The submarine returned residence to Naval Submarine Base New London on a wet Tuesday, Jan. 3, after a six-month deployment beneath the command of Cmdr. Joseph A. Fontenot. However that’s not the one excellent news for Newport News, which garnered one of many high honors on the Groton waterfront.
“It’s an awesome begin to 2023 welcoming Cmdr. Fontenot and the crew of Newport News again residence,” stated Capt. Thomas O’Donnell, commander of Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 12, beneath which Newport News operates. “These Sailors reached such a degree of excellence of their efficiency that they earned the 2022 Battle E award because the top-performing submarine in Squadron 12, an honor bestowed upon the easiest we ship to sea.
“The regular, unwavering presence of U.S. Navy submarines worldwide gives our nation with an amazing navy edge, nevertheless it takes numerous arduous work and dedication on the a part of our Sailors and their households to keep up that vigilance and benefit,” he continued. “I need to congratulate the Sailors of Newport News for a job well-done on their deployment and thank their family members for his or her sacrifices right here at residence.”
The Navy’s Battle Effectiveness – extensively referred to as “Battle E”– awards acknowledge the ships at every squadron that attain the very best total operational readiness and efficiency.
Throughout its deployment to the U.S. European Command space of accountability, Newport News steamed almost 33,000 nautical miles and made port calls to Tromso, Norway; Faslane, Scotland; and Rota, Spain. Thirty-nine personnel earned their submarine warfare units – generally known as “dolphins” – in the course of the deployment and the Newport News Sailors racked up greater than 350 particular person watchstation {qualifications} at sea.
“I’m tremendously happy with this elite crew for its tireless pursuit of excellence over the previous six months at sea,” stated Fontenot. “From planning, to materials administration, to mission execution, this crew of devoted professionals ensured Newport News was in the fitting place, on the proper time, with the fitting readiness to soundly accomplish European Command’s highest precedence missions with no missed operational days.
“Newport News and her Sailors confirmed as soon as once more on this deployment why our Navy counts on us to be a stalwart defender of freedom around the globe,” he continued. “After all, our deep gratitude goes out to our households and family members for his or her steadfast help of our Sailors and the sacrifices they made again residence in order that we may execute our tasking. We couldn’t be happier to be again residence with them to have fun the New Yr.”
Hannah Clarke and her husband, Lt.j.g. Daniel Clarke had been acknowledged with the ceremonial first kiss on the pier, whereas Petty Officer 2nd Class Forrest Keith was acknowledged with the primary hug along with his household – spouse Chelsea and kids Ceinwyn, 6, and Christopher, 4.
Additionally acknowledged in the course of the homecoming had been Newport News Sailor of the Yr Petty Officer 1st Class Spencer Heline and his spouse, Kristy Dowd; Junior Sailor of the Yr Petty Officer 2nd Class Marcus Stanfield and his spouse, Atlagracia Lara-Stanfield; and Bluejacket of the Yr Seaman Keil Gerard and his important different, Katelyn Deibert.
USS Newport News was commissioned on June 3, 1989. SSN 750 is the third U.S. Navy warship named for the Virginia shipbuilding metropolis Newport News, following a World Conflict I cargo ship and a Des Moines-class heavy cruiser that was in service from 1948-1978. The submarine Newport News has a crew of greater than 130 personnel, is greater than 361 ft lengthy with a beam of greater than 32 ft.
Quick-attack submarines are multi-mission platforms enabling 5 of the six Navy maritime technique core capabilities – sea management, energy projection, ahead presence, maritime safety and deterrence. They’re designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, particular operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare. Quick-attack submarines mission energy ashore with particular operations forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles within the prevention or response to regional crises.
