GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- USS Annapolis (SSN 760) returned home to Naval Submarine Base New London Feb. 28 after a regularly scheduled six-month deployment.
Annapolis completed a wide range of joint requirements supporting national security in the U.S. European Commands' area of responsibility, including playing a vital role in African Partnership Station (APS) 2007.
APS 2007 was a U.S. Naval Forces Europe-led initiative to enhance cooperative partnerships with regional maritime services in West and Central Africa.
"It was a unique experience, not only to host VIPs from countries in West Central Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, but to be the first submarine involved with the Africa Partnership Station," said Lt. Cmdr. Matthew Miller, executive officer of Annapolis. "We consider it an honor to be on the leading edge of submarine operations in support of maritime safety and security."
Annapolis' crew served as ambassadors for the U.S. Navy during port visits to Rota, Spain; Toulon and Brest, France; Praia, Cape Verde; and Ghana. The Cape Verde visit marked the first visit to Africa outside the Mediterranean by a U.S. submarine.
"We were very excited to be the first U.S. sub to visit that region," said Cmdr. Dennis Mckelvey, commanding officer of Annapolis. "The reaction from our hosts clearly showed how this is yet another example of the international community collaborating in creative ways to achieve common goals such as improved maritime safety and security."
With stealth, persistence, agility and firepower, fast-attack submarines like Annapolis are multi-mission capable, able 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.