Los Angeles-class submarine USS Louisville returns from final deployment

US Navy fast attack submarine USS Louisville (SSN 724) pulled into Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on May 2, marking her final return from an operational deployment.

USS Louisville (SSN 724) arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, May 2, 2019. Photo: US Navy

Louisville is the 35th nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine of the Los Angeles-class design and her deployment in the US 5th and 7th Fleet area of operations marks her last deployment as she prepares for her 2020 decommissioning.

While deployed, Louisville visited ports in the middle East and Asia Pacific and hosted several Royal Thai Navy dignitaries during the bilateral exercise Guardian Sea.

During the deployment, 27 sailors were promoted and 26 sailors and six officers earned their submarine warfare qualification.

“Louisville sailors are some of the finest in the world,” said Cmdr. Robert W. Rose, from Garland, Utah, and Louisville’s commanding officer. “Their hard work, ingenuity, and constant effort kept Louisville ready for every phase of deployment. As commanding officer, it is my absolute privilege to lead this crew in carrying out our nation’s most important tasking.”