Rear Adm. Rick Breckenridge, Commander Submarine Group Two welcomed the crew of the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Pasadena (SSN 752) who travelled more than 7,000 miles from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to begin their extended maintenance overhaul at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Sept. 2.
Breckenridge and the Group Two staff provided a warm welcome to the Pacific-based submarine as she casted her lines and moored to Naval Submarine Base New London.
“Pasadena’s transfer to the Atlantic Fleet for modernization is indicative of the commitment of our naval leadership and the measures we take to maintain US superiority in the undersea domain,” said Breckenridge.
Pasadena travelled from Pearl Harbor to Groton via the Panama Canal. After their brief stop at Naval Submarine Base New London, the submarine will depart for Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to conduct an extended overhaul.
In addition to the arrival of the Pasadena’s crew their family members are also in the midst of a homeport change.
“We are excited about the arrival of Pasadena family members to New England and eagerly welcome them as part of our Submarine Group Two family,” the admiral said.
During her overhaul Pasadena will receive extensive modernization and the installation of the latest fire control, sonar and navigation equipment.
“When she completes her maintenance overhaul, Pasadena will be one of the most capable modern warships in our fleet,” said Breckenridge.
Prior to her overhaul, Pasadena has earned repeated accolades and awards. Among these awards are the Tactical “T,” the Engineering “E,” the Navigation “N,” the Deck Seamanship “D,” the Damage Control “DC,” the Medical “M,” the Battle Efficiency “E,” the Navy Unit Commendation, the Navy Expeditionary Medal, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. In addition to these prestigious operational accolades, the ship has also earned the COMSUBPAC Golden Anchor Award for retention excellence.
Pasadena is the U.S. Navy’s second “Improved” 688 Class nuclear-powered submarine. Two years after it was commissioned, in July 1991 Pasadena became the first 688I to deploy, commencing its first of many six-month Western Pacific deployments.
[mappress] Source: navy, September 6, 2011;