The US Navy’s Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) completed her six-month deployment returning to her homeport at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on August 15.
During the deployment, 29 enlisted sailors and one officer earned their submarine warfare qualification.
“It was amazing to watch this crew pull together through a challenging deployment workup and take on the challenge of sustaining the ramp-up through deployment,” said Cmdr. Jake Foret, Santa Fe’s commanding officer. “I am proud of our crew’s commitment to keeping our boat and teams ready to execute all tasking.”
While deployed, Santa Fe executed two port calls to Yokosuka, Japan and hosted submariners from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) out of Sasebo, Japan for underway training.
“Santa Fe was thankful to expand the U.S. Navy’s partnership with the JMSDF,” said Lt. Cmdr. Rob Edmonson III, Santa Fe’s executive officer. “We welcome any opportunity to work alongside our JMSDF submarine force allies.”
Commissioned on Jan. 8, 1994, Santa Fe is the 52nd ship of the Los Angeles-class and is homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.