USS Hartford Returns from 6-Month Deployment
Navy News Service
Story Number: NNS151222-03
Release Date: 12/22/2015 9:44:00 AM
By Chief Mass Communication Steve Owsley, Naval Submarine Support Center, New London Public Affairs
GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768) returned to its homeport at Naval Submarine Base New London, in Groton, Conn., from a regularly scheduled deployment, Dec. 18.
Under the command of Cmdr. Thomas Aydt, Hartford returned from the European Command (EUCOM) areas of responsibility (AOR) where the crew executed the Chief of Naval Operations' maritime strategy in supporting national security interests and maritime security operations.
The crew spent the last year getting the Hartford ready to deploy, following an 18-month maintenance period, Aydt said.
'We deployed for six months to the European theater ... conducting missions of vital national security,' Aydt said. 'Hartford made three port calls in the United Kingdom and one in Rota, Spain, while operating in multiple environments throughout the Atlantic.'
During the deployment Hartford steamed approximately 40,000 nautical miles, equal to 1.85 trips around the world or nearly eight round trips from New London, Conn., to San Diego. Port visits along the way included Faslane, Scotland, and Rota, Spain.
Aydt attributed the deployment's success to the Hartford crew's hard work and dedication.
'The guys worked very hard during the training period; they performed above and beyond,' said Aydt. 'They're very eager to learn and very eager to keep facing each new challenge.'
One person in the crowd of friends and family understood the types of challenges and accomplishments the Hartford crew faced on deployment more than most.
Retired Senior Chief Fire Controlman Jeff Traylor completed 17 patrols in his 21-year submarine career. Traylor welcomed his grandson, Fire Control Technician 3rd Class Jordan Davidson, home from his second deployment. Traylor's pride in his service, the submarine community and his grandson came together as he watched the sub steam toward its homeport.
'We were out watching her (Hartford) come past Avery Point and I couldn't help but feel great pride,' said Traylor. 'My heart kind of swells when you look at the United States Navy - the most powerful submarine force in the world - coming up the river and my grandson is on that boat.'
Rachel Green was starting a new adventure with her husband, Electronic's Technician 1st Class Matthew Green. Rachel held a hand-painted sign that said, 'Green party of three,' to share the news that the couple would be having their first child.
'I visited him in Scotland at one of their port calls and the odds were absolutely in our favor, and two weeks later I found out I was pregnant,' said Rachel.
Santa Claus rode topside on the Hartford and waved to all the children in the crowd. After Hartford moored, he walked through the crowd greeting the children and handing out small presents.
One of the best early Christmas presents went to young Mary Storer, but it didn't come from Santa. She along with her brother, John, and mother, Lizzie, won the first hug with her father, Lt. Gregory Storer.
Lizzie said the homecoming ceremony was, 'incredibly special and it makes the sacrifices of the last six months worth it.'
Fast-attack submarines like USS Hartford are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities - sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence. The submarine is designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare; anti-ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; irregular warfare; and mine warfare. The sub can handle a variety of missions, from open ocean anti-submarine warfare to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to projecting power ashore with special operation forces and tomahawk cruise missiles in the prevention or preparation of regional crises.
Commissioned Dec. 10, 1994, Hartford is the second ship to be named for Hartford, Conn. It is 360 feet long with a beam of almost 33 feet and draft of 29 feet.
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