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USS Louisville returns from Operation Iraqi Freedom

COMSUBPAC News Release

May 07, 2003

By JOC(SW/AW) David Rush, COMSUBPAC Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, HI--The Sailors of USS Louisville (SSN 724) are returning to their homeport of Pearl Harbor May 13 following an eight-month deployment, participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

During Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm Louisville made naval history by firing the first submarine-launched Tomahawk cruise missile in war. To accomplish this Louisville conducted a 14,000-mile submerged, high speed transit across the Pacific and Indian Oceans to the Red Sea and fired shortly after noon on Jan. 19, 1991. For exceptionally meritorious service from Jan. 17, 1991 to Feb. 28, 1991 during Operation Desert Storm, Louisville was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation.

While on a routine, six-month deployment in the Seventh Fleet area of operations, Louisville was dispatched to the Fifth Fleet operating area and was once again called to action, this time for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The submarine can launch the sophisticated Mark 48 and ADCAP torpedoes, Tomahawk land attack missiles, and naval mines. USS Louisville's missions include locating and destroying submarines and surface ships, reconnaissance, land strike, and special warfare operations.

USS Louisville was commissioned on Nov. 8, 1986 at the Naval Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut. The 35th nuclear powered attack submarine of the Los Angeles (SSN 688) class design, Louisville is one of the most advanced attack submarines in the world.

Displacing more than 6,900 tons, the 360-foot submarine can reach speeds in excess of 25 knots and attain depths of more than 800 feet. Nuclear propulsion gives her virtually unlimited endurance through any ocean in the world.

USS Louisville's stealth, endurance, mobility and firepower make her a formidable force in a wide range of mission roles. Louisville's commanding officer is Cmdr. Michael Jabaley, a native of Jackson, Mississippi.

In addition to family members welcoming home their Sailors, representatives from Louisville, Kentucky are slated to be on the pier to provide Louisville Slugger baseball bats to all crewmembers, and will also present a Civil War era Kentucky Long Rifle to the commanding officer and crew.

Additionally, each month the Regional Commander selects an area for designation (Area of the Month) and awards a cash amount of $35,000. The NSSC Submarine Piers Area has won the first two awards for a total of $70,000 which will be used for quality of life/service projects in the Submarine Piers Area.