USS La Jolla Departs for Western Pacific

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	040223-N-5539C-001 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (Feb. 23, 2004) – A tug gently guides the nuclear-powered Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS La Jolla (SSN 701) away from its pier as it heads out for a scheduled Western Pacific deployment. The submarine is equipped with the Special Operations capable Dry Deck Shelter (DDS), which can allow special operation forces including Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, Land) to deploy undetected from deployed submarines. U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class Corwin Colbert. (RELEASED)

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USS La Jolla Departs for Western Pacific
Story Number: NNS040224-01
Release Date: 2/24/2004 8:48:00 AM

By Chief Journalist (SW/AW) David Rush, Commander, Sumbarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- USS La Jolla (SSN 701) departed on a Western Pacific deployment from its homeport of Pearl Harbor Feb. 23.

According to Cmdr. Brian Howes, La Jolla’s commanding officer, his crew and the submarine are ready.

“The crew’s excited. This is the culmination of a lot of effort and hard work, and they’re looking forward to going out and supporting our mission.”

Howes explained that because they are multi-mission capable, they have to be ready for anything.

“We get ready for every contingency, and we ensure we’re good at every submarine mission, because we don’t know what our next mission will be.”

As for fighting the global war on terrorism, more than 30 additional Sailors were brought aboard La Jolla as part of Seal Delivery Vehicle Team 1.

“We have pushed the envelope at sea in our different mission areas, specifically getting Seal Delivery Vehicle Team 1 ready for deployment, because they have to be certified for deployment, as well.”

According to Howes, his Sailors are fired up for deployment.

“Everyone that comes onboard our ship has said that we’re enthusiastic and the morale is sky high, and the crew is excited and ready to go on deployment. I think that’s what sets us apart. We’re ready to go,” Howes concluded.

Commissioned Oct. 24, 1981, the Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine La Jolla is 360 feet long and displaces 6,900 tons.

It is equipped with highly accurate sensors and weapon control systems, and serves as a platform for Special Operations Forces with its Dry Deck Shelter capability. The submarine can be armed with sophisticated Mark 48 ADCAP anti-submarine torpedoes and Tomahawk guided cruise missiles.

For related news, visit the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/subpac.

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