They were part of an enclosed surface bridge designed for operations while the submarine was running on the surface. Unlike Western designs, which focused on long submerged endurance and kept sail structures minimal, Soviet submarines were often expected to spend more time traveling on the surface. These enclosed bridges with forward facing windows allowed officers to navigate visually while protected, making them practical for real operating conditions rather than purely underwater performance.
This design choice was strongly influenced by geography and operating environment. Soviet submarines frequently operated in the North Atlantic and Arctic, where extreme cold, strong winds, and heavy seas made open bridge positions unsafe and exhausting for crew. The enclosed bridge provided shelter from freezing spray and harsh weather, improving safety and efficiency during surface travel. These windows were not pressure vulnerable weak points, as they were located in non pressure areas and became irrelevant once the submarine submerged. The feature reflects a different naval approach where surface handling, visibility, and environmental survival were just as important as underwater stealth.

04/17/2026

Two of the four astronauts are Navy pilots, and the first people to greet them back to earth were also Navy, guiding them to safety. 

04/12/2026

Sending happy birthday wishes to all the submariners… wherever you may be, on land, or underway.