The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Columbia arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, Nov. 5, for a visit as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific.

With a crew of 150 Columbia Sailors will conduct a multitude of missions and showcase the latest capabilities of the submarine fleet.

"The ship and crew performed very well during our deployment to the 7th Fleet AOR (area of responsibility)," said Cmdr. John Friedman, Columbia's commanding officer. "Columbia successfully completed several missions vital to national security and participated in several multinational exercises, which improved the overall warfighting readiness of U.S. and allied forces in the Western Pacific and supported ongoing theater security objectives."

"Our short visit here to Yokosuka will provide us the opportunity to make a few needed repairs as we prepare for our return to Pearl Harbor," continued Friedman. "Our time here in the Western Pacific has been productive and the crew has honed their warfighting skills."

"Columbia has been eagerly looking forward to visiting Yokosuka from the time we departed on our Western Pacific deployment in May," said Master Chief Machinist's Mate Wayne Fetterley, Columbia's chief of the boat.

For some of the crew members, this was their first time visiting Yokosuka.

"Visiting Yokosuka for the first time was really amazing, hopefully I'll get the opportunity to see this amazing city again," said Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Alvarez.

"They have been exemplary ambassadors of the United States and represent the best that our country has to offer," said Friedman. "I am very proud of their accomplishments and consider it an honor to have served beside them."

Measuring more than 360 feet long and weighing more than 6,000 tons when submerged, Columbia is one of the stealthiest submarines in the world. It is capable of supporting a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, Naval Special Warfare involving special operations forces, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.