U.S. Navy’s fast attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782) returned from her maiden deployment to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, on September 1.
One of Block II boats which were built in four rather than ten hull sections, USS Mississippi is the fourth and newest Virginia-class fast attack submarine to be homeported in Pearl Harbor.
During the six-month deployment, Mississippi conducted exercises and operations with other navies in the Western Pacific. Additionally, 19 sailors earned their submarine warfare qualification and 19 sailors advanced in rank.
While deployed, the Mississippi visited the port of Busan, Korea. Sailors volunteered their time alongside allies in the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy at a local orphanage.
“The officers, sailors, and the entire ship executed this deployment exceptionally well,” said Cmdr. Eric Rozek , Mississippi’s commanding officer. “Although the majority of the crew had never deployed, the maiden deployment was a tremendous success.”
USS Mississippi was laid down in June 2010 and launched in December 2011. The boat was finally commissioned in June 2012.