La Jolla visits Yokosuka during Western Pacific deployment
By LT Lara R. Bollinger
Submarine Group 7 Public Affairs
Release Date: 9/10/2012
(FLEET ACTIVITIES YOKOSUKA, Japan) – The Los Angeles class fast attack
submarine USS La Jolla (SSN 701) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka Sept.
10 for a visit as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific.
With a crew of approximately 135, La Jolla will conduct a multitude of
missions and showcase the latest capabilities of the submarine fleet.
"Our team brings operational excellence and sustained, multi-mission
capabilities to this region of the world, and we are proud do to so," said
Cmdr. Jeff Bernard, La Jolla's commanding officer. "Our crew aboard the
mighty warship La Jolla are thrilled to be on deployment and are very
excited about this port call in Yokosuka."
La Jolla's crew is highly trained, and operates a submarine that can support
a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship
warfare, strike, naval special warfare involving special operations forces,
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine
warfare. She measures 360 feet long and displaces more than 6,900 tons.
"Since we left Pearl Harbor, the crew have worked very hard and have done
and amazing job of keeping the boat operationally ready for this Western
Pacific deployment," said Fire Control Technician Senior Chief (submarine
service) Ed Brennan, chief of the boat. "We are all looking forward to some
well-earned rest and relaxation in Yokosuka."
La Jolla has a diverse crew with members who range in age from 19 to 49 and
hail from 38 states, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Many of these Sailors are
excited to see Japan for the first time and develop a better understanding
of the people and culture.
"I'm looking forward to going out and seeing what Yokosuka is all about,"
said Submarine Information Technician 2nd Class (submarine service) Travis
Shands, of Prescott, Ariz. "I hope to get a chance to see some of the
culture and talk to the people that live there. I've even been studying
Japanese!"
La Jolla is home-ported in Pearl Harbor, Hi.
