What Navy Ships are in San Diego?
San Diego is home to one of the largest and most important naval bases in the world, Naval Base San Diego (32nd Street Naval Station). With a rich history dating back to 1923, the base is the headquarters of the United States Navy’s Pacific Fleet and provides support to naval ships and aircraft operating in the Pacific, Indian, and Arctic Oceans.
Carrier Strike Groups
The United States Navy has a total of 11 aircraft carrier strike groups (CSGs), and five of them are home-ported in San Diego.
| Carrier | Hull Number | Commissioned | Deployments |
|---|---|---|---|
| USS Nimitz (CVN-68) | CVN-68 | 1975 | Ongoing deployments |
| USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) | CVN-70 | 1980 | Ongoing deployments |
| USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) | CVN-71 | 1986 | Ongoing deployments |
| USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) | CVN-76 | 2003 | Ongoing deployments |
| USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) | CVN-74 | 1995 | Ongoing deployments |
Other Surface Combatants
In addition to the aircraft carrier strike groups, San Diego is also home to numerous other surface combatants, including:
| Ship Class | Hull Number | Commissioned | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arleigh Burke-class destroyer | USS Russell (DDG-59), USS Spruance (DDG-111) | 1995, 2010 | Multiple deployments |
| Garcia-class frigate | USS Simpson (FFG-56), USS Gary (FFG-51) | 1985, 1984 | Inactive in reserve |
| Kidd-class destroyer | USS Kidd (DDG-100) | 2007 | Ongoing deployments |
| Los Angeles-class submarine | USS San Francisco (SSN-711), USS Olympia (SSN-717) | 1981, 1986 | Ongoing deployments |
| Virginia-class attack submarine | USS Alabama (SSN-815), USS Connecticut (SSN-847) | 2019, 2020 | Ongoing deployments |
Amphibious Assault Ships
The United States Navy also has a fleet of amphibious assault ships, commonly referred to as "assault ships." These vessels are designed to transport marines and their equipment to the battlefield. San Diego is home to the following amphibious assault ships:
| Ship Class | Hull Number | Commissioned | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wasp-class amphibious assault ship | USS Essex (LHD-2), USS Boxer (LHD-4) | 1992, 1997 | Ongoing deployments |
| USS America (LHA-6) | LHA-6 | 2014 | Ongoing deployments |
| Makin Island-class amphibious assault ship | USS Makin Island (LHD-8) | 2009 | Ongoing deployments |
Patrol Boats
In addition to the larger naval vessels, San Diego is also home to a number of smaller patrol boats. These vessels are used for a variety of tasks, including law enforcement, maritime security, and search and rescue operations.
| Ship Class | Hull Number | Commissioned | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patriot-class patrol boat | USCGC Patriot (WPB-87314) | 1993 | Coast Guard-manned, operates in support of the Navy |
| Respond-class patrol boat | USCGC Respond (WPB-1306) | 1982 | Coast Guard-manned, operates in support of the Navy |
| PC-class patrol boat | USS Firebolt (PC-10), USS Thunderbolt (PC-12) | 1998, 2000 | Ongoing deployments |
Other Naval Vessels
In addition to the vessels listed above, Naval Base San Diego is also home to a number of other naval vessels, including mine countermeasures ships, submarines, and research vessels. These vessels are used for a variety of tasks, including mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare, and oceanographic research.
Conclusion
As you can see, Naval Base San Diego is home to a diverse range of naval vessels, from aircraft carriers to patrol boats. The base plays a critical role in supporting the United States Navy’s operations in the Pacific, Indian, and Arctic Oceans, and is a vital part of the country’s national defense. Whether you’re interested in naval history, current operations, or simply want to learn more about the ships that call San Diego home, there’s always something new to discover.
