USS LA JOLLA (SSN 701)

USS LA JOLLA (SSN 701) is named for La Jolla, California, and is the first warship named after this township. LA JOLLA was originally designated SAN DIEGO but it was discovered that a Military Sealift Command (MSC) Combat Store Ship commissioned in 1969 had been given the name. Based on this information Congressman Bob Wilson told Admiral H. G. Rickover he wanted the ship named LA JOLLA. LA JOLLA is the fourteenth ship of the LOS ANGELES class of nuclear attack submarines.

The keel was laid on 16 October 1976 with Congressman Bob Wilson participating. She was launched 11 August 1979, with Mrs. Bob Wilson as Sponsor and Congressman Wilson as the primary speaker.

LA JOLLA was commissioned on 24 October 1981. In March 1982, LA JOLLA transited the Panama Canal, transferred from Atlantic Fleet to the Pacific Fleet and commenced operating under the cognizance of Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

COMMANDING OFFICER - CDR Kevin K. Roach | Biography