US Navy’s Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Helena (SSN 725) returned to its homeport at Naval Station Norfolk from a deployment May 15.
Under the command of Cmdr. Jeffrey E. Lamphear, the submarine returned from the U.S. European Command and U.S. Central Command areas of responsibility, where the crew executed the chief of naval operation’s maritime strategy in conducting maritime security operations supporting national security interests.
During the deployment Helena steamed more than 38,500 nautical miles in conducting multiple missions vital to national security. In between taskings, they were able to conduct port visits in Bahrain; Gibraltar; Aksaz, Turkey; Jebel Ali, United Arab Emirates; and Souda Bay, Crete.
Fast-attack submarines like USS Helena are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities – sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence.
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Image: US Navy