By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Todd A. Schaffer, Commander, Submarine Force Public Affairs
The city of Norfolk's namesake submarine, USS Norfolk (SSN 714) returned to homeport June 28 following a six- month deployment.
Norfolk deployed December 28 independently, meaning they were not part of an expeditionary strike group or with an aircraft carrier. Norfolk deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
Crew members served as ambassadors for the United States Navy during port visits to Rota, Spain; Bahrain; Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates; Aquaba, Jordan; Souda Bay, Crete; and Augusta Bay, Italy.
"This deployment began over a year ago. We had a great start, and the great successes are proof of the hard work of the crew," said Cmdr. Troy Jackson, Norfolk's commanding officer. "We're glad to be back in Norfolk and the Hampton Roads area. For every family on the pier, the homecoming was a joyful reunion after a long six months apart."
Fast-attack submarines like Norfolk are multi-mission capable, using stealth, persistence, agility and firepower to deploy and support special forces operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary's military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity, and ensure undersea superiority.
