USS Los Angeles (SSN 688), the fourth naval ship to be named after the City of Los Angeles, is the lead ship of her class. Designed as a follow-on to the Sturgeon - class submarines built during the 1960s, the Los Angeles- class incorporates improved sound quieting and a larger propulsion plant than previous classes.

Launched on April 6, 1974 at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Newport News, Virginia, her sponsor was the Honorable Anne L. Armstrong, counselor to the President. USS Los Angeles was commissioned on November 13, 1976, Cmdr. John E. Christensen in command.

She made her first operational deployment to the Mediterranean Sea in 1977 and was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation.

In 1978 SSN 688 was transferred to the Pacific Fleet and was assigned to Submarine Squadron Seven, homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

In July 1992, the Los Angeles departed Naval Station Pearl Harbor for a homeport change to Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California. Arriving on August 6, she commenced the first Engineered Refueling Overhaul of a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine. During the overhaul, she was outfitted with the latest state-of-the-art sonar and fire control systems, as well as the Navy’s newest reactor controls equipment. These extensive upgrades make her one of the most advanced submarines in the submarine force.

USS Los Angeles returned to an operational status in March 1995, after the 31 month overhaul. She was re-assigned to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, attached to Submarine Squadron One.

August 11, 2003 SSN 688 returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor after a six-month deployment in the western Pacific.

September 10, Cmdr. Thomas P. Stanley relieved Cmdr. Cristopher B. Thomas, as CO of USS Los Angeles, during the change of command ceremony abord the ship.

November 9, 2004 USS Los Angeles departed for a western Pacific deployment in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

March 30, 2005 The fast attack submarine pulled to Apra Harbor, Guam, for a routine port call.

May 6, SSN 688 returned to homeport after a six-month underway period.

November 20, 2006 USS Los Angeles, commanded by Cmdr. Erik Burian, held a ceremony to mark its 30th birthday on Nov. 13, on the pier at Naval Station Pearl Harbor. She is currently in preparation for the deployment next year.

November 30, Los Angeles is currently moored at the Southeast Alaska Acoustic Measurement Facility Static Site in Ketchikan, Alaska, as part of Escape Exercise 2006. She was the first nuclear-powered U.S. submarine to conduct an open ocean escape.

December 7, SSN 688 arrived into namesake port of Los Angeles for the first time.

May 8, 2007 USS Los Angeles departed Pearl Harbor for a scheduled western Pacific deployment.

October 24, The oldest attack submarine pulled to Yokosuka, Japan, for the final port visit before it returns to Pearl Harbor.

July 30, 2008 The Los Angeles returned to homeport after participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2008 off the Hawaiian coast.

October 20, 2009 USS Los Angeles, commanded by Cmdr. Steven Harrison, pulled to Apra Harbor, Guam, for a routine port visit.

November 19, SSN 688 returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor from its last western Pacific deployment.

January 14, 2010 USS Los Angeles departed Pearl Harbor for her final voyage to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Wash., for inactivation.

January 20, The submarine arrived in Los Angeles Harbor for its last port visit. The arrival kicked-off the 14th annual Navy Days L.A. celebration.

January 23, USS Los Angeles held a decommissioning ceremony at San Pedro, Calif.

February 1, SSN 688 is inactivated and placed in Reserve (Stand Down) status.

February 4, 2011 USS Los Angeles is officially decommissioned, after more than 34 years of service, during a ceremony at the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PSNS&IMF).