USS Boise Returns From Deployment

By Kevin Copeland, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Los Angeles fast-attack submarine USS Boise (SSN 764) returned home to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Dec. 22, from a regularly scheduled six-month deployment, just in time for the holidays.

A crowd of family and friends braved the chilly December air to greet their loved ones, who deployed from Norfolk June 22.

During its deployment, USS Boise conducted operations in the European Command area of responsibility while supporting national security interests and maritime security operations. In executing the chief of naval operation's maritime strategy, Boise further demonstrated the submarine force's great capability in providing global presence.

"We were attached to the European Command, which is supported by the Navy's 6th Fleet," said Cmdr. Brian Sittlow, USS Boise commanding officer. "We were assigned exercises and operations by 6th Fleet. These events were conducted with our NATO partner nations in the waters of the Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea."

Upon returning to its homeport in Norfolk, the submarine will have traveled approximately 23,000 nautical miles. Port visits included Portsmouth, England; Faslane, Scotland; Bergen, Norway; and Brest, France.

"The Boise crew performed terrifically," said Sittlow. "They not only demonstrated safe and expert submarine skills on a daily basis at sea, but they also provided goodwill as terrific ambassadors for the U.S. Navy while enjoying liberty during our port calls throughout Europe. Upon our return home, the crew will be afforded some well-deserved time off to reunite with their friends and families, especially during the joyous holiday season."

Fast-attack submarines like Boise have multi-faceted missions. They use their stealth, persistence, agility and firepower to deploy and support special force operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary's military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity, and ensure undersea superiority.

Nicknamed "A One Ship Fleet," Boise is the second U.S. Navy ship to bear the name of Idaho's capital city. Built by Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics Electric Boat Division, Boise was commissioned, Nov. 7, 1992. The 360-foot ship has a crew compliment of 13 officers and 121 enlisted Sailors.

NNSY Completes USS Boise Availability Early

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Boise (SSN 764) finished her maintenance availability one day early at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Aug. 31, completing the largest modernization package to date on a Los Angeles-class submarine at the shipyard.

Improving performance on submarine availabilities has been a major emphasis of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Commander, Vice Adm. Kevin M. McCoy's "Back to Basics" initiative.

"Back to basics" is about eliminating bottlenecks and optimizing the workday to improve shipyard processes with the goal of completing quality availabilities, on time and on cost.

"Los Angeles-class submarines are the toughest product line we shipyards face," said NNSY Submarine Program Manager, Oliver "Buddy" Bennett. "We have put a lot of effort into improving this area of our business at NNSY."

Additionally, NNSY Lean efforts, designed to improve the quality of work processes, improved the co-location of the project team and facilities for mechanics onboard Boise. Co-location minimizes lost work time due to travel and increases time for productivity on the site. Other NNSY submarine projects benefiting from enhanced co-location include USS Augusta (SSN 710) and the current availability for USS Tennessee (SSBN 734).

"We stayed focused doing the right things at the right time," said NNSY Project Superintendent Billy Cox. "Our work integration team did an outstanding job integrating 23,000 mandays of modernization."

Boise team leaders said the spirit of teamwork was essential during the project, which drew on personnel from Norfolk Naval Shipyard, ship's force, Alteration Installation Teams, and-as part of the One Shipyard concept-a Portsmouth Naval Shipyard team.

NNSY is one of four NAVSEA public shipyards that play a major role in maintaining America's fleet and providing wartime surge capability to keep the nation's ships ready for combat.