USS Norfolk Sailors Visit United Arab Emirates
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS060321-04
Release Date: 3/21/2006 1:21:00 PM
From U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs
MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- USS Norfolk (SSN 714) arrived in the port of Jebel Ali, U.A.E., March 17 for a brief visit, providing the crew an opportunity for liberty and the Norfolk, Va.-based attack submarine an opportunity for routine upkeep.
Norfolk is currently deployed to the region as a member of Expeditionary Strike Group 8, led by USS Nassau (LHA 4), in support of maritime security operations (MSO) in the Persian Gulf.
Lt. Cmdr. T.R. Buchanan, executive officer of the Los Angeles-class attack submarine, said the crew of Norfolk is proud of their accomplishments so far.
“Deployment is going wonderfully well,” Buchanan said. “We've had a lot of great experiences and good success in our operations.”
Norfolk's last port visit was two months ago, when the submarine visited Bahrain for the first time. According to the boat's XO, the port visit to the U.A.E. comes at a good time.
“The crew is ready for some rest and relaxation, and Dubai and Jebel Ali are great places for that,” Buchanan said. “We'll take advantage of it.”
He added that it was also important for Norfolk to have the opportunity to perform some routine maintenance as the submarine heads into the “home stretch” of the deployment.
“A main purpose of the visit is to improve the material condition [of Norfolk], and this really is a perfect opportunity to do that.”
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