An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


USS Bremerton Returns to Pearl Harbor

31 May 2013

From Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Steven Khor

The submarine and crew returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam May 30 following a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - Friends and families of the crew from USS Bremerton (SSN 698) gathered at the submarine piers to welcome back the Los Angeles-class submarine as she returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after completing a seven-month deployment to the Western Pacific region, May 30.

"Bremerton completed a very successful deployment to the Western Pacific fully accomplishing all assigned tasking for a variety of missions," said Cmdr. Caleb Kerr, Bremerton's commanding officer.

Kerr said the submarine crew performed flawlessly in the most challenging environments.

"The crew remained motivated during a deployment with a very high operational tempo while performing the most difficult missions," said Kerr. During the deployment, 10 Sailors earned their designation as qualified in submarines and now wear their dolphin warfare insignia.

Kerr said despite one-third of the crew being their very first deployment, they performed like they were seasoned veterans.

Kerr added the crew was able to get time off to experience the diverse cultures in Yokosuka and Sasebo, Japan; Subic Bay, Philippines; Guam, and Chinhae, South Korea. Kerr said liberty provided the opportunity to directly contribute to the enhancement of relationships with key allies.

When the deployment was finally complete, the crew came home to a waiting crowd of smiling family and friends at the pier.

"It was definitely a long wait. We are really excited about getting married on Sunday, so it was very good timing!" said Alexandria Patton, girlfriend of a Bremerton Sailor.

USS Bremerton is named in honor of the city of Bremerton, Wash. Commissioned in Mar. 28, 1981. Bremerton is the 10th ship of the Los Angeles-class of nuclear attack submarines. The submarine is 362-feet long, displaces 6,900 tons and can be armed with sophisticated Mark-48 torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles.

Guidance-Card-Icon Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon