An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | April 26, 2019

USS Santa Fe Returns from Deployment

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Shaun Griffin Commander Submarine Forces Pacific

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii -- The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam from deployment April 22.

"I am exceptionally proud of the crew’s efforts to prepare for, sustain, and successfully execute every phase of this deployment,” said Cmdr. Chris Hedrick, a native of Glendale, California, and Santa Fe’s commanding officer. “As commanding officer, it has been my privilege to lead such a fine group of professional young men in carrying out our nation’s most important tasking, and I could not be prouder of their accomplishments.”

During the deployment, 22 enlisted Sailors and three officers earned their submarine warfare qualification.

“Our purpose is to be ready for battle at any time,” said Hedrick. “During our pre-deployment and throughout our deployment preparing and being ready for battle at any time was first and foremost in our mind.”

Hedrick said the crews' focus and battle mindedness enabled successful operations and led to a high level of achievement from the crew.

“My most memorable achievement during deployment was earning my dolphins,” said Electronics Technician (Submarine) 3rd Class Dakota Collison, from Chestertown, Maryland. “The most important thing I will take away from this deployment is never to be afraid to ask for help because we are all a team. We have to depend on each other for even the smallest tasks at sea.”

While deployed, Santa Fe executed a port call to Stirling, Western Australia, and hosted submariners from the Royal Australian Navy Submarine Force. They also had the opportunity to conduct community outreach projects by volunteering at the Perth Zoo and the Native Arc Wildlife Refuge center.

“Having the opportunity to help give back to the country that was hosting us during our port call was a rewarding experience,” said Fire Control Technician 2nd class Nicolas Tankersley, from Bradenton, Florida.

Upon returning to Pearl Harbor, Master Chief Sonar Technician (Submarine) James McGarrah, from Newburgh, New York, and Santa Fe’s Chief of the Boat, expressed his appreciation for the hard work and dedication put forth by the crew that made this a successful deployment.

Commissioned on Jan. 8, 1994, Santa Fe is the 52nd ship of the Los Angeles-class and is homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
363,185
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 27, 2024 - Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout...

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Lindsey Ford Concludes Visit to Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 27, 2024 - Department of Defense spokesperson Lt. Col. Martin Meiners provided the following readout...

DIU Partners With AUKUS Pillar II for International Prize Challenge
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 26, 2024 - The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is launching the first trilateral prize challenge through AUKUS Pillar II— a defense and security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (U.S.)— to...

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Andrew Winternitz Concludes Trip to Japan for Pacific Islands Defense Dialogue
Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.
March 26, 2024 - Department of Defense spokesperson Lt. Col. Martin Meiners provided the following readout...

Marines, Sailors Participate in Holi Festival and Community Events at Tiger TRIUMPH
U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Maxwell Gallahan, center left, a platoon commander assigned to Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, participate in musical chairs at a community relations event during Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH in Visakhapatnam, India, March 22, 2024. Tiger TRIUMPH is a U.S.-India tri-service amphibious exercise focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief readiness and interoperability. Tiger TRIUMPH enables U.S. and Indian Armed Forces to improve interoperability and bilateral, joint, and service readiness in the Indian Ocean region and beyond to better achieve mutual regional security objectives. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by 1st Lt. Robert Nanna)
March 26, 2024 - Marines and Sailors of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embraced India's culture during celebrations, athletic exchanges, and community relations engagements as they participate in Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH 2024...