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USS Ohio Visits Yokosuka, Japan

14 July 2011

From Lt. Lara Bollinger, Commander, Submarine Group 7 Public Affairs

Ohio-class guided missile submarine USS Ohio arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka July 13 for a port visit.

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) - Ohio-class guided missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka July 13 for a port visit as part of its deployment to the western Pacific.

With a crew of approximately 160, Ohio conducts a multitude of missions and showcases the latest capabilities of the U.S. submarine fleet.

"Ohio continues to excel on every mission assigned to it and remains a vital, strategic asset throughout the Western Pacific," said Capt. Dixon Hicks, commanding officer for the Ohio Gold crew.

Measuring 560 feet long and displacing more than 18,000 tons of water when submerged, Ohio is one of the largest and most versatile submarines in the world. She is capable of a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, tomahawk strike, naval special warfare involving special operations forces, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

"Our crew has been working very hard since the day we arrived in Guam more than three months ago," said Ohio's chief of the boat Neil Davenport.

"This will be our first port visit of this deployment and finally gives a chance for our dedicated Sailors to enjoy some well-deserved liberty," Davenport continued.

For many of the crew members, this is their first time visiting Japan.

"I am really interested in seeing the historic sites and trying some authentic Japanese food, as well as experiencing all that Tokyo has to offer," said missile technician 1st class Paul Workman. He continued, "I plan on taking a lot of pictures."

Ohio is homeported at Naval Base Kitsap in Bangor, Wash, but remains forward-deployed out of Apra Harbor, Guam. Ohio is equipped with advanced sonar, fire control, and weapons systems and state-of-the-art sound silencing equipment allowing it to conduct its missions wile remaining completely undetected. Equipped with dual drydock shelters, Ohio is uniquely capable of supporting extensive naval special warfare operations.

Ohio is armed with approximately 150 tomahawk cruise missiles, more than any other class of submarine or surface warship, and can launch while remaining submerged.

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