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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Patch at left contributed by Mike Smolinski

Kamehameha (SSBN-642) (SSN-642)
Active Service - Decommissioning

Radio Call Sign: November - Sierra- Kilo- Uniform

To Additional Pages

Keel Laying - Launching
Fitting Out - Commissioning

Benjamin Franklin Class Ballistic Missile Submarine: Laid down, 2 May 1963, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA.; Launched, 16 January 1965; Commissioned, USS Kamehameha (SSBN-642), 10 December 1965; Reconfigured for special warfare operations and redesignated, Attack Submarine (SSN-642), in July 1992; Decommissioned and struck from the Naval Register, 2 April 2002; Final Disposition, undergoing disposal through the NPSSRP (Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.

SSBN Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 7,325 t., Submerged: 8,251 t.; Length 425'; Beam 33'; Draft 29'; Speed, Surfaced 16 kts, Submerged 21 kts; Depth limit 1,300'; Complement 140 (each crew, blue and gold); Armament, 16 missile tubes; four 21" torpedo tubes, forward, MK 14/16 Anti-ship Torpedo MK 37 Anti-Submarine Torpedo, MK 45 ASTOR Nuclear Torpedo MK 48 Anti-Submarine Torpedo ; Combat Sensors, BPS-11A or BPS-15 surface-search radar, BQR-7 sonar, BQR-15 towed-array sonar, BQR-19 sonar, BQR-21 sonar, BQS-4 sonar Propulsion, S5W nuclear reactor two geared steam turbines, 15,000 SHP, one propeller.

