The US Navy’s nuclear-powered Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Jacksonville (SSN 699) returned from her final deployment before she retires.
Sailors assigned to the submarine returned to their homeport at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on August 10, following the successful completion of the submarine’s 15th deployment to the Western Pacific.
Jacksonville and her crew steamed more than 48,000 nautical miles while conducting maritime security operations and joint exercises with the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and Indian navies.
“The crew performed superbly throughout the whole deployment,” said Cmdr. Steven Faulk, commanding officer, USS Jacksonville. “They represent the finest of what our country has to offer.”
While deployed, 33 submariners earned their qualification to wear the submarine warfare device, and 16 Sailors were advanced in paygrade. The crew also conducted various port calls to Bahrain, Guam, Oman, and Singapore.
“Everyone aboard performed their duties exceptionally well,” said Master Chief Electronics Technician (Submarine) Kevin Rollert, Jacksonville’s chief of the boat. “Being deployed for eight months is challenging, and the crew stepped up to the challenge and executed perfectly.
Rollert added, the crew was a tremendous asset to the operational commander, and everyone gained important experiences during the 209 days out at sea.
Commissioned May 16, 1981, USS Jacksonville is named after Jacksonville, the largest and most populous city in Florida, and is the first ship to bear the name.
Jacksonville is set to start her distmantling process this year with the inactivation set for 2018.