Thursday, August 14, 2014

USS New Hampshire Returns Home from Deployment



By Lt. Timothy Hawkins, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- Friends and family of USS New Hampshire (SSN 778) were all smiles despite rainy weather Aug. 13 as the Virginia-class attack submarine arrived in Groton, Connecticut, completing a six-month overseas deployment.

New Hampshire departed Naval Submarine Base New London on Feb. 11 to conduct maritime operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility and made port visits in the United Kingdom and Norway.

"New Hampshire's superb mission execution was vital to national strategic and theater security objectives," said 6th Fleet commander Vice Adm. Philip Davidson in a message to the crew. "As you return home to family and friends, you can be very proud of a job well done."

Friends and family gathered in a local meeting hall on the eve of the submarine's return. Many expressed excitement that the six-month wait was over.

Retired Lt. Cmdr. Wendy Chiado said she was looking forward to hugging "the best cook in the Navy." Her son Culinary Specialist 1st Class Seth Chiado, 27, has been a member of New Hampshire's crew since 2010.

Petty Officer Chiado's mom and dad traveled from Colorado to meet him on the pier alongside his wife Sarah, two year old daughter, and two aunts.

Sarah and Petty Officer Chiado's other two kids, ages 8 and 10, were unable to greet dad because they were at camp. But Sarah said the kids closely tracked each passing day of the deployment by marking a calendar to signal one step closer to the end.

For Sarah personally, the end means the return of Petty Officer Chiado and his help at home raising their three children, a sentiment New Hampshire's commanding officer understands.

"I have to thank our families for the tremendous sacrifice and support they showed while we were away accomplishing our mission," said Cmdr. Sean Fujimoto who assumed command in 2012.

USS New Hampshire is equipped to attack land targets with highly accurate Tomahawk cruise missiles, conduct covert surveillance and support special forces in addition to other warfare missions.

"We just completed a challenging deployment, demonstrating an incredible level of endurance. It would not have been possible without the ingenuity, hard work and selflessness of the men I serve with," said Fujimoto.

The crew of more than 130 Sailors can operate the 377-foot-long vessel at depths greater than 800 feet and speeds in excess of 25 knots when submerged.

New Hampshire was commissioned in October 2008 and is the third Navy ship named for the nation's ninth state.

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