USS North Carolina Pays Visit to Singapore

The Virginia-class, fast-attack submarine USS North Carolina (SSN 777) arrived in Singapore Apr. 26 for a routine visit as part of its second deployment to the Western Pacific.

With a crew of 145, North Carolina will conduct a multitude of missions and showcase the latest capabilities of the submarine fleet.

“The crew of the North Carolina has worked hard this deployment to accomplish its many missions,” said Cmdr. Richard Rhinehart, North Carolina’s commanding officer. “Everyone is excited to have the opportunity to visit Singapore and enjoy a little bit of liberty ashore.”

North Carolina is the fourth submarine in the Virginia-class, the Navy’s newest class of submarine and the first ship designed for the post Cold-War environment. It is designed to operate with stealth, agility and endurance in the world’s littoral regions, as well as the deep oceans. Designed to accomplish a wide variety of missions as required per its operational commanders, the crew recently completed a rigorous training and evaluation cycle to prepare for the full range of possible tasking in the region.

“We have a motivated and energetic crew onboard the North Carolina,” Said Chief of the Boat, Command Master Chief Petty Officer J.R. O’Donnell. “They have been highly dedicated to our mission success. Visiting Singapore is a well deserved and earned liberty port for the crew. This is the perfect place for them to relax and take in the local culture. Many of the Sailors have family coming to visit during our stay.”

For many of the crew members, this is not only their first deployment, but also their first time visiting Singapore.

“I’m looking forward to spending time relaxing and touring the city of Singapore,” said Culinary Specialist Seaman Apprentice Joshua Patterson. “I’ve heard nothing but great things about it from everyone who has been there.”

Measuring more than 350 feet long and weighing more than 7,800 tons when submerged, North Carolina is one of the stealthiest and most advanced submarines in the world. North Carolina brings to the region the capability to conduct the full spectrum of potential submarine missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and mine warfare.

North Carolina is home ported Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and was commissioned in 2008. This is the boat’s second deployment to the region in the last three years.

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Press Release, April 28, 2014; Image: US Navy