US Navy’s Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Houston (SSN 713) returned to Pearl Harbor from the final scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific Region, Oct. 28.
Steaming more than 35,000 nautical miles, Houston conducted a variety of operations vital to national security and bilateral exercises in support of U.S. 7th Fleet Theater Security Cooperation goals. Houston’s crew conducted five port calls conducting community relations activity and engaging with foreign navy counterparts.
During the deployment, 16 enlisted submariners and 3 officers became submarine qualified and are now entitled to wear the submarine warfare insignia, or dolphins. Houston Sailors also advanced in rank at a rate 20 percent higher than the Navy average, including four new chief petty officers.
Houston is the fourth U.S. Navy vessel named in honor of the city of Houston, Texas. She is a Los Angeles-class submarine displacing 6,900 tons. She can be fitted with Mk-48 torpedoes and Tomahawk missiles.
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Image: US Navy