USS Key West Deploys
Story Number: NNS030130-12
1/30/2003
From Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- USS Key West (SSN 722) left for a six-month deployment Jan. 24. The Los Angeles-class attack submarine and its crew of 130 men will be conducting missions in support of the global war on terrorism or possible contingencies elsewhere in the world.
Senior Chief Sonar Technician William Crouse and his family of nine are accustomed to saying farewell for deployments. Crouse has 15 years of submarine service under his belt and says preparing for deployments is just another part of his family's routine.
"It is never easy to go, but we are all used to it," said Crouse. "I know that I'm playing an important role onboard the boat, and my entire family contributes to that as well, because they all have to pitch in and help one another when I'm away."
According to Commanding Officer Cmdr. Chuck Merkel, the ship and crew are ready for deployment.
"The crew has done a lot of hard work to prepare for deployment," Merkel said. "We had training periods with the (USS) Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Battle Group and completed exercises with other submarines. The crew has done a wonderful job, and I am really proud of them."
Merkel said he and most of his crew have experienced a taste of what lies ahead in the next six months. In fact, Key West was within the U.S. 5th Fleet operating area when they were notified of the attack against the United States Sept. 11, 2001.
"We were the first ship to arrive off the coast of Pakistan after being notified of the attacks against our country," Merkel said. "We participated in the first 75 days of Operation Enduring Freedom."
"The crew is ready and excited to go out again and complete anything our nation requires," he added.
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