USS Virginia (SSN 774), the first in a fleet of the US Navy’s next-generation attack submarines, was welcomed home yesterday in Groton, Conn., after a six-month overseas deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
This was the second deployment for Virginia, which headed out to her maiden deployment in 2010. The time at sea in the European region of operations, saw the crew making port calls in Norway, Scotland and England.
The return was not facilitated by the snowy weather, however, having spent a considerable amount of time in the colds of the North Atlatic, Cmdr. Steve Antcliff said that the home-bound journey was an adventure, but that the crew had time to get used to the cold.
Despite the sleet and rain, a warm welcome was given to the 130 Sailors by their family and friends, including six babies, who met their dads for the first time.
The 377-foot-long USS Virginia is equipped with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles. She can perform anti-submarine and anti-ship warfare, deliver and support special forces, and conduct mine delivery and minefield mapping operations.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, February 14, 2014; Image: US Navy