USS Columbia (SSN-771)

USS Columbia (SSN-771), is the 60th Los Angeles class submarine, and is the eighth vessel of the United States Navy to bear that name. The earlier Columbia's were given their names for differing reasons; SSN-771 was specifically named in honor of Columbia, South Carolina, Columbia, Missouri, and Columbia, Illinois.

The contract to build Columbia was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 14 December 1988 and her keel was laid down on 21 April 1993. She was the 33rd Los Angeles class built by EB, and was launched on 24 September 1994 with the slide down a 1300-foot wooden ramp, the last American submarine to do so, giving her the title of "The Last Slider."

Columbia was sponsored by Hillary Rodham Clinton, and commissioned on 9 October 1995, with Commander Dale Govan in command. Currently, USS Columbia is under the command of Commander Dennis J. Klein who has recently been relieved from command, Lt. Commander Melvyn Naidas as his Executive Officer, and Master Chief Donald Williams Jr. as the Chief of the Boat (COB), who also has been recently relieved from command.