USS Jacksonville Visits Malaysia During Western Pacific Deployment

By Ensign Nicholas Lucania, USS Jacksonville Public Affairs

SKOTA KINABALU, Malaysia (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Jacksonville (SSN 699) arrived in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia for a port visit as part of its Western Pacific deployment May 26.

The officers and crew of Jacksonville are excited to be in Kota Kinabalu and on deployment in the Western Pacific. For many of the crew, this was their first time visiting Kota Kinabalu. The crew was anxious to meet their Royal Malaysian Navy counterparts and immerse themselves in the Malaysian culture.

"The crew displayed hard work and dedication throughout the past two months at sea," said Cmdr. Matthew R. Boland, the commanding officer of Jacksonville. "My crew is excited to visit Malaysia and to enhance relations with foreign partners in the Western Pacific."

For more than one third of the crew, this is their first time deploying. They were excited to share their success with family and friends upon arrival.

"I can't wait to visit Kota Kinabalu," said Yeoman 2nd Class Jerry Molina. "This is my first deployment. I'm looking forward to shopping at the local markets, sampling the local cuisine and watching a game of sepak takraw."

Throughout its deployment, Jacksonville's crew of 144 Sailors will conduct a variety of missions.

Jacksonville will participate in several joint exercises focused on enhancing international maritime operations.

Jacksonville, homported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was commissioned May 16, 1981. It measures more than 360 feet long, displaces 6,900 tons and is one of the most capable submarines in the world. Jacksonville supports a wide range of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare and naval special warfare.

Throughout its 34-year history, Jacksonville conducted 13 deployments. Jacksonville continues to respond to all challenging tasks, living up to its motto of "The Bold One."