Friends and families of Sailors aboard the Los Angeles-class, fast-attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) welcomed home the submarine’s crew Dec. 15, following a six-month deployment to the western Pacific.
The deployment supported the nation’s maritime strategy, which includes maritime security, forward presence, sea control, and power projection. During the deployment, which covered more than 40,000 nautical miles, Albuquerque executed missions vital to national security and participated in major naval exercises. The ship’s port visits included Brisbane, Australia; Yokosuka, Japan; and Guam.
Albuquerque, in conjunction with other ships from the U.S., Australian, and Canadian navies, took part in a multinational and multi-service exercise known as Talisman Sabre, which displayed the latest capabilities of the U.S submarine force and reemphasized the cooperation necessary for the success of regional security. Albuquerque also took part in a similar exercise with Japan, reinforcing the U.S. Navy’s credible presence in the region.
Albuquerque’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Chris Cavanaugh , is particularly proud of how the crew prepared for and executed the deployment. “I consider every man on my crew a national treasure,” he said. “They operated the ship superbly in the most challenging environments throughout the western Pacific and kept the ship performing at max capability to allow Albuquerque to accomplish all missions. They also represented the U.S. impeccably during the foreign port visits,” he said.
Albuquerque was commissioned May 21, 1983. Measuring more than 360 feet long and displacing more than 6,900 tons, Albuquerque has a crew of nearly 140 Sailors. Albuquerque is capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, surveillance, and reconnaissance. She is one of six Los Angeles-class submarines homeported in San Diego.
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Naval Today Staff , December 19, 2011; Image: navy