Illinois deployed from Pearl Harbor in December 2022, throughout which the submarine and its crew carried out a full spectrum of operations, to incorporate anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions within the Indo-Pacific area.
“The Illinois crew demonstrated the intense resiliency and endurance required to function at sea,” mentioned Illinois Commanding Officer Cmdr. Daniel McNab, from Brewster, Minnesota. “Working a deployed submarine by way of probably the most distant elements of the Pacific is extremely difficult. The power of our households and help from house was important to engaging in our mission of defending a free and open Indo-Pacific area. It has been the best honor of my profession to serve at sea with this superb crew. I couldn’t be extra pleased with my Sailors, their households, our Illinois supporters, and the dedication every of them has to our nation.”
Throughout the deployment, the crew traveled roughly 35,000 nautical miles underneath the ocean. The Sailors aboard Illinois skilled to be combat-ready previous to departure and maintained these requirements all through the deployment.
“The grit and optimistic perspective displayed by the complete Illinois crew has been extraordinary,” mentioned Illinois Chief of the Boat Grasp Chief Hearth Management Technician (Submarines) Mark Walter, from Burke, Virginia. “Each day, Illinois Sailors demonstrated our skill to take care of a sustained presence at sea. Particular thanks are owed to all of the households for retaining our house entrance safe. Our nation is stronger and our family members are safer due to your sacrifice.”
Throughout the deployment, 41 Illinois Sailors grew to become totally certified in submarines and earned their Submarine Warfare Specialist designation generally known as “dolphins”.
“Probably the most unforgettable second of deployment was after I certified in submarines, particularly as a result of I used to be pinned on my birthday,” mentioned Torpedoman Fireman Apprentice Jeremiah J. Bruce from Montgomery, Alabama. “Incomes my silver dolphins was robust and it took lots of sleepless nights of learning. It was achievable with assist from the complete crew alongside the best way. I’m extraordinarily proud and appreciative to be part of the Illinois crew.”
Illinois was commissioned Oct. 29, 2016, and is the thirteenth Virginia-class submarine. It’s 377 ft lengthy with a beam of 34 ft. USS Illinois is the second ship to be named for the nation’s twenty first state, the primary being the battleship USS Illinois (BB 7) which was in service from 1901 to 1920, serving as a part of President Theodore Roosevelt’s “Nice White Fleet”.
