Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Bremerton (SSN 698) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Oct. 29, for a scheduled six-month deployment in the Western Pacific region.
Bremerton’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Kaleb Kerr, commented that the ship is in excellent condition, and the crew is motivated and fully prepared for the demands of a Western Pacific deployment.
“Given the experience, motivation and high level of training of the wardroom and crew, I am confident that the upcoming deployment will be as successful as the 2011 deployment,” said Kerr.
Kerr said of the 135 highly skilled crew members, this will be the first deployment for 37 members. In addition to fully accomplishing all missions assigned by the operational commander, the submarine’s specific goals include returning from deployment with all current crew members qualified in submarines and many additional advanced qualifications.
For the past year between deployments, the crew has performed brilliantly meeting each critical milestone on time and ahead of schedule.
Kerr said the ship returned from a very successful Central Command and Western Pacific deployment in October 2011 and was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation by the Secretary of the Navy.
“I’m pretty excited to go, been at school for a while, and actually being able to go somewhere is kind of nice,” said Electronics Technician Seaman Apprentice Douglas Backlini .
Commissioned in March 1981, Bremerton is named in honor of the city of Bremerton, Wash. She is the tenth ship of the Los Angeles-class of nuclear attack submarines, is 360-feet long and displaces 6,900 tons. She can be fitted with Mk-48 torpedoes and harpoon missiles.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, October 31, 2012