About Us
About Us
Our volunteers are dedicated to creating a monument which highlights the relationship between the United States Navy’s attack submarine force and the efforts to contain, control and resolve the fearsome tensions arising from the Cold War, circa 1946-1991. The monument concept includes and integrates submarine artifacts and technology as well as historical information and recognition tributes. The USS Phoenix (SSN-702) Cold War Monument will honor the brave men who manned and operated these stealthy boats as well as the dedicated builders of these magnificent nuclear-powered attack submarines.
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About the USS Phoenix
702’s Early History
The USS Phoenix (SSN-702) was the 15th boat of the famed 62 Los Angeles Class attack subs, all of which were built and launched from 1972 to 1996 – the largest single class of nuclear submarines ever assembled. It was the fifth ship of the United States Navy to be named “Phoenix” and the third to be named after the city of Phoenix, Arizona.
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 30 July 1977. She was launched on 8 December 1979, sponsored by Mrs. Elizabeth Harvey Rhodes, wife of famed Arizona Congressman and House Minority Leader John J. Rhodes, with Captain William C. Rothert, USNA 1965 in command.
Today
After 18 years of waterborne storage in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, WA, cut-up and recycling of the Phoenix was commenced in the spring of 2016. The boat’s sail, diving planes and top rudder were made available by the Navy to the City of Phoenix in late May of 2016, and in August of 2016, the parts were trucked by Colt Transportation to Phoenix, arriving on 12 August at their temporary storage site at the Papago Park Military Reservation (PPMR) in Phoenix. The parts were off-loaded by Bragg Crane, and placed on heavy duty railroad ties donated by BNSF Railways. They remain at PPMR on public display until they can be moved to their final destination in Steele Indian School Park adjacent to the Arizona Veteran Home.
OUR DIRECTORS
CAPT Carol Culbertson, USN(ret)
Chairperson
CAPT Pete Lumianski, USN(ret)
Director
Chuck Manuel USAF Vet and Firefighter (ret)
Director
LCDR Lynn Bennett, USN(ret)
Director
LCDR Ed Henry, USN(ret)
Director
CWO3 (SS) Chris Gahan, USN(ret)
Director
ETN2 Dave Leclair USN(ret)
Director
Carrie Thompson Jones
Treasurer
PROJECT HISTORY
Major Milestones
30 July 1977 – The USS Phoenix Keel-Laying ceremony in Groton, CT at the General Dynamics/Electric Boat facility. Ms. Betty Rhodes, wife of Congressman John Rhodes from Arizona, is the boat’s sponsor. She is shown in the photos below with the famous “Father of the Nuclear Navy”, Admiral Hyman Rickover. Betty’s initials were inscribed on the keel.
8 December 1979 – The USS Phoenix (SSN-702), 15th boat of 62 nuclear-powered fast attack submarines is launched. The 702 is 362 ft long and 33 ft wide with a submerged displacement of 66,000 tons.
1981-1997 – 702 is on active duty in the north Atlantic, seven skippers in 17 years.
1988 – Phoenix Mayor Terry Goddard creates the USS Phoenix Commission to befriend the USS Phoenix.
Decommissioning Date, 1998
1998-2016 – 702 sits in waterborne storage in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA, awaiting deconstruction and recycling.
2008 – After many years of planning and lobbying efforts, the City of Phoenix approves of a plan to erect a USS Phoenix (SSN-702) Cold War Monument in Steele Indian School Park adjacent to the AZ Veteran Home.
22 March 2016 – Site Dedication ceremony in Steele Indian School Park, RDML Yancy Lindsey presiding.
Spring-Summer 2016 – The Navy cuts up the 702, saving its sail, diving planes and top rudder for the monument project. Sixty-five tons of salvaged parts are trucked from WA to AZ and placed in temp storage at the Papago Park Military Reservation (PPMR).
20 September 2016 – The salvaged parts are ‘rechristened’ in a special PPMR ceremony, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton presiding.
28 September 2017– Monument concept/renderings approved by the City of Phoenix’s Parks and Recreation Board.
14-18 June 2018 – First-ever 702 crew reunion held in Phoenix 20 years after the boat was decommissioned.
7 February 2019 – Fund-Raising Campaign Launched.
- 11 April 2023 – Big Sign Reveal Event in Steele Indian School Park.
25 May 2023 – City of Phoenix offers to fund and manage the project.
20 December 2024 – 30% Design Review completed by the City.
- 31 March 2025 – 60% Design Review completed by the City.
17 July 2025 – Third CAG Meeting, Held virtually via TEAMs
18 August 2025 – 90% Design Plan presented to the City for review
December 2025 – 100% Design Plan achieved
January 2026 – Permitting process begins
February 2026 – 4th CAG Review completed
Early
History
Waterborne Storage and
Parts Arrival
Parts Re-Christening in Phoenix
Preserving History: Learn, Honor, Remember!
Learn about our country’s history
Honor those who served
Remember the lessons learned!
