• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

USS Alexandria Arrives in New Homeport

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS151110-16
Release Date: 11/10/2015 1:11:00 PM

By Commander, Submarine Squadron 11 Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Alexandria (SSN 757) arrived in its new homeport at Naval Base Point Loma on Nov. 10.

Alexandria, with its crew of more than 160 Sailors, departed Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS) in Kittery, Maine, Aug. 3, following a regularly scheduled engineered overhaul (EOH).

'The crew of Alexandria and our families are excited to call San Diego our new home,' said Cmdr. Bret Grabbe, commanding officer (CO). 'We look forward to all the fantastic things 'America's Finest City' has to offer as well as continuing our mission here on the West Coast.'

Capt. Gene Doyle, commander, Submarine Squadron 11 (CSS-11), and former Alexandria CO, welcomed the submarine to its new squadron.

'It's terrific to see Alexandria back on the waterfront after her overhaul and to have the boat and her crew join the squadron family,' said Doyle. 'Alexandria is one of the most technologically advanced submarines in the world and will serve the nation for many more years. She has been a true performer throughout her career as an Atlantic Fleet asset, and I have the highest confidence that she will continue to do great things in her new home here in the Pacific.'

Alexandria completed its two-year EOH two weeks early - the fastest overhaul on a Los Angeles-class submarine in the Navy's history - and $9 million under budget. During the overhaul, the ship received both preventive and corrective maintenance while also modernizing some of the ship's electronics, communications and combat systems.

Prior to its EOH, Alexandria was assigned to Commander, Submarine Development Squadron 12 in Groton, Conn.

Alexandria is the third ship in the United States Navy to bear the name that is shared by cities in both Louisiana and Virginia and the seventh 'Improved' Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine. The improved modifications of this class include retractable bow planes, a reinforced sail for under ice operations, vertical launch Tomahawk Cruise Missile capability, ship quieting enhancements and an integrated combat systems suite. Alexandria was commissioned June 29, 1991.

Alexandria's most recent deployment was from October 2012 through April 2013 to the U.S. Africa Command and European Command areas of responsibility where it executed the nation's maritime strategy in supporting national security interests and national security operations. During the deployment, Alexandria covered more than 34,000 nautical miles.

Grabbe earned a bachelor's of science in Electrical Engineering from Kansas State University and was commissioned in September 1996. He holds a master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

His operational assignments include tours of duty on the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine USS Alaska (SSBN 732) and nuclear-powered fast attack submarines USS Memphis (SSN 691) and USS Providence (SSN 719).

Ashore, Grabbe served at Nuclear Power Training Unit, Ballston Spa, N.Y., and Commander, Submarine Development Squadron 12, in Groton, Conn.

Grabbe assumed command of Alexandria on Aug. 1, 2013.

Alexandria joins Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines USS San Francisco (SSN 711), USS Pasadena (SSN 752) and USS Hampton (SSN 767); Undersea Rescue Command; and the floating dry dock ARCO (ARDM 5) as part of CSS-11.