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Albany, Hampton Named Top Submarines in Norfolk

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050131-10
Release Date: 2/1/2005 3:11:00 AM

By Journalist Seaman Andrew Zask, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- USS Hampton (SSN 767) and USS Albany (SSN 753) won the 2004 Battle Efficiency (Battle "E") Award for Submarine Squadrons 8 and 6, respectively, in January.

Hampton also earned the Squadron 8 Tactical "T," the Medical "M," the Engineering "E" and the Safety Award. Having a busy year in 2004, Hampton completed many tasks under strenuous deadlines, including a short-notice deployment to the North Atlantic and Arctic regions.

"Hampton's across-the-board excellence had no close match within Submarine Squadron 8 and, I suspect, within the fleet," said Squadron 8 Commodore, Capt. Robert Hennegan. "Hampton's crew enthusiastically met the challenges of every operation and deployment with noteworthy success."

Hampton also met many other emergent tasks, including support for the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Strike Group Composite Training Unit Exercise, participation in NATO anti-submarine exercises and joint Arctic exercises with the United Kingdom's Royal Navy.

Winning the Communications "C" and the Damage Control "DC" for Squadron 6, Albany started the year with a six-month deployment in support of the global war on terrorism. During this deployment, the boat participated in several exercises, including Summer Pulse '04.

Albany's crew also improved their performance from previous years in a number of areas, including morale, retention, operational readiness and shipboard safety.

Submarine Squadron 6 Commodore, Capt. Bruce Grooms said Albany showed consistent good performance throughout 2004.

"I watched you all from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31," he said. "This was not a difficult decision."

During his change of command ceremony in October 2004, former Commander, Naval Submarine Forces, Adm. Kirkland H. Donald singled out Hampton for their accomplishments throughout the year.

"Whenever we called, Hampton Sailors answered the bell with a smart salute and a cheery 'Aye, aye,'" said Donald. "They have been the ultimate utility infielder with a long-ball hitter's power."

Both Hampton and Albany were nominated by their squadrons for the Arleigh Burke Fleet Trophy, which is given yearly to the ship or aircraft squadron that makes the greatest improvements in battle efficiency.