USS North Carolina Returns from Patrol

The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS North Carolina (SSN 777) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam following a seven-month deployment, Might 25.

North Carolina departed Pearl Harbor Nov. 4, 2021 for a regularly-scheduled deployment, by which they carried out a full spectrum of operations, to incorporate anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare within the Indo-Pacific area.

“First, I admire the help of the households and our Navy crew, in addition to our ship’s sponsors from the nice state of North Carolina. Our potential to excel throughout the deployment was largely on account of your help,” mentioned North Carolina Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Michael Fisher, from Sterling
Heights, Mich. “This deployment demonstrated the total vary of submarine operations and the resiliency of our ship and our crew.”

North Carolina’s deployment included homeland protection, and working ahead within the Indo-Pacific.

“The crew’s efficiency exceeded my expectations,” mentioned Grasp Chief Alex Jones, from Virginia Seaside, Va., North Carolina’s chief of the boat. ”The power of North Carolina Sailors to not simply get the job accomplished, however to dominate the battle area whereas searching for one another, sustaining constructive attitudes and proudly representing our nation to allied nations on liberty is eye watering.”

In the course of the deployment, North Carolina had 42 Sailors earn their Submarine Warfare Specialist designation (Dolphins), demonstrating that they’re totally certified in submarines.

“My most memorable a part of deployment was qualifying submarines and becoming a member of the elite group of girls and gents who share the satisfaction,” mentioned Fireplace Management Technician Seaman (SS) Christopher Mettler from Crofton, Md.

North Carolina was commissioned Might 3, 2008. North Carolina is the fourth Virginia-class submarine and the fourth U.S. Navy ship to be named for the state of North Carolina. It’s 377 ft lengthy with a beam of 34 ft. Virginia-class, fast-attack submarines have a crew of roughly 132, made up of 15 officers and 117 enlisted Sailors. Quick-attack submarines, like North Carolina, are multi-mission platforms enabling 5 of the six Navy
maritime technique core-capabilities — sea management, energy projection, ahead presence, maritime safety, and deterrence. The submarine is designed to excel in anti-submarine warfare; anti-ship warfare; strike warfare; particular operations; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; irregular
warfare; and mine warfare — from open ocean anti-submarine warfare to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, to projecting energy ashore with particular operation forces and Tomahawk cruise missiles within the prevention or preparation of regional crises.