MISSION
What We’re Going to Do
Build a museum monument in Steele Indian School Park commemorating Cold War veterans, civil service and defense workers as well as the role of the USS Phoenix (SSN-702) in helping end the Cold War against the Warsaw Pact nations.
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.
