The USS Olympia (SSN-717) is a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered fast attack submarine of the United States Navy, representing the 30th vessel in its class. Constructed by Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia, her keel was laid down on March 31, 1981, following a contract awarded on September 15, 1977. She was launched on April 30, 1983, with Mrs. Dorothy Williams serving as her sponsor, and officially commissioned on November 17, 1984. Designed for rapid, stealthy operations, Olympia features the streamlined hull typical of the Los Angeles class, optimized for underwater speed and maneuverability. Her nuclear propulsion system allows for extended submerged endurance, making her a formidable asset in the U.S. Navy's submarine force. During her service, Olympia was assigned to Submarine Squadron 7 (SUBRON SEVEN) and was homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. One notable milestone in her operational history occurred in 1998 when she became the first Pacific-based submarine to pass through the Suez Canal in over 35 years, highlighting her strategic mobility and operational reach. Over the years, Olympia served in various capacities, contributing to U.S. naval dominance in the Pacific. By August 2018, following the inactivation of USS Bremerton (SSN-698), Olympia became the oldest active attack submarine in the Pacific Fleet. She continued a tradition of transferring notable artifacts, such as Richard O'Kane's cribbage board, from older vessels to newer ones. Olympia was decommissioned on February 5, 2021, after arriving at Bremerton, Washington, for inactivation and decommissioning on October 31, 2019. She is now in the Navy’s Ship-Submarine Recycling Program, marking the end of her distinguished service.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.