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General Characteristics Crew List Memorabilia About the Ship's Coat of Arms Image Gallery to end of page |  |
USS SANTA BARBARA is the 16th INDEPENDENCE - class Littoral Combat Ship and the second ship in the Navy named after the city of Santa Barbara, California.
| General Characteristics: | Awarded: September 18, 2018 |
| Keel laid: October 27, 2020 | |
| Launched: November 13, 2021 | |
| Commissioned: April 1, 2023 | |
| Builder: Austal USA, Mobile, Ala. | |
| Propulsion system: two LM2500 gas turbine engines, two diesel engines, four waterjets | |
| Length: 418 feet (127.5 meters) | |
| Beam: 104 feet (31.5 meters) | |
| Draft: 13 feet (4 meters) | |
| Displacement: approx. 3,104 tons full load | |
| Speed: 47 knots | |
| Armament: one Mk-110 57mm gun, one SeaRAM CIWS | |
| Aircraft: two MH-60 helicopters | |
| Homeport: San Diego, Calif. | |
| Crew: 8 officers, 32 enlisted |
back to top go to the end of the pageback to top go to the end of the pageCrew List:
This section contains the names of sailors who served aboard USS SANTA BARBARA. It is no official listing but contains the names of sailors who submitted their information.
back to top go to the end of the pageback to top go to the end of the pageAbout the Ship's Coat of Arms:
The Shield:
The tri-parted left side of the shield portrays the official flag of Santa Barbara, California, which was adopted in 1923. The tower recalls the city's Spanish origins in which Saint Barbara (patron namesake) was held prior to her execution. The right side of the shield alludes to the California coast and depicts the open sea. The ship illustrates the relation between sailors, ships and their operational responsibilities. The red star denotes the State of California and is adapted from the state flag. The yellow lightning flash conveys the agility and responsiveness of the command and crew.
The Crest:
The wreath adopts the first-named metal and color from the shield and blazon. The American bald eagle upon a granite mound is a symbol of liberty, steadfastness, agility and the ability to strike at a moment's notice, characterizing the highly maneuverable capabilities of the littoral combat ship USS SANTA BARBARA. The two stars signify the two previous ships of the same namesake. The first USS SANTA BARBARA (ID 4522) was a steel freighter built during 1916, serving from 1918 until 1919. After World War I, she was returned to her owner and later renamed as the AMERICAN. She was ultimately sunk off the coast of British Honduras by German submarine torpedoes on 11 June 1942. The second USS SANTA BARBARA (AE 28) was a KILAUEA - class ammunition ship, commissioned on 11 July 1970, and was redesignated T-AE 28 upon her transfer to the Military Sealift Command, Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force on 30 September 1998. She was struck from the Naval Register on 3 August 2005. The red sunburst emanating eight lightning bolts symbolizes seismic activity, floods, droughts, fires and foreign attacks to characterize overcoming these monumental setbacks.
back to top go to the end of the pageUSS SANTA BARBARA Image Gallery:
The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show USS SANTA BARBARA at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on October 3, 2023.
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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show USS SANTA BARBARA at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on November 12, 2023.
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The photo below was taken by me and shows USS SANTA BARBARA at Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on July 26, 2024.
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The photos below were taken by Michael Jenning and show USS SANTA BARBARA departing Naval Base San Diego, Calif., on October 15, 2024.
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