USS North Dakota deploys UUVs

23rd July 2015 - 17:30 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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The USS North Dakota has returned to its homeport in Connecticut after deploying and retrieving UUVs in an operational environment for the first time, the US Navy announced on 20 July.

The Virginia-class submarine deployed the UUVs from its dry deck shelter in the Mediterranean Sea over a seven-week mission prior to the completion of its post shakedown availability. It joined a group of Virginia-class submarines for the mission.

Capt Douglas Gordon, US Navy, said: 'The crew was very excited to be chosen to take the ship forward and conduct operations in support of fleet and combatant commanders' operational objectives.

'It was a rare opportunity for the crew to be able to deploy prior to executing its post shakedown availability. Many crew members had never deployed before and were able to experience first-hand the hard work and effort required in preparing a ship for deployed operations.

'They trained hard and expertly executed our mission. I could not be more proud of their performance and the professionalism that they exhibited during our operations.'

Capt Jim Waters, commander, Submarine Squadron 4, said: 'The timing within USS North Dakota's schedule, along with its highly-trained and certified crew, made it the optimal choice to conduct this mission. The mission completed by North Dakota also demonstrated the promising and emerging technology of UUVs within the submarine force.'