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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Radio Call Sign: November - Tango - Oscar - Papa

Topeka (SSN-754)

Los Angeles Class (Improved) Attack Submarine: Laid down, 13 May 1986, at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp, Groton, CT.; Launched, 23 January 1988; Commissioned, USS Topeka (SSN-754), 21 October 1989. Topeka is assigned to the US Pacific Fleet and is homeported at Pearl Harbor, HI.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 6,000 t., Submerged: 6.927 t.; Length 360'; Beam 33'; Draft 29'; Speed, Surfaced 25 kts, Submerged 30+ kts; Depth limit 950'; Complement 129; Armament, four 21" torpedo tubes aft of bow, Harpoon and Tomahawk ASM/LAM missiles from 12 VLS tubes, MK-48 torpedoes; Combat Systems, AN/BPS-5 surface search radar, AN/BPS-15 A/16 navigation and fire control radar, TB-16D passive towed sonar arrays, TB-23 passive "thin line" towed array, AN/BQG-5D wide aperture flank array, AN/BQQ-5D/E low frequency spherical sonar array, AN/BQS-15 close range active sonar (for ice detection); MIDAS Mine and Ice Detection Avoidance System, SADS-TG active detection sonar, Type 2 attack periscope (port), Type 18 search periscope (starboard), AN/BSY-1 (primary computer); UYK-7; UYK-43; UYK-44, WLR-9 Acoustic Intercept Receiver, ESM; Propulsion System, S6G nuclear reactor one propeller at 35,000 shp. Improved Performance Machinery Program Phase I [on 688 Improved].

