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USS Buffalo Gets Underway for Western Pacific

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060613-04
6/13/2006

From Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Friends and loved ones said aloha to the submariners of USS Buffalo (SSN 715) as the Pearl Harbor-based nuclear-powered attack submarine departed for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC), June 12.

Cmdr. Brian Humm, Buffalo’s commanding officer, said the crew and the submarine are prepared.

“This is our first deployment after the submarine’s overhaul, and it’s been about a year-long process of ramping up. We just finished our advanced certifications last week, and now were ready to go,” said Humm.

This is the last time the submarine will depart Pearl Harbor for a deployment, as it is slated to move to Guam next summer where it will become an asset of Submarine Squadron 15.

“Part of this deployment is stopping in our new homeport. I love Hawaii and so does a lot of the crew, but I don’t think there’s a great deal of anxiety, because they are getting a lot of familiarity with Guam,” said Humm.

Humm added that thanks to his ombudsman, the families are in good hands and his submariners are ready to focus on their jobs.

“What we will be doing is for the Navy and for the country. We’re actually delivering a product, and the crew gets a lot of satisfaction in that,” concluded Humm.

Crew member Culinary Specialist 1st Class Erick Roberts said he is looking forward to the travel.

“This is my first WESTPAC, so I am looking forward to the liberty ports, especially Japan and Guam,” said Roberts, who added that although it’s hard to say goodbye to his family, they know the routine and stand behind their submariner.

"Leaving my family is the hard part," he added. "However I have been away numerous times in my career, and I feel my family is prepared for my departure.”

His wife agreed. “As far as the families of the Buffalo, we will have meetings with the family support group to come up with ways and events to keep us occupied,” she said.

Buffalo is the Navy’s 25th Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine. The keel was laid Jan. 25, 1980, and was launched by the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company in Newport News, Va., May 8, 1982.

The submarine was commissioned Nov. 5, 1983, in Norfolk, Va., and one year later conducted an inter-fleet transfer to the Pacific Fleet Submarine Force via the Panama Canal. Buffalo has been homeported in Pearl Harbor since 1984.

For related news, visit the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/subpac/.