Community Says Farewell to Namesake City Submarine USS Honolulu

Navy NewsStand ^ | Chief Journalist (SW/AW) David Rush

[SandRat]

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye, Lt. Gov. James Aiona, and Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Gary Roughead joined past and current crew members of USS Honolulu (SSN 718) to bid farewell to the nuclear-powered attack submarine at a ceremony April 15, at Naval Station Pearl Harbor.

Keynote speaker, U.S. 7th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Jonathan Greenert, who commanded Honolulu from 1991 to 1993, said the submarine performed exceptionally well throughout its career.

“She was consistently the most reliable ship in the squadron, whatever squadron she was in," he said. "Her complex systems always worked well…even the anchor on this ship always worked.”

Inouye said Honolulu, and all other Los Angeles-class submarines, have served the Navy in a variety of roles.

“These submarines constituted the front lines during the Cold War," he said. "Today, they continue to operate...putting SEALs (Sea, Air, Land) ashore, collecting intelligence, and taking care of our strike forces.”

“USS Honolulu demonstrates how important Pearl Harbor is and how important the submarines are and how much we rely upon them,” Inouye added.

Praising the efforts of her crew that have served for more than 20 years, Aiona cited the submarine Honolulu as a valuable asset to the community and the country.

“For the past two decades, this nuclear-powered attack submarine has proudly served our nation and her namesake city Honolulu," he said. "The state of Hawaii is indeed honored to have had the prestigious USS Honolulu at Pearl Harbor.”

As Honolulu’s final operational commanding officer, Russ said the crew have enjoyed serving aboard the namesake city submarine, and are ready to put the submarine through its paces.

“Although we are sad to say goodbye to the best homeport in the Navy, a place that has been a warm and welcoming home for crew members and their families for nearly two decades, we are excited about our upcoming deployment,” said Russ.

Russ added that he and his submariners are looking forward to going to sea aboard Honolulu.

“It’s a chance to put into practice the skills we have spent our careers mastering, and the teamwork we have spent the last few months honing,” Russ said.

USS Honolulu, which has served as Honolulu’s namesake for the last two decades, is scheduled to depart for its final deployment to the Western Pacific in early May.

Following the deployment, it will return directly to Bremerton, Wash., to begin inactivation.

Sidney Quintal, director of Enterprise Services for the City & County of Honolulu, presented a proclamation on behalf of Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who was out of the country. Hannemann visited Honolulu March 29 to bid his farewell.

The submarine Honolulu has been homeported at Pearl Harbor for most of her operational life. After her commissioning in 1985, she moved to Hawaii to join the Pacific Fleet in September 1986. She has completed nine deployments to the Western Pacific, participated in Operation Enduring Freedom and conducted operations under the Arctic ice.

The submarine has received an impressive array of awards, including six Battle ‘E’s. USS Honolulu is the third ship named in honor of the city of Honolulu.

For related news, visit the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/subpac/.

[SandRat]

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (April 15, 2006) – Commander, U.S. Seventh Fleet Vice Adm. Jonathan Greenert, speaks during the farewell ceremony for the fast attack submarine USS Honolulu (SSN 718). Senator Daniel Inouye, Lieutenant Governor James Aiona and Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, Adm. Gary Roughead join past and current crew members of Honolulu to bid farewell to the nuclear powered attack submarine. Honolulu is scheduled to depart for its final deployment to the Western Pacific in early May. Following the deployment, it will return directly to Bremerton, Washington, to begin inactivation. Honolulu is the third ship named in honor of the city of Honolulu, Hawaii. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Christopher P. Gerrior (RELEASED)

[SandRat]

Submariners bid Aloha!!

[relee]

even the anchor on this ship always worked

Really?

[Paleo Conservative]

Why is Los Angeles class sub being mothballed?

[ExcursionGuy84]

Why is Los Angeles class sub being mothballed?

Probably to make room for the Virginia-class boats coming in....

...but of course, I could very well be "off course".

[Mount Athos]

The 3rd Virginia class sub is called the "Hawaii", it will be comissioