• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

USS Montpelier Deploys with HST Carrier Strike Group

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071118-05
Release Date: 11/18/2007 6:38:00 PM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Dean Lohmeyer, Commander, Submarine Force Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Los Angeles class fast-attack submarine USS Montpelier (SSN 765) pulled away from Naval Station Norfolk's Pier 3 Nov. 5, deploying with the Harry S. Truman Carrier (HST) Strike Group for a regularly scheduled six-month deployment.

Cmdr. Chris Harkins, Montpelier's commanding officer, is leading the ship on this deployment. He is confident both the ship and the crew are ready for this deployment.

"We're trained and we're ready to go," said Harkins. "I'm real proud of the men and what they've done in the past six months to get to this point. I'm excited to give them an opportunity to go out there and support the countries' objectives."

This is Montpelier's first deployment since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Since then Montpelier has gone through two modernization periods. Harkins believes Montpelier is now one of the most modernized Los Angeles Class submarines in the fleet.

"The ship underwent a depot modernization period that was about 15 months long, and it has also been through a five-month modernization period, so Montpelier right now is probably the most modernized 688 class submarine we have in the fleet, specifically the fire control system and the sonar system."

Harkins is confident the crew will perform well, and is looking forward to the deployment.

"The ship looks great, we're ready to go and we look forward to going off and doing our thing, and then coming back to a hearty reunion," said Harkins.

Sonar Technician (Submarines) Seaman Joshua Clinard is making his first deployment in the Navy – and doesn't quite know what to expect.

"I'm a little nervous, but I'm excited about seeing the world," said Clinard. "I'm looking forward to this deployment, though. I want to get my fish (submarine warfare specialist qualification, also known as 'dolphins') and make my parents in Texas proud of me."

Lt. Daniel Christensen is a former Montpelier Sailor who won't be making this deployment. He transferred from the ship on the same day it deployed.

"The crew is an incredibly hard working group of guys, unmatched by anyone," said Christensen. "I'm impressed and happy for them. The camaraderie of the wardroom and the work ethic of the crew are phenomenal and it got them to where they are today. I look forward to seeing them when they get back. I know they're going to do great things."

Montpelier will deploy to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility and will operate both independently and in coordination with the HST Carrier Strike Group.

With stealth, persistence, agility and firepower, fast-attack submarines like Montpelier are multi-mission capable – able to deploy and support special forces operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary's military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity, and ensure undersea superiority.

Montpelier is 360-feet long, displaces 6,900 tons of water, and can travel in excess of 25 knots.