The Virginia-class submarine USS Texas (SSN 775) arrived at its new homeport, Naval Station Pearl Harbor, during an inner-fleet transfer from Groton Submarine Base. The arrival of Texas to Pearl Harbor will mark the second of the Virginia-class subs to be stationed in the Pacific, following the historic arrival of USS Hawaii (SSN 776) in July. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Josh Thompson/Released)By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge, COMSUBPAC Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- USS Texas (SSN 775), the second Virginia-class submarine to be homeported in the Pacific, arrived at Naval Station Pearl Harbor during an inner-fleet transfer from Groton Submarine Base Nov. 23.
"This is a very exciting time for Texas and her crew," said Cmdr. Robert Roncska, commanding officer, USS Texas. "The crew performed above and beyond my expectations and I am very proud that we are here now and in the Aloha spirit."
Measuring 377 feet long, weighing 7,800 tons when submerged and with a complement of more than 130 crew members, Texas is one of the Navy's newest and most technologically sophisticated submarines.
The state-of-the-art submarine is capable of supporting a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, naval special warfare involving special operations forces, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, irregular warfare, and mine warfare.
Texas completed a historic first for the Virginia class last month when it became the first vessel of its class to operate in the arctic region, including time spent on the surface near the North Pole. The ship moored safely to the ice for over 24 hours. Activities on the ice included a very special re-enlistment ceremony for 12 crew members and a pinning ceremony in which one crew member received his submarine warfare qualification dolphins, as well as some down time to play touch football in the five degree weather.
Though the submarine force has continually operated in the dangerous region successfully for over 50 years, this occasion marked the first such venture by one the Navy's newest assets.
Commissioned Sept. 9, 2006, Texas was the second Virginia-class attack submarine constructed and the first submarine to be named after the "Lone Star" state. Two battleships and a cruiser were previously named USS Texas, and three active Los Angeles-class submarines, USS Dallas (SSN 700), USS City of Corpus Christi (SSN 705) and USS Houston (SSN 713) have been named for cities in Texas.
The arrival of Texas to Pearl Harbor will mark the second of the Virginia-class subs to be stationed in the Pacific, following the historic arrival of USS Hawaii (SSN 776) in July. Both vessels are assigned Commander, Submarine Squadron 1.
"It is a great honor to be a part of this historical event," said Electronics Technician 1st Class (SS) Andre Valdez. "I am really looking forward to being stationed here and being part of this submarine force."
Recognizing the importance of the Asia-Pacific region and the increased threat posed by the proliferation of submarines in the Pacific, the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review mandated that 60 percent of the U.S. Navy's submarines be home ported in the Pacific by the end of 2010. With USS Texas' arrival, 31 of the U.S. Navy's 53 fast attack submarines will be home ported in the Pacific, with 18 of those 31 homeported in Pearl Harbor.