Navy Plans to Retire 48 Ships During 2022-2026

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) transits the Pacific Ocean, June 17, 2017. According to new Navy plans, Nimitz is to be recycled in 2025. U.S. Navy/ Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Holly L. Herline

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy’s 30-year shipbuilding plan, released Dec. 10, announced the names of 48 ships scheduled to be decommissioned or, in the case of Military Sealift Command Ships, placed out of service, during the fiscal years 2022 through 2026.  

Of note, the planned retirements include the first Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, the first two Ohio-class guided-missile submarines, and the first Victorious-class ocean surveillance ship. The list also includes 11 Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers and 11 Los Angeles-class attack submarines. 

The retirements are listed by fiscal year below:  

In 2022: 

  • Six Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers will be placed in reserve: San Jacinto (CG 56), Monterey (CG 61), Hue City (CG 66), Anzio (CG 68) Vella Gulf (CG 72) and Port Royal (CG 73).  
  • One Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship will be placed in reserve: Whidbey Island (LSD 41). 
  • Two Los Angeles-class attack submarines will be recycled: Providence (SSN 719) and Oklahoma City (SSN 723). 
  • One Powhatan-class fleet ocean tug will be disposed: Apache (T-ATF 172). 

In 2023:  

  • Two Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers will be placed in reserve: Bunker Hill (CG 52) and Mobile Bay (CG 53). 
  • Four Whidbey Island-class dock landing ships will be placed in reserve: Germantown (LSD 42), Gunston Hall (LSD 44), and Ashland (LSD 48). 
  • One Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship will be placed in reserve: Carter Hall (LSD 50). 
  • Two Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oilers will be disposed: John Lenthall (T-AO 189). 
  • One Powhatan-class fleet ocean tug will be disposed: Catawba (T-ATF 168). 
  • One Safeguard-class rescue and salvage ship will be disposed: Grasp (T-ARS 51) 

In 2024: 

  • Two Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers will be placed in reserve: Antietam (CG 54) and Shiloh (CG 67). 
  • One Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship will be placed in reserve: Rushmore (LSD 47). 
  • Two Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ships will be placed in reserve: Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) and Pearl Harbor (LSD 52). 
  • Four Los Angeles-class attack submarines will be recycled: Chicago (SSN 721), Key West (SSN 722) San Juan (SSN 751) and Topeka (SSN 754). 
  • Four Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships will be disposed: Sentry (MCM 3), Devastator (MCM 6), Gladiator (MCM 11) and Dextrous (MCM 13). 
  • One Safeguard-class rescue and salvage ship will be disposed: Salvor (T-ARS 52). 

In 2025: 

  • One Nimitz-class aircraft carrier will be recycled: Nimitz (CVN 68). 
  • One Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship will be placed in reserve: Oak Hill (LSD 51). 
  • Two Los Angeles-class attack submarines will be recycled: Helena (SSN 725) and Pasadena (SSN 752).  
  • One Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler will be disposed: Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188) 

In 2026: 

  • One Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser will be placed in reserve: Chancellorsville (CG 62). 
  • One Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship will be placed in reserve: Comstock (LSD 45). 
  • Two Ohio-class guided-missile submarines will be recycled: Ohio (SSGN 726) and Florida (SSGN 728). 
  • Three Los Angeles-class attack submarines will be recycled: Newport News (SSN 750), Scranton (SSN 756) and Alexandria (SSN 757).  
  • One Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler will be disposed: Pecos (T-AO 197). 
  • One Victorious-class ocean surveillance ship: Victorious (T-AGOS 19). 
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Richard R. Burgess, Senior Editor