PNS Hosts Plaque Hanging Ceremony for USS Topeka

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard hosted a plaque hanging ceremony for USS Topeka (SSN 754) recognizing the official start of Topeka’s engineered overhaul in Kittery Jan. 23.

In this time-honored tradition, the ship’s Commanding Officer Cmdr. James Belz joined Shipyard Commander Capt. Bryant Fuller, Topeka Project Superintendent Pete Hall, and Kittery Town Manager Robert Markel in hanging the ship’s plaque in the shipyard’s historic Tirante Tavern.

“Today’s ceremony is just one indication of the outstanding welcome and incredible support the ship has received from the project team and from the community,” said Belz. “We are off to a good start in the overhaul.”

Numerous local representatives from the ship’s host community of Kittery were on hand to welcome the Topeka crew.

The shipyard’s host community program partners a local Seacoast community with a submarine for the duration of the time the ship is at the shipyard. The residents welcome the officers, crew, and families of the ship and include them as part of their community.

The submarine crew enjoys the area’s hospitality and in return, the locals get the opportunity to learn about the Navy’s submarine force while introducing the Sailors and their families to the many treasures found in New England.

“We look forward to a mutually fulfilling relationship with the town of Kittery,” said Belz.

Topeka and its crew of 15 officers and 161 enlisted Sailors arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Dec. 16. While at the shipyard, Topeka is undergoing a major availability consisting of various maintenance projects and system upgrades.

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command, is committed to maximizing the material readiness of the fleet by ensuring every ship is ready to respond to the Navy’s missions.

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Naval Today Staff, January 24, 2013; Image: US Navy