US Navy’s Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721) completed her six-month deployment on February 9, returning to her homeport at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Chicago got underway in July 2020 for a regularly-scheduled deployment in the Indo-Pacific region.
One of the exercises the submarine joined was Valiant Shield 2020, a biennial field training exercise in which they conducted training to enable real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces through detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging units at sea, in the air, on land, and in cyberspace. During the exercise, Chicago fired a Mark 48 advanced capability torpedo and sunk the decommissioned frigate USS Curts.
“The team executed their mission superbly, remaining undetected and ready to execute the full spectrum of the submarine mission set anytime, anywhere,” said Cmdr. Chance Litton, commanding officer, USS Chicago. “I could not be prouder of this magnificent crew and greatly appreciate the family and loved ones back home who supported us through it all.”
USS Chicago also conducted Sea Dragon 2021, a joint anti-submarine warfare exercise, with Australian, Canadian, Indian and Japanese forces. Sea Dragon 2021 focused on anti-submarine warfare training and excellence. It included 250 hours of ground and classroom training and 125 hours of in-flight training, ranging from tracking simulated targets to finding and tracking Chicago.
“The crew performed as expected and trained,” said Master Chief Tim Kearns, chief of the boat, USS Chicago. “They conducted several different mission types in challenging environments and earned praise from the operational commander. Senior members of the crew provided guidance and mentorship rooted in their past experiences on forward-deployed submarines, enabling the success of Chicago.
Chicago was commissioned September 27, 1986, and is the Navy’s 34th Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine. Measuring 360 feet long and displacing more than 6,900 tons, Chicago has a crew of approximately 140 sailors. The attack submarines are capable of supporting various missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
