Helena Departs Shipyard Following Maintenance Period
Navy News Service
Story Number: NNS110521-14
5/21/2011
From Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs Office
KITTERY, Maine (NNS) -- USS Helena (SSN 725) departed from Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) May 20, following completion of extended maintenance.
Previously homeported in San Diego, Helena now heads to her new home at Naval Station Norfolk later this month.
Helena, named after Helena, Mont., arrived at PNSY Sept. 2, 2009 for extended maintenance, including several system upgrades.
The shipyard hosted a "deplaquing" ceremony in April, officially marking an end the Helena's maintenance period.
While at PNSY, Helena's crew were involved in a number of community related activities including, painting classrooms, visiting local veterans centers and retirement homes, marching in parades, presenting colors at sporting events, fellowshipping with community members and speaking to elementary students about the armed services, and, more specifically, submarine service.
Because of that community support, the submarine received the 2010 Promoting Equal Opportunity Among All People (PEOple) Award from Capt. L. Bryant Fuller III, commanding officer of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard March 21 for demonstrating a strong commitment to people throughout the New England area over the past year.
Helena's commanding officer, Cmdr. Paul Dinius, and Chief of the Boat, Master Chief Electronics Technician Chris Lancaster, accepted the award from Capt. Fuller on behalf of Helena's crew.
"The crew has utilized its resources to the maximum extent possible to not only overhaul the submarine, but also to connect with fellow Seacoast community members and New Englanders," said Dinius. "In doing so, many crewmembers have developed a strong appreciation for the area and people with many expressing the desire to one day return to live, work and retire."
Helena was commissioned on July 11, 1987. Her motto is "Proud and Fearless."
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