Exploring the Oldest US Navy Ships Over 35 Years in Service

Because the United States Navy operates one of the most advanced fleets in the world, many assume the only craft employed are brand new, representing state-of-the-art technology. However, some of its most reliable vessels have been in service for decades. While warships are often associated with cutting-edge technology and constant upgrades, a handful of Navy ships have surpassed the 35-year service mark. Despite their age, these vessels continue to be important to U.S. Navy strategy long after their commissioning.

These long-serving ships are a testament to their original design, alongside our ability to adapt older platforms for modern missions. These ships include a range of designs, from command-and-control vessels to specialized support ships. This article explores the oldest U.S. Navy ships still in service. We take a look at how they’ve remained operational and why they continue to matter in today’s military pursuits.

To determine America’s oldest warships, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the Naval Vessel Register directory of commissioned ships in the U.S. and cross-referenced with data from the World Directory of Modern Military Warships regarding the class or type of each warship. We compiled data on all ships and submarines commissioned in the U.S. Navy service for 35 years or more and ranked them by age. We’ve left Old Ironsides off our list since the ship is retired from active service (yet was never decommissioned.)

This post was updated on January 9, 2026 to provide an overview of older ships in the U.S. Navy.

Why Are We Covering This?

Knowing the ships and submarines that will enter the U.S. Navy is important for understanding the state of national security in the United States. The Navy is primarily used by the United States to project power across vast distances and maintain a secure balance within the global community.

Here is a look at the oldest ships in the U.S. Navy:

28. USS Newport News (SSN-750)

USS Newport News (SSN 750) arr... (CC BY 2.0) by Official U.S. Navy Page

• Commission date: June 3, 1989
• Type: Attack submarine
• Class: Los Angeles-class

27. USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44)

• Commission date: April 22, 1989
• Type: Dock landing ship
• Class: Whidbey Island-class

26. USS Philippine Sea (CG-58)

USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) tra... (CC BY 2.0) by Official U.S. Navy Page

• Commission date: March 18, 1989
• Type: Cruiser
• Class: Ticonderoga-class

25. USS Pasadena (SSN-752)

USS Pasadena (SSN 752) transit... (CC BY 2.0) by Official U.S. Navy Page

• Commission date: February 11, 1989
• Type: Attack submarine
• Class: Los Angeles-class

24. USS Princeton (CG-59)

USS Princeton (CG-59) (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Tomu00e1s Del Coro

• Commission date: February 11, 1989
• Type: Cruiser
• Class: Ticonderoga-class

23. USS Tennessee (SSBN-734)

USS Tennessee (SSBN 734) retur... (CC BY 2.0) by Official U.S. Navy Page

• Commission date: December 17, 1988
• Type: Ballistic missile submarine
• Class: Ohio-class

22. USS San Juan (SSN-751)

USS San Juan (SSN 751) arrives... (CC BY 2.0) by Official U.S. Navy Page

• Commission date: August 6, 1988
• Type: Attack submarine
• Class: Los Angeles-class

21. USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55)

• Commission date: September 26, 1987
• Type: Cruiser
• Class: Ticonderoga-class

20. USS Key West (SSN-722)

USS Key West (SSN 722) returns... (CC BY 2.0) by Official U.S. Navy Page

• Commission date: September 12, 1987
• Type: Attack submarine
• Class: Los Angeles-class

19. USS Helena (SSN-725)

Sailors cross the brow of USS ... (CC BY 2.0) by Official U.S. Navy Page

• Commission date: July 11, 1987
• Type: Attack submarine
• Class: Los Angeles-class

18. USS Antietam (CG-54)

• Commission date: June 6, 1987
• Type: Cruiser
• Class: Ticonderoga-class

17. USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)

• Commission date: October 25, 1986
• Type: Aircraft carrier
• Class: Nimitz-class

16. USS Nevada (SSBN-733)

• Commission date: August 16, 1986
• Type: Ballistic missile submarine
• Class: Ohio-class

15. USS Germantown (LSD-42)

• Commission date: February 8, 1986
• Type: Dock landing ship
• Class: Whidbey Island-class

14. USS Alaska (SSBN-732)

• Commission date: January 25, 1986
• Type: Ballistic missile submarine
• Class: Ohio-class

13. USS Alabama (SSBN-731)

• Commission date: May 25, 1985
• Type: Ballistic missile submarine
• Class: Ohio-class

12. USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN-730)

USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN 730... (CC BY 2.0) by Official U.S. Navy Page

• Commission date: October 6, 1984
• Type: Ballistic missile submarine
• Class: Ohio-class

11. USS Georgia (SSGN-729)

• Commission date: February 11, 1984
• Type: Guided missile submarine
• Class: Ohio-class

10. USS Florida (SSGN-728)

• Commission date: June 18, 1983
• Type: Guided missile submarine
• Class: Ohio-class

9. USS Michigan (SSGN-727)

• Commission date: September 11, 1982
• Type: Guided missile submarine
• Class: Ohio-class

8. USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)

• Commission date: March 13, 1982
• Type: Aircraft carrier
• Class: Nimitz-class

7. USS Ohio (SSGN-726)

Marines assemble a combat rubb... (CC BY 2.0) by Official U.S. Navy Page

• Commission date: November 11, 1981
• Type: Guided missile submarine
• Class: Ohio-class

6. USS Frank Cable (AS-40)

USS Frank Cable (AS 40) (CC BY 2.0) by Military Sealift Command

• Commission date: October 29, 1979
• Type: Submarine tender
• Class: Emory S. Land-class

5. USS Emory S. Land (AS-39)

• Commission date: July 7, 1979
• Type: Submarine tender
• Class: Emory S. Land-class

4. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)

• Commission date: October 18, 1977
• Type: Aircraft carrier
• Class: Nimitz-class

3. USS Nimitz (CVN-68)

• Commission date: May 3, 1975
• Type: Aircraft carrier
• Class: Nimitz-class

2. USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20)

• Commission date: January 16, 1971
• Type: Amphibious command ship
• Class: Blue Ridge-class

1. USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19)

• Commission date: November 14, 1970
• Type: Amphibious command ship
• Class: Blue Ridge-class