USS Albuquerque ( SSN - 706 ) USS " Albuquerque " ( SSN - 706 ) , a " Los Angeles " - class attack submarine , was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Albuquerque , New Mexico . The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton , Connecticut on 31 October 1973 and her keel was laid down on 27 December 1979 . She was launched on 13 March 1982 sponsored by Mrs . Nancy L . Domenici , and commissioned on 21 May 1983 with Captain Richard H . Hartman in command . 1983 - 1986 . In October 1983 , Captain Hartman was replaced as Commanding Officer by Captain Scott L . Sears . " Albuquerque " spent the remainder of 1983 engaged in operations at sea completing a variety of tests , examinations , certifications , and inspections . " Albuquerque " began 1985 with sonar training and weapons systems drills in her local operating area . In February , she completed preparations for a two - month patrol that began on 27 February , returning home at the beginning of May . Operations along the East Coast occupied her time until mid - June when " Albuquerque " went back to sea . Two months later , she returned and took up local duty until November when she cruised to Florida to serve as a school ship for prospective commanding officers . " Albuquerque " resumed local operations out of her home port in December . On 14 January 1986 , " Albuquerque " entered Electric Boat Shipyard for a two - month restricted availability . In March , she began alternating between local evolutions and upkeep in her home port until late May . Between 19 May and 14 September , " Albuquerque " remained at sea , making port calls in Scotland and England . She returned home in mid - September and , after post - deployment standdown , reported to Exuma Sound late in October for sound trials . She returned to Groton briefly at the beginning of November , but put to sea on 4 November to take part in two fleet exercises . Upkeep at New London , Connecticut , took up the period between 24 November and 7 December and an ASW exercise consumed most of December . On 3 December 1986 , Captain Sears was replaced as Commander by Captain John T . Byrd . 1996 - 1999 . The United States Navy confirms that " Albuquerque " was operating off the coast of Long Island , New York during the evening of 17 July 1996 , but had nothing to do with the loss of TWA Flight 800 . In 1999 , " Albuquerque " participated in a six - month Mediterranean cruise as a part of the USS " Theodore Roosevelt " battlegroup . She fired 10 Tomahawk ( TLAM ) cruise missiles at targets in Serb - controlled Yugoslavia , setting records for number of TLAMs fired from a Flight - I 688 class submarine , as well as the shortest time from tasking to firing on a target , earning her the nickname of " Sure Shooter " . The ship pulled into several liberty ports during this cruise , including Naples , La Maddalena , and Toulon . 2003 - 2009 . In preparation for Engineering Refueling Operation ( ERO ) , USS " Albuquerque " completed a Dual Media Discharge ( DMD ) . During the shipyard period 22 months in length , the " Albuquerque " was commended for being the fastest , and most cost effective nuclear reactor refueling operation in history . During this time , CDR Burroughs was relieved of command by CDR Stuart Munch . After completing the major overhaul at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery , Maine , USS " Albuquerque " returned to Groton in early 2003 . The rest of 2003 was spent conducting local operations , an ORSE and a weapons system upgrade . Most of 2004 was spent at sea preparing for the ship ' s first overseas deployment since the shipyard . This included a two month overseas surge deployment with a port call in Rota , Spain . USS " Albuquerque " conducted a six month deployment as part of the USS " Harry S . Truman " Carrier Strike Group from 13 October 2004 to 12 April 2005 . The ship made port calls in Scotland , Portugal , Bahrain , Seychelles , and Crete . During this deployment , USS " Albuquerque " was awarded the Squadron 2 Battle Efficiency Award for 2004 . " Albuquerque " was homeported in Groton , Connecticut , as part of Submarine Group 2 . On 27 June 2005 , CDR Robert Douglass relieved CDR Stuart Munsch as Commanding Officer . In July 2005 , Ariel Weinmann , a fire - control technician deserted from " Albuquerque " and remained at large until he was arrested in early August 2006 . In addition to desertion , he was charged with espionage . He allegedly tried to pass sensitive information about " Albuquerque " to agents of unspecified foreign governments on at least three occasions : in March 2005 in Manama , in October 2005 in Vienna , and in March in Mexico City . On 6 August 2009 , " Albuquerque " completed her change of homeport from Groton , Conn . , to Naval Base Point Loma in order to maintain 60 percent of the submarine force in the Pacific in line with the 2006 QDR .