Name USS Buffalo Laid down 25 January 1980 Homeport Pearl Harbor, Hawaii Construction started 25 January 1980 Length 110 m Builder Newport News Shipbuilding | Awarded 23 February 1976 Commissioned 5 November 1983 Status in active service Launched 8 May 1982 Beam 10 m | |
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USS Buffalo (SSN-715), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Buffalo, New York (another USS Buffalo was named for the animal). The contract to build her was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 23 February 1976 and her keel was laid down on 25 January 1980. She was launched on 8 May 1982 sponsored by Mrs. Joanne Kemp, and commissioned on 5 November 1983, with Commander G. Michael Hewitt in command.
In 1999, Buffalo was modified to carry a Dry Deck Shelter (DDS). In 2002, the Buffalo entered drydock in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and became the first ship to undergo nuclear refueling in Hawaii. In late November 2005, the DDS was used to launch an underwater glider capable of gathering and storing information to be later transmitted by means of a built-in satellite phone.
On 10 June 2008, Buffalo visited Olongapo City in the Philippines, allowing Filipino children to tour her.[1]
On 23 December 2016, Buffalo returned to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii upon completion of her last deployment prior to scheduled decommissioning. [2]
Per the Annual Report to Congress on Long-Range Planning for Construction of Naval Vessels for FY2013, Buffalo is scheduled for decommissioning in 2017.[3]
