By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Charlotte (SSN 766) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a scheduled deployment to the Western Pacific region Dec. 1.
"Charlotte's material condition is outstanding, thanks largely in part to the crew's efforts and hard work over the last six months to ensure the submarine is ready to accomplish its mission," said Cmdr. Richard Young, Charlotte's commanding officer. "The crew is extremely excited. When you work and train as hard as they have to prepare for an extended deployment away from your homeport, there is a certain amount of satisfaction to be finally complete with the preparation phase and beginning the execution phase."
Los Angeles–class submarines are flexible platforms that can be called upon to conduct a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, strike warfare, special operations, irregular warfare, strike group operations and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
The nuclear-powered attack submarine Charlotte is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to bear the name. The submarine was commissioned Sept. 16, 1994, in Norfolk and arrived at its new homeport, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Nov. 17, 1995.