PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Friends and families of the crew from USS Olympia (SSN 717) gathered at the submarine piers at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to say goodbye as the Los Angeles-class submarine departed for a scheduled Western Pacific (WESTPAC) deployment, Aug. 8.
"We have been preparing for this deployment for over 18 months, so the crew is eager to put the countless hours of training and hard work into action," said Cmdr. Michael Boone, USS Olympia commanding officer. "It will be a demanding six months, but Olympia is ready and willing to take on any challenge that is presented to us."
Since returning from her last Western Pacific deployment in 2010, Olympia finished undergoing deperming, the first submarine to complete this treatment at the new drive-in submarine magnetic silencing facility, Dec. 15, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam's Beckoning Point. She has also undergone maintenance and her crew has conducted training in preparation for this deployment.
"Like any deployment workup, we have encountered some unexpected things but we remained on track and haven't lost focus on our mission," said Boone. "Our deployment goals are to successfully complete the assigned tasking given to us, take care of the crew to ensure morale stays high, have the opportunity to see new places and most importantly of all, return home safely."
With a crew size of 141, this will be the first time deploying for 39 of Olympia's Sailors, according to Boone. This will be the first deployment for Electronics Technician Seaman Apprentice Christopher Cummings from Ada, Okla. and who has been in the Navy for one year.
"I am really excited to be deploying. I have been looking forward to this day since I checked onboard Olympia," said Cummings. "My goal is to further my training and become submarine qualified and I am also excited about traveling the world and seeing new places."
Measuring 362 feet long, weighing 6,130 tons when submerged, Olympia is one of the Navy's most technologically sophisticated submarines.
Olympia is the United States Navy's 104th nuclear-powered submarine and the 95th of the attack submarine fleet. She is the 29th of the Los Angeles-class nuclear powered fast attack submarine to be delivered to the Navy.
Los Angeles-class submarines are ideally suited for covert surveillance, intelligence gathering and Special Forces missions. This stealth, when combined with the submarine's Tomahawk cruise missiles, mines and torpedoes, provides the operational commander with an unseen force multiplier.
Showing posts with label USS Olympia SSN-717. Show all posts
Showing posts with label USS Olympia SSN-717. Show all posts
Friday, August 10, 2012
Sunday, December 19, 2010
USS Olympia Returns Following Pacific Deployment
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Olympia (SSN 717) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Dec. 17, after completing a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific region in support of 7th Fleet operations.
"After a four-year refueling overhaul, the crew of Olympia was eager to get their submarine back overseas into the Western Pacific area of operations," said Cmdr. Mike Coughlin, USS Olympia commanding officer.
Olympia conducted a variety of operations and several training exercises throughout the deployment, contributing to the nation's strategic posture in the region. Olympia also strengthened relationships with Japan during several engagements with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force submarine, JDS Takashio (SS 587).
During the deployment, 28 new enlisted submariners became submarine qualified and are now entitled to wear the enlisted submarine warfare insignia. A majority of the crew also completed advanced qualifications, including Engineering Watch Supervisor, Diving Officer of the Watch and Chief of the Watch. These qualifications provide greater watch bill flexibility and helped ensure that Olympia's performance will remain strong.
"With about 60 percent of the crew making their first Western Pacific deployment, invaluable training and experience was obtained," said Coughlin.
With more than 32,000 nautical miles steamed and aside from the challenging operations, the crew made several port visits which included Sasebo and Yokosuka, Japan, throughout their six months away from Pearl Harbor.
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Olympia (SSN 717) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Dec. 17, after completing a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific region in support of 7th Fleet operations.
"After a four-year refueling overhaul, the crew of Olympia was eager to get their submarine back overseas into the Western Pacific area of operations," said Cmdr. Mike Coughlin, USS Olympia commanding officer.
Olympia conducted a variety of operations and several training exercises throughout the deployment, contributing to the nation's strategic posture in the region. Olympia also strengthened relationships with Japan during several engagements with the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force submarine, JDS Takashio (SS 587).
During the deployment, 28 new enlisted submariners became submarine qualified and are now entitled to wear the enlisted submarine warfare insignia. A majority of the crew also completed advanced qualifications, including Engineering Watch Supervisor, Diving Officer of the Watch and Chief of the Watch. These qualifications provide greater watch bill flexibility and helped ensure that Olympia's performance will remain strong.
"With about 60 percent of the crew making their first Western Pacific deployment, invaluable training and experience was obtained," said Coughlin.
With more than 32,000 nautical miles steamed and aside from the challenging operations, the crew made several port visits which included Sasebo and Yokosuka, Japan, throughout their six months away from Pearl Harbor.
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