By Lt. Justin Rogers, USS Charlotte Public Affairs
In this file photo, USS Charlotte (SSN 766) prepares to moor at Fleet Activities Yokosuka during a visit there in November. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Brian G. Reynolds) >>
SASEBO, Japan - The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Charlotte (SSN 766) arrived at Fleet Activities Sasebo, Jan. 5, for a port visit as part of its Indo-Asia-Pacific deployment.
Charlotte is on a six-month deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Charlotte will conduct important missions to strengthen theater security with strong partners throughout the region.
"My team is very excited to have the opportunity to visit Sasebo, experience Japan's culture and fantastic people and contribute to strengthening our partnership with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force," said Cmdr. Andrew T. Miller, Charlotte's commanding officer. "For me personally, it has always been a highlight of my past deployments to visit Sasebo and receive the warm hospitality of the people of Japan."
With a crew of approximately 150, all of Charlotte's Sailors were eager and excited to visit Japan. Most crew members had never visited Sasebo and wished to make the most out of their visit.
"Japanese food is my favorite cuisine," said Electronics Technician 2nd Class Alexander DeGrado. "I can't wait to enjoy it."
Charlotte's crew has worked incredibly hard and maintained an unprecedented level of poise and focus to safely arrive for some rest and relaxation.
"This crew of professional submariners is by far the hardest working and resilient team I've had the honor of serving with," said Master Chief Electrician's Mate James W. Grant, Charlotte's chief of the boat. "The ship's ability to participate in forward-deployed operations has come as a direct result of the crew's ability to come together as a highly skilled team, [and] conquer some of the most challenging material and scheduling issues ever experienced on a submarine."
Measuring more than 360 feet long and displacing more than 6,900 tons when submerged, Charlotte is one of the most advanced fast-attack submarines in the world. This submarine is capable of supporting a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine Warfare, anti-surface warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) warfare, and strike and mine warfare.
Charlotte was christened Oct. 3, 1992, at Newport News Shipbuilding, by Mary McCormack, the ship's sponsor. Charlotte was commissioned Sept. 16, 1994, in Norfolk, and arrived at its current homeport, of Pearl Harbor Nov. 17, 1995.