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Toledo Returns Home from Wartime Patrol

USMC News

Story Number: NNS030417-07
Release Date: 4/17/2003 2:01:00 AM

From Naval Submarine Base New London Public Affairs

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769) returned to Naval Submarine Base (SUBASE) New London April 15 from a rapid response wartime patrol in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Deployed to the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, Toledo conducted strike operations into Iraq, launching several Tomahawk cruise missiles during the patrol.

While several other Groton based submarines remain deployed in support of the war effort, Toledo is the first submarine to return home after actively participating in combat action.

The submarine and her crew of 134 Sailors departed Groton Feb. 10, after receiving initial deployment orders and rapidly completing all anticipated combat patrol preparations.

"Our ability to deploy on short notice was all made possible by a tremendous team effort. The ship's high state of material readiness, the crew's extensive training, and the excellent support of the squadrons ensured our underway preparations were seamless," said Cmdr. Michael T. Poirier, Toledo's commanding officer.

His high regard for the crew and support facilities at SUBASE could only be exceeded by his delight about his homecoming.

"It's a tremendous feeling to be home," said Poirier. "Every member of this crew got to return home safely. Our thoughts and prayers are with our service men and women still in harms way, and with the families that await their safe return."

With stealth, endurance, mobility and agility, fast-attack submarines like Toledo are multimission capable - able to deploy and support special forces operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary's military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity and ensure undersea superiority.

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, naval units launched more than 800 cruise missiles into Iraq, and the submarine force accounted for one-third of those launches. The Toledo's armaments include Tomahawk cruise missiles -- long-range subsonic cruise missiles -- for striking high value or heavily defended land targets. They have a range of 1,000 miles and travel at 550 miles per hour.