Size	Image Description	Contributed By/ Source
57k	The Topeka (SSN-754) slides down the shipway following her launching at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corp, Groton, CT., 23 January 1988.	Photo courtesy of USNI.
35k	Officers and distinguished guests salute the colors during the commissioning ceremony of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Topeka (SSN-754) on 21 October 1989.	Official U.S. Navy Photograph # DN-ST-90-01459, by PH3 Thomas E. Witham, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
97k	Commander Timothy M. Reichert, commanding officer of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Topeka (SSN-754), escorts Secretary of Labor Elizabeth Dole, ship's sponsor, from the speakers platform following the vessel's commissioning ceremony.	Official U.S. Navy Photograph # DN-ST-90-01460, by PH3 Thomas E. Witham, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
392k	An empty speakers platform stands on the deck of the nuclear-powered attack submarine Topeka (SSN-754) following the vessel's commissioning ceremony.	Official U.S. Navy Photograph # DN-ST-90-01459, by PH3 Thomas E. Witham, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil. & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
73k	Acrylic on canvas painting by the artist William H RaVell III entitled "Topeka (SSN-754)." It was presented to the US Navy at the commissioning of the submarine on 21 October 1989. It is currently hanging in the boat's Ward Room.	Photo & text courtesy of subart.net.
177k	Accompanied by the torpedo retriever *TR-5, left, and a commercial tug, the nuclear-cleared attack submarine Topeka* (SSN-754) nears the Point Loma submarine base as it arrives at its new home port of Naval Station, San Diego, California. The *Topeka* was formerly based at Naval Submarine Base, Groton, Connecticut, 21 May 1991.	Official U.S. Navy Photograph # DN-ST-91-11754, by PH1 R.J. Oriez, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
351k	The commercial tug *Mister Randy* moves the nuclear-cleared attack submarine Topeka (SSN-754) toward the pier at the Point Loma submarine base as the *Topeka* arrives at its new home.	Official U.S. Navy Photograph # DN-ST-91-11757, by PH1 R.J. Oriez, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
217k	A 3rd class petty officer and a chief watch the readings at the diving plane station aboard the nuclear-powered attack submarine Topeka (SSN-754), 1 Jan 1992.	Official U.S. Navy Photograph # DN-ST-92-08400, by Jeff Hunter, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
261k	A yard craft assists the nuclear-powered attack submarine Topeka (SSN-754) into position alongside the submarine tender Dixon (AS-37). The *Topeka* has arrived in port for a period of routine maintenance, 5 Nov 1992.	Official U.S. Navy Photograph # DN-ST-93-01000, by PHAN D. J. Matt, from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
201k	Topeka (SSN-754) in dry dock 1994, with most of the crew standing under her bow, holding the ships banner. Commander at the time was D. A. Haines (front row far left side of photo, XO behind him), I was a sonar technician on board at the time (I am in the back row, center, with that stupid grin on my face, almost right in front of the Pit Sword).	U.S. Navy photo by STS2(SS) Marshall Morgan.
181k	Sea gulls enjoy a steel beach in this aerial overhead view of the *Los Angeles-class* Attack Submarine, Topeka (SSN-754) underway in the Pacific Ocean on 10 May 1995 off of San Diego. The *Topeka* homeport is Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.	U.S. Navy Photograph # DN-SC-04-09137 from the Department of Defense Still Media Collection, courtesy of dodmedia.osd.mil.
56k	Topeka (SSN-754), sailing in the Persian Gulf sunset, pre 1996.	Photo courtesy of globalsecurity.org. Photo i.d. courtesy of STSCS(SS) Robert Carlin.
64k	Port side view of the Topeka (SSN-754), taken off of Nanoose Canada in April 1999.	Photo by STS2(SS) George Shipman, courtesy csp.navy.mil. Photo i.d. courtesy of STSCS(SS) Robert Carlin.
194k	Captain Mark D. Patton has had multiple fast attack submarine assignments, to include Atlanta (SSN-712), Hawkbill (SSN-666) as Engineer Officer and Jefferson City (SSN-759) as Executive Officer. Captain Patton commanded Topeka (SSN-754) from November 1998 to December 2000. Under his command, *Topeka* participated in 2000 and deployed to the Western Pacific, receiving the Meritorious Unit Citation for SEVENTH Fleet operations. While deployed, *Topeka* made a historic crossing of the equator and international dateline at midnight on the eve of new-year 2000.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
76k	Captain John J. Litherland commanded Topeka (SSN-754) from December 2000 through June 2003, leading her through a Western Pacific deployment, a 15-month Depot Modernization Period at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, and the post-overhaul operational recertification and change of homeport to San Diego, California. Captain Litherland then assumed command of the Pre-Commissioning Unit for Texas (SSN-775) in November 2003 and oversaw her construction, testing and initial sea trials, culminating in her commissioning in 2006. From November 2006 to November 2008 Captain Litherland served as Commanding Officer of Florida (SSGN-728) (GOLD), completing her post conversion Strike and Special Warfare certifications and conducting the maiden SSGN deployment to the Indian Ocean in support of the Global War on Terror.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
110k	Midshipman Second Class Kurt Fredland, from the U.S. Naval Academy, is being trained on the periscope as part of his summer cruise during RIMPAC leaving Pearl Harbor,HI., RIMPAC is the largest maritime exercise in the Asia-Pacific region, bringing together military forces from seven different nations.	Official U.S. Navy Photograph # N-1126V-020, by PH1 John Valente, courtesy news.navy.mil. & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
286k	The maneuvering watch aboard the *Los Angeles-class* attack submarine Topeka (SSN-754) prepares for mooring after being underway for three days off the coast of San Diego, Calif., 24 Nov. 2004. Sailors aboard *Topeka* participated in Submarine Squadron Eleven's (COMSUBRON 11) Chef Exchange Program in which chef Paul Murphy from Humphrey's by the Bay, San Diego, spent three days aboard the submarine giving Culinary Specialists tips and techniques on how to improve the quality of food and service aboard *Topeka*.	U.S. Navy photo # N-8977L-002, by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Johansen Laurel, courtesy news.navy.mil.
290k	Port side view of the Topeka (SSN-754) & the maneuvering watch aboard the *Los Angeles-class* attack submarine as she prepares for mooring after being underway for three days off the coast of San Diego, Calif., 24 Nov. 2004.	U.S. Navy photo # N-8977L-001, by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Johansen Laurel, courtesy news.navy.mil.
190k	Hospital Corpsman 1st Class Scott R. Hantsch, of Binghampton, N.Y., loads a syringe filled with flu vaccine for a Sailor aboard the *Los Angeles-class* attack submarine Topeka (SSN-754) at San Diego, Calif. 4 Jan. 2005. Petty Officer Hantsch's achievements as *Topeka's* Independent Duty Corpsman have greatly contributed to the submarine, setting the standard for Pacific Fleet medical readiness. *Topeka* was recently awarded the Medical Blue "M" signifying the best submarine medical care in the Pacific Fleet.	U.S. Navy photo # N-8977L-003, by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Johansen Laurel, courtesy news.navy.mil.
263k	A young girl holds a sign welcoming the fast-attack submarine Topeka (SSN-754) returning after a six-month deployment in the western Pacific at Point Loma, Calif. 16 April 2008.	U.S. Navy photo # N-1226D-180 by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Omar A. Dominquez.
263k	The attack submarine Topeka (SSN-754) departs San Diego harbor 23 June 2009 for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. *Topeka* commanded by Cmdr. Marc Stern. *Topeka* was showcased in the recently released movie, "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen."	U.S. Navy photo # N-1126G-005 by Command Master Chief Charles Grandin. Photo added 07/02/09.

There is no DANFS History currently available for Topeka (SSN-754) at the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site, the main archive for the DANFS Online Project.

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association

Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
SSN-688 Los Angeles-class
Virtual Tour of USS Springfield (SSN-761) from PBS's Nova web site

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