By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Los Angeles-Class fast-attack nuclear powered submarine USS Pasadena (SSN 752) returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor Dec. 4, following a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific region.
"Pasadena had a very successful deployment and I am very proud of the crew," said Cmdr. Andrew St. John, Pasadena's commanding officer. "After participating in two multi-level exercises and five port visits, they gained a true appreciation for the breadth of operations ongoing in the Pacific and the value the submarine force brings to the fleet commander."
"A major part of this mission is training the junior Sailors and getting them submarine warfare qualified," said St. John. "Out of a crew of 137 Sailors, 38 were making their first deployment and 25 successfully qualified to wear the submarine warfare insignia during this deployment."
Pasadena was commissioned in July 1991 and is the U.S. Navy's second "improved" Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine. Throughout its proud and illustrious 20-year history, Pasadena has deployed to and conducted operations in virtually every part of the Pacific Ocean, from the west coast of North and South America to Australia and the Persian Gulf.