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USS Ohio Moors at Bravo Wharf

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080117-12
Release Date: 1/17/2008 3:23:00 PM

By Oyaol Ngirairikl, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- It was nearly noon when the USS Ohio (SSGN 726) moored at Bravo Wharf in Apra Harbor, Jan. 10.

The newest member of the U.S. Naval Base Guam (NBG) team, a newly retrofitted Ohio-class guided-missile submarine, is an incredible addition to the Navy force in the region, according to Capt. Scott Galbreaith, commanding officer of NBG.

"We're excited to have the Ohio and her crew here with us," Galbreaith said as he waited to greet the submarine's crew.

Work to prepare NBG to accommodate Ohio started several years ago.

On Jan. 11, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at Apra Harbor to celebrate the completion of Bravo Wharf. Upgrades to the wharf included a new surface and fire protection system, improved water distribution, lighting and anchoring systems.

With regards to all of the submarine's capabilities, Galbreaith noted that it would help NBG better support the execution of the new U.S. Maritime Strategy.

Ohio was the first of four Ohio-class submarines transformed into a multi-role warship.

She has the capabilities of smaller fast-attack submarines but also was fitted to carry a variety of missiles that allows her to strike against interior land targets and provide rapid response against targets closer to the coast.

Lt. Cmdr. Rich Massie, executive officer of the Ohio, noted the ship also can carry about 60 special forces troops, "making her capable of assisting in covert operations.

"Ohio is based out of Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, Wash., however will operate out of Guam, increasing the amount of time she can remain deployed thus increasing her effectiveness in supporting the Maritime strategy," Massie said.

The new strategy brings the Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps together to keep the U.S. military as a global and fully deployed force.

The strategy aims to retain the military's core capabilities of forward presence, deterrence, sea control and power projection.

The new strategy includes international cooperation to enhance maritime security and also embraces faster response in humanitarian assistance.

Ensign Jason Buonvino, Ohio's supplies officer, said the ship left her homeport earlier last year, making her way to Guam via Hawaii.

"The deployment went well and time went quickly," Buonvino said, noting that much of the crew continues to train on the new submarine. "We were engaged in a lot of opportunities that allowed ... the crew to get a lot of ground training and we were able to stay forward and complete what we needed to accomplish."

For more news from U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/guam/.