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Friday, April 18, 2008

USS Topeka Returns Home

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Omar A. Dominquez, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific



USS Topeka (SSN 754) returned home to Naval Base Point Loma, April 16, after a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific (WESTPAC).

The Los Angeles-class submarine conducted missions throughout the WESTPAC region. Sailors also enjoyed port visits to Yokosuka and Okinawa, Japan, Guam and the Philippines.

"The crew could not have performed any better," said Cmdr. Marc A. Stern, Topeka's commanding officer. "They rose to the occasion in every mission that we were asked to do."

Family and friends waited on the pier with flags and signs to welcome their Sailors home.

"The deployment was long, but it was very successful," said Davis. "It feels great to be back to see my family. It feels like I won the lottery," said Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SS/FMF) Keith Davis whose wife was waiting to welcome him home.