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USS Portsmouth Deactivates from Service

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS040913-01
Release Date: 9/13/2004 10:28:00 AM

By Journalist 2nd Class Ricky Allen, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The active service of the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Portsmouth (SSN 707) came to an end during an inactivation ceremony Sept. 10, at Pier 3, on Norfolk Naval Station.

Homported in San Diego, Portsmouth completed its 21-year career with eight extended deployments and three mini-deployments in the Western Pacific theatre of operations. Even at the end, Portsmouth Sailors continued to impress others with their drive and dedication.

"I was greatly impressed by the pride and professionalism of this fine crew as the ship prepared for its final voyage," said Capt. Bruce E. Grooms, commander, Submarine Squadron 6. "They worked diligently to make sure that every detail was completed properly. They were asked to perform a battery of engineering tests prior to its deactivation, and they performed them flawlessly."

Since arriving here from San Diego last week, the crew began final preparations of deactivation for the vessel, which included equipment and supply offload, and personnel transfers.

Rear Adm. Frank M. Drennan, a former commanding officer of Portsmouth and current director, Joint Forces Headquarters Information Operations, Offutt Air Force Base, Neb., was honored to be the guest speaker for the event. "The greatest feeling of all is being back on board the mighty Portsmouth one last time," he said.

He added that this event would forever be special to him. "Being a relatively new flag officer, I have not had the occasion of having honors rendered coming on board a ship," Drennan explained. "I'll always cherish the memory that my first, as a flag officer, was on a ship that I once commanded."

Portsmouth shares it's namesake with two cities: Portsmouth, Va., and Portsmouth, N.H. For these two communities with a proud naval tradition, the loss is even deeper.

"It is always saddening when a ship that has served its country so well for so many years comes to the end of its life cycle," said Dr. James W. Holley III, mayor of Portsmouth, Va.

"The crew, past and present, have put their sweat, hearts, and souls into maintaining the ship and completing missions," he continued. "The City of Portsmouth will be saddened by the loss of its namesake. It is not every city that gets a naval vessel named after it."

"We're sorry to see it deactivated," said Evelyn Sirrell, mayor of Portsmouth, N.H. "We're hoping that another submarine in the future will again bear the name Portsmouth."

During her 20 years in service, Portsmouth earned six Meritious Unit Commendations, five Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") awards, a Navy Expeditionary Medal, and various awards recognizing the performance by its crew.

Portsmouth recently completed a six-month western deployment in February and traveled to the Gulf of Alaska three months ago to participate in Exercise Northern Edge.

Cmdr. Kevin Brenton, Portsmouth's last commanding officer, thanked everyone who had contributed to the success of the Portsmouth, including his crew for their outstanding service up to the ship's time of deactivation.

"Our Sailors have answered every bell," he said. "I stand before you truly proud of what my crew has accomplished."

"We may be able to turn off the electricity, and even remove the heart of the reactor core from the hull, but we can never remove Portsmouth's warrior sprit that resides in us all," Brenton said.

As plankowners, former commanding officers of the ship and its crew looked on, the inactivation order was read, the watch was secured, and the ship's commissioning pennant was lowered, officially bringing to a close more than two decades of service.

"Portsmouth warriors past and present, I am honored and privileged to have commanded such a proud ship and crew," Brenton said. "You truly exemplify our ship's motto 'Proud to be the Best,' and I salute each and every one of you."