The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS San Francisco (SSN 711) departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka Jan. 16 after a brief visit as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific Ocean.

San Francisco was awarded the Battle "E" for excellence during the port visit to Yokosuka, where minor repairs and upkeep were completed after more than six months on deployment.

"It is such an honor to receive this award," said Cmdr. Jeffrey Juergens, commanding officer of San Francisco. "The crew has performed exceedingly well on this deployment. I'm glad their efforts are recognized."

San Francisco's crew welcomed the acknowledgement of their hard work during deployment.

"This is my third deployment," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class Daniel Riveron. "We've been striving for this award for quite some time now. It's great to see our work acknowledged."

San Francisco is one of the most covert submarines in the world. The submarine is capable of supporting a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

San Francisco's deployment is part of an ongoing rotation of deployed forces to support maritime security operations and operations in international waters around the globe, working with other coalition maritime forces.

San Francisco is one of five Los Angeles-class submarines homeported in San Diego.