USS Tucson Returns from Western Pacific deployment
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS041123-02
Release Date: 11/23/2004 9:19:00 AM
By Journalist 2nd Class Corwin Colbert, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR, HAWAII (NNS) -- USS Tucson (SSN 770) returned home to Pearl Harbor Naval Station Nov. 19 after completing a six-month deployment to the Western Pacific.
The Los Angeles-class attack submarine departed its homeport May 19 with a crew of more than 140 Sailors.
Cmdr. James Pitts, commanding officer of Tucson, said the deployment was a success.
"The deployment was great. The crew had a chance to go out and do operations for the 7th Fleet. They also had the chance to see some great liberty ports such as Singapore and Japan. We topped it off with doing some multinational exercises with the Japanese Navy," said Pitts.
The crew received a lot support from the local family services in places like Guam and Japan, but Pitts said the biggest positive impact for the crew came from home.
"The morale of the crew was great," he said. "We did a couple of things to take their minds off the separation from their families. We received support from home with the e-mails, mail and banners. We always had a piece of home and the crew really enjoyed it."
Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Tim Fredericksen, holding his child, was emotional about his return. "As you know, nothing can prepare you for leaving your family for six months, but it actually turned out well," he said. "I think now that we are back we can say the deployment was worthwhile. We pulled together and worked great together. Now that I am home I am going to relax and try to finally enjoy Hawaii."
Tucson is the second ship of the U.S. Navy to bear the name of this Arizona city and is the 59th Los Angeles class attack submarine and the 20th of the Improved-Los Angeles class attack submarine to be built.
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