USS Olympia Visits Yokosuka

By Lt. Lara Bollinger, Commander Submarine Group 7 Public Affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine, USS Olympia (SSN 717) arrived at Fleet Activities Yokosuka Nov. 5, for a visit as part of its deployment to the Western Pacific.

With a crew of approximately 155, Olympia will conduct a multitude of missions and showcase the latest capabilities of the submarine fleet.

"USS Olympia is a mulit-mission capable warship with an outstanding crew enthusiastically conducting deployed operations," said Cmdr. Michael R. Coughlin, USS Olympia commanding officer.

Olympia is capable of sustained high-speed operations in direct support to the carrier task forces of the United States Navy as well as independent operations of critical importance to national security.

"The crew has worked very hard on this deployment, contributing to our many operational and material successes," said Master Chief Machinist's Mate James A. Weber, USS Olympia chief of the boat. "Yokosuka is our first port visit in more than a month, and the crew has earned the opportunity to enjoy liberty in Japan."

For many of the crew members, this is their first time visiting Japan.

"My father served here with the Navy in the early 70's, so I am looking forward to seeing all of the same great places and sights that he has told me so much about," said Logistics Specialist 3rd Class David Lee.

Measuring more than 360 feet long and weighing more than 6,900 tons when submerged, Olympia is one of the quietest submarines in the world. This submarine is capable of supporting a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, intelligence, and surveillance and reconnaissance.

Olympia is home-ported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.