USS Albany Returns to Naval Station Norfolk

The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Albany (SSN 753) will return to Naval Station Norfolk from a regularly scheduled deployment on Friday, March 8.

Under the command of Cmdr. David S. Soldow, the submarine is returning from the European Command area of responsibility (EUCOM AOR) where it executed the Chief of Naval Operation’s Maritime Strategy in supporting national security interests and Maritime Security Operations.

“We conducted operations throughout the EUCOM AOR in support of national, theater and fleet objectives,” said Soldow. “Albany’s performance during the deployment supported many of the National Maritime Strategy’s primary objectives, and were in keeping with the Design for Undersea Warfare.”

In addition to meeting all critical operational requirements, the crew of Albany were U.S. ambassadors during their port visits and many of them achieved significant professional goals.

“Albany steamed more than 40,000 nautical miles during the deployment, which is enough to encircle the Earth, and still make four round trips from Norfolk to San Diego,” said Soldow. “We were privileged to have visited Lisbon, Portugal; Haakonsvern, Norway; Faslane, Scotland; and Rota, Spain. We thoroughly enjoyed our times in port and were made welcomed in every country.

“Also, during the deployment, 36 Sailors were awarded their submarine warfare dolphins, 20 were advanced to the next higher rank, 12 reenlisted in the Navy for an additional commitment of more than 60 years of service. The Sailors of Albany are some of the greatest Americans that I have had the privilege of being associated with, Their personal dedication and professional devotion was the foundation of our success, and I could not be any prouder of their accomplishments.”

While the deployment produced many personal and professional highlights, the men of Albany cannot wait to reunite with their families.

“We all are looking forward to seeing and reconnecting with our families and loved ones,” concluded Soldow. “Sometimes we tend to forget that the parents, spouses, and children of the Sailors have just as difficult job to do when we are away. I would like to personally express my appreciation for everything that they did to support us and we are hopeful that we can do the same thing for them now that we are home.”

Fast-attack submarines like Albany have multi-faceted missions. They use their stealth, persistence, agility and firepower to deploy and support special force operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary’s military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity, and ensure undersea superiority.

Albany, whose motto is “Still Making History,” is the fifth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name of New York’s capital city. Built by Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat Division, Albany was commissioned April 7, 1990 as the 43rd nuclear-powered Los Angeles-class submarine. The 360-foot ship was the last one to slide down the incline of the greased wooden shipways at Newport News Shipbuilding. Albany’s crew compliment includes 13 officers and 121 enlisted Sailors.

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Naval Today Staff, March 11, 2013