USS Columbus Conducts Western Pacific Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Friends and families of the USS Columbus (SSN 762) crew gathered at the submarine piers at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to say goodbye as the Los Angeles-class submarine departed for a Western Pacific deployment, Feb. 22.

"The submarine is in outstanding material condition thanks to the recent installation of the most modern combat system and the hard work of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard," said Cmdr. David Youtt, Columbus commanding officer. "Columbus is in better condition than when it was delivered to the fleet in 1994."

Since undergoing an extended shipyard period in 2009 and returning from her last deployment in June 2010, Columbus has undergone several maintenance upgrades and conducted training in preparation for this deployment.

"We are scheduled to conduct a Western Pacific deployment, however, Columbus is capable and ready to execute missions anywhere in the world," said Youtt. "We will be deploying with more than 130 Sailors and officers, and they are excited and enthusiastic to execute the tasking that they were trained for and the ship was designed to do."

With Sailors transferring to and from Columbus since returning from their last deployment, a large portion of the crew has never deployed, according to Youtt. Electronics Technician 3rd Class Kyle Lightell, who reported aboard Columbus September 2011, is really looking forward to getting underway since this will be his first deployment.

"I have done quite a bit of training and preparation for this deployment, and on that note, I cannot wait to further my knowledge by actually being able to get the hands-on experience doing my job at sea," said Lightell. "Also, I am excited about visiting different places during our port visits and experiencing their cultures and way of life."

Columbus is the fifty-first Los Angeles-class submarine and the twelfth improved version of this class, which includes a vertical launch system for Tomahawk cruise missiles and an improved hull design for under-ice operations. She completed a post shipyard availability in June 1994 in Groton, Conn., after initial construction and shakedown operations. In September 1994, the ship conducted an inter-fleet transfer to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, and joined the U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Force.

USS Columbus Returns to Pearl Harbor

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 Columbus (SSN 762) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam May 28, following a six-month deployment to the western Pacific region.

"This was an incredibly successful deployment with every mission accomplished superbly." said Cmdr. Dave Minyard, commanding officer, Columbus. "The crew's performance was outstanding and they executed exactly as trained."

"This deployment was challenging from beginning to end," said Lt. Cmdr. Robert Hill, executive officer, Columbus. "I am extremely proud of the professionalism the crew demonstrated while conducting missions."

Columbus is the 51st Los Angeles-class submarine and the 12th improved version of this class, which includes a vertical launch system for Tomahawk cruise missiles and an improved hull design for under-ice operations. The ship completed a post shipyard availability in June 1994 in Groton, Conn. after initial construction and shakedown operations. In September 1994, the ship conducted an interfleet transfer to Pearl Harbor and joined the U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Force.

USS Columbus Departs for WestPac Deployment

The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Columbus (SSN 762) departs Naval Station Pearl Harbor for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge, COMSUBPAC Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class submarine USS Columbus (SSN 762) departed Naval Station Pearl Harbor for a scheduled deployment to the western Pacific region Nov. 24.

"The crew is very excited and eager to get underway," said Cmdr. David Minyard, USS Columbus commanding officer. "They've all worked extremely hard getting this ship and themselves ready for this deployment. I am very proud of each and every one of them."

Columbus is the 51st Los Angeles-class submarine and the 12th improved version of this class, which includes a vertical launch system for Tomahawk cruise missiles and an improved hull design for under-ice operations. She completed a post shipyard availability in June 1994 in Groton, Conn. after initial construction and shakedown operations. In September 1994, the ship conducted an interfleet transfer to Pearl Harbor and joined the U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Force.

USS Columbus Returns to Pearl Harbor

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Cynthia Clark, Commander, Submarine Force Pacific Public Affairs

USS Columbus (SSN 762) returned to Pearl Harbor Naval Station Sept. 11 following a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific.

As he greeted his family, fellow submariners and other guests, Cmdr. James Doody, Columbus commanding officer took a moment to reflect on the seven year anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

"We had a great deployment," said Doody. "I think it's especially nice to be able to come home on 9/11, so we can come home and not only see the people we did this for, but the reason why we do it."

As Columbus' more than 130 officers and Sailors were reunited with family and friends, Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SS) Jared Redmile reflected on the deployment.

"It was exciting," Redmile said. "It was something I was glad I got to do, a great life experience, but nothing beats coming home."

Columbus departed Pearl Harbor in March for a regularly scheduled six-month deployment, during which they supported theater security cooperation efforts and conducted port visits to Guam, Okinawa, Japan and Sasebo, Japan.

Columbus joined the U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Force in September 1994.

USS Columbus Departs for Western Pacific

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) Cynthia Clark, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs


PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- USS Columbus (SSN 762) departed Pearl Harbor Naval Station for her first Western Pacific deployment in four years, March 11.

Cmdr. James Doody, Columbus' commanding officer, said his crew is eager to deploy after their overhaul period. Columbus returned to Pearl Harbor in December 2006 after spending two years at Submarine Base Bangor, Wash.

"The mood is pretty upbeat and everybody's pretty excited to get out there and do what we have to do," said Doody. "Especially since a lot of people have done a lot of work not only to maintain the ship while it was in the shipyard, but to do all the operational preparation that it's going to take for us to be successful."

Machinist Mate Fireman Robert Bresley, a recent check-in on board Columbus, agreed with his captain.

"I just got here last week," he said. "I'm very excited and I'm all packed up and ready to go on my first deployment."

Columbus is heading to the Western Pacific, where according to Doody, they will be conducting the "traditional" intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations and also will be ready to participate in any operation called upon by commander, 7th Fleet operational commander.

Columbus is the 51st of the Los Angeles attack submarines and the 12th "improved" version of this class, which includes a Tomahawk cruise missile vertical launch system and an improved hull design for under-ice operations. Columbus has been homeported in Pearl Harbor since 1994.