USS Pittsburgh Returns From Deployment
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS101017-06
10/17/2010
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Steven Myers, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs
GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) returned home to loved ones at Naval Submarine Base New London Oct. 15.
Pittsburgh departed April 1 for a six-month deployment and conducted operations in the European Command area of responsibility.
"It's great to see all the families here. Six months is a long time to be out to sea on a submarine, so its nice to come home and know your are appreciated, missed, and made to feel welcome again," said Cmdr. Michael Savageaux, Pittsburgh's commanding officer.
Electronics Technician 3rd Class Loren Trover and his wife Andrea and Lt. Cmdr. Sean Stein and his wife Nina were chosen to receive the traditional first kiss.
Machinist's Mate 1st Class Zachary Shafer was met with a first as well. He met his newest child, Jesse, for the first time. She was born while Pittsburgh was deployed.
"It's great to be back," said Shafer. "Now I get to work on a relationship with my daughter. Hopefully, we can get her to the point where she doesn't cry when I pick her up."
Pittsburgh's crew was able to enjoy some European culture while visiting ports in Faslane, Scotland; Haakonsvern, Norway; Brest, France; and Portsmouth, England. The submarine steamed about 30,000 miles during her deployment.
Fast-attack submarines like Pittsburgh have multi-faceted missions. They use their stealth, persistence, agility and firepower to deploy and support special force operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary's military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity, and ensure undersea superiority.
The submarine, commissioned Nov. 23, 1985, is the fourth Navy vessel to be named for the people of Pittsburgh, Pa. The submarine's crew compliment includes 13 officers and 121 enlisted Sailors.
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