Size	Image Description	Source
96k	The Kamehameha (SSBN-642) sails along into the setting sun, circa 1966-92.	US Navy photo courtesy of Federation of American Scientists (fas.org)
173k	A port beam view of the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine Kamehameha (SSN-642) underway in the harbor as it departs Naval Station, Charleston, S.C., on 21 Feb 1984.	USN photo # DN-ST-90-08295, by Don S. Montgomery, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
54k	Kamehameha (SSN-642) & tender Hunley (AS-31), with the Harbor Tug Natick (YTB-760) coming alongside in Holy Loch, Scotland, circa 1985.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle & kamfish.com.
119k	The Kamehameha (SSN-642) returns to Mare Island after completing sea trials in July 1993. *Kamehameha* was convered to a SSN at Mare Island from 24 Sep 1992 and 23 Jul 1993.	US Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
575k	A SEAL Swimmer ascends from the nuclear-powered submarine Kamehameha (SSN-642) to the surface breathing on a "pony" SCUBA bottle. The SEAL will board the collapsible rigid rubber craft which has already been deployed, 1 Nov 1993.	US Navy photo photo # DN-ST-95-00316, by LCDR. Mike Wood, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
605k	Drydock Shelter (DDS) crewmen swim down the tether line to the DDS on board the nuclear-powered submarine Kamehameha (SSN-642) during duel shelter special operations training off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, 1 Nov 1993.	US Navy photo photo # DN-ST-95-00318, by LCDR. Mike Wood, from the Defense Visual Information Center, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil
147k	Kamehameha (SSN-642) with Dual Dry Deck Shelters installed for SEAL Team Lockout Operations Taken during swim call off Ewa Beach Hawaii in 1994.	Photo by RMC(SS) Tony Christopher. Photo added 09/23/09.
40k	Commemorative post mark on Kamehameha's (SSN-642) tour of duty with Submarine Squadron 1, 1997.	Photo courtesy of Jack Treutle.
372k	With the help of the *C-Tractor 7, a Choest Marine owed tug, Kamehameha* (SSN-642) prepares to depart NAS North Island to support Exercise Kernel Blitz '97 at Camp Pendleton, California on 16 Jun 1997. Kernel Blitz '97 is a bi-annual Commander-in-Chief Pacific (CINCPAC) fleet training exercise (FLEETEX) focused on operational/tactical training of Commander, Third Fleet (C3F)/ I Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF) and Commander, Amphibious Group 3 (CPG-3)/ 1st Marine Division (MARDIV). Kernel Blitz '97 is designed to enhance the training of Sailors and Marines in the complexities of brigade-size amphibious assault operations.	US Navy photo # DN-SD-03-04700 by JO2 Craig P. Strawser,from the Defense Visual Information Center, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
145k	Sailors onboard Kamehameha (SSN-642) prepare to get underway in support of Exercise Kernel Blitz '97 at Camp Pendleton, California.	US Navy photo # N-2568S-001 / DN-SD-03-04698 by JO2 Craig P. Strawser, from the Defense Visual Information Center, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
59k	Kamehameha (SSBN-642) emblem design on king-t-shirt.	Photo courtesy of Jack Treutle.
67k	Kamehameha (SSN-642), glides past Orote Point through Apra Harbor, Guam, 13 April 2001. The ballistic missile submarine converted to a conventional submarine in July 1992. She is equipped with two dry deck shelters (DDS) to support Navy SEALS and SEAL Delivery Vehicles during special operations.	US Navy photo # N-9885M-003, by PH1 Alan D. Monyelle USN. US Navy Chinfo Ship Images.
86k	The Kamehameha (SSN-642) makes her way off the coast of Hawaii in this undated photo.	USN photo courtesy of pelicanharborsubvets.com.
98k	Kamehameha (SSN-642) underway, date and place unknown.	US Navy photo courtesy of COMSUBGRU Nine web site.
33k	Kamehameha (SSN-642) underway submerged, date and place unknown.	US Navy photo courtesy of COMSUBGRU Nine web site.
69k	The Command center of the Kamehameha (SSN-642), date and place unknown.	US Navy photo courtesy of globalsecurity.org
64k	Commemorative post mark from Kamehameha's (SSN-642) visit to Aqaba, Jordan, 26 April 2000, on the occasion of the first sub that visited that country.	Photo courtesy of Jack Treutle.
24k	Kamehameha's (SSN-642) Commanding Officer, CDR Hesse, escorts King Abdulah of Jordan on a tour of the boat during her visit to Aqaba, Jordan, 26 April 2000. The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting the Meritorious Unit Commendation to *Kamehameha's* for service as set forth in the following CITATION: For meritorious service from 1 June to 30 November 1999. The crew of *Kamehameha* displayed sustained superior performance during *Kamehameha's* first ever six month deployment to the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf. While deployed, the crew of *Kamehameha* displayed expertise in the area of Naval Special Warfare, completing special missions throughout Asia and the Persian Gulf. *Kamehameha's* flawless performance during the first ever operational evaluation of SEAL and diver performance during Dry Deck Shelter operations in the extreme warm waters of the Persian Gulf provided special operations forces with invaluable insight and lessons learned in a new and challenging warfighting environment, while clearly demonstrating the ability to conduct special operations in these extreme temperature conditions. *Kamehameha* operational support of the *Kitty Hawk* battle group, participation in several high level exercises, as well as the recertification of the ship for independent Dry Deck Shelter operations was completed in superb fashion. In addition, the crew of *Kamehameha* conducted the first ever port visit of a nuclear powered submarine to Aqaba, Jordan, where they completed several high level onboard visits to include the King of Jordan, as well as the unprecedented completion of six community relations projects. By their unrelenting determination, perseverance, and steadfast devotion to duty, the officers and enlisted personnel of *Kamehameha* reflected great credit upon themselves and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. For the Secretary, J. L. Johnson Admiral, United States Navy Chief of Naval Operations	Photo courtesy of Jack Treutle.Text courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
58k	Capt. Robert W. Dickieson, the first commanding officer of the Kamehameha (SSN-642) comes aboard during a change of command ceremony, January, 2001.	Photo by JO2 Cori Rhea, courtesy of csp.navy.mil.
96k	Rear Adm. John B. Padgett III, commander of the Pacific Submarine Force, in June, 2001 was off-island for the historic return, but sent a message congratulating the crew on their deployment, and called the return "bittersweet." He added that "Kamehameha's (SSN-642) legacy in the Pacific is renowned. For longer than most of the members of her current crew have been alive, this true warrior has helped secure peace for the nation. Your crew should take significant pride in knowing that they are the last to join in *Kamehameha's* regal legacy."	US Navy photo & text courtesy of csp.navy.mil by JO2 Cori Rhea, submitted by Bill Gonyo.
250k	Senator Daniel Inouye is escorted off the Kamehameha (SSN-642) following inactivation ceremony.	Photo by JOCS(SW/AW) Darrell Ames, courtesy of csp.navy.mil.
212k	Kamehameha (SSN-642) sailors man the rails one last time at her inactivation ceremony, 8 August, 2001.	Photo by JOCS(SW/AW) Darrell Ames, courtesy of csp.navy.mil.
228k	Kamehameha (SSN-642) receives Royal Hawaiian blessing at her inactivation ceremony, 8 August, 2001.	Photo by JOCS(SW/AW) Darrell Ames, courtesy of csp.navy.mil.
71k	Commemorative post mark to Kamehameha's (SSN-642) inactivation ceremony, 8 August, 2001.	Photo courtesy of Jack Treutle.
33k	Commemorative post mark on Kamehameha (SSN-642) & Batfish (SSN-681) issued after finishing the NPSSRP (Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program), Sept. 2002.	Photo courtesy of Jack Treutle.