Submarine Missouri Reaches First Major Milestone
The Virginia-class attack submarine USS Missouri (SSN 780) reached her first major milestone Sept. 27, during her keel authentication ceremony held at the General Dynamics Electric Boat facility in North Kingstown. Caesar S. DeSanto Sr. welded the initials of Rebecca W. Gates onto a plate of steel to symbolize the authentication of the keel. Gates, the wife of Secretary of Defense, Robert M. Gates, is the sponsor for Missouri, the seventh Virginia-class submarine to join the fleet. U.S. Rep.
USS Norfolk Deploys
The Los Angeles class fast-attack submarine USS Norfolk (SSN 714) departed Naval Station Norfolk's Pier 3 Dec. 28, beginning a regularly scheduled six-month independent deployment. Norfolk will deploy to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Cmdr. Troy Jackson, Norfolk's commanding officer, said his crew is ready for every mission they are given. "The crew is fired up and ready to go," said Jackson. "They've worked very hard over the past several months. They've put in a lot of hard work and effort. We've also received a lot of support from our parent squadron (Commander Submarine Squadron 6), our maintenance organization, and we also received a lot of support during our recent stay in Groton. Norfolk is deploying independently, without a carrier or expeditionary strike group.
USS Georgia (SSGN 729) Delivered
The Ohio class guided missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729) rests pierside at Naval Station Norfolk. Georgia made a brief stop at NS Norfolk while conducting sea trials after leaving Norfolk Naval Shipyards November 29, 2007, following the ship's conversion from a ballistic missile to a guided missile submarine. Georgia is the last of four submarines to be converted to SSGN. U.S. submarines (SSGN), successfully completed sea trials Dec. 11. rejoined the fleet yesterday. (SSBNs). full set of sea trials," said SSGN Program Manager Capt. Mark Bock.
Navy Ship Provides Assistance to Disabled Cargo Ship
A Landing Craft Utility (LCU) 1661, assigned to Assault Craft Unit Two (ACU-2) approaches the port beam of the distressed motor vessel Al Manara as a MH-60S Seahawk helicopter pass overhead. Nassau supplied the ship with 10 days of food and water using LCUs and Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC) while the ship waited for a tugboat to pull it into port. Nassau is deployed as the flag ship for Expeditionary Strike Group Eight (ESG-8) supporting maritime security operations (MSO) in the 5th Fleet area of operations. MSO seek to preserve the free and secure use of the world's oceans by legitimate mariners and prevent terrorists from attempting to use the maritime environment as a venue for attack or as a medium to transport personnel, weapons or other material that could support their efforts.
