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USS Los Angeles Deploys

COMSUBPAC Press Release

Feb. 12, 2003

PEARL HARBOR, HI--USS Los Angeles (SSN 688) left for a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific on Feb. 11 to conduct missions in support of the Global War on Terrorism or possible contingencies elsewhere in the world.

Cmdr. Christopher Thomas, USS Los Angeles commanding officer, said this is the first six-month deployment Los Angeles will perform since Sept. 11, 2001.

"As we all know the world has changed significantly since 9/11," Thomas said. "The crew has dedicated themselves to the mission in light of the war on terrorism. "Obviously we are also interested in the continuing engagement with our allies and look forward to working with them extensively," he added.

USS Los Angeles was commissioned on Nov. 13, 1976 and is the lead ship of its class as it marks the standard attack submarine configuration. The submarine is equipped with the most advanced sonar and fire control systems in the Pacific fleet.

"The crew has worked very hard over the last year to prepare for deployment," Thomas said. "We've had a tremendous amount of training and some very realistic, scenario-driven training to exercise the ship in a variety of difficult, stressful situations to ensure the crew is ready for any tasking."

Thomas also said that he hopes the crew will see a few good liberty ports as well along the way.

"Every Sailor onboard Los Angeles is a U.S. ambassador to the world," he said. "We are looking forward to going out and seeing other cultures and participating in those cultures. I think each one of us grows tremendously when we have the opportunity to learn about the rest of the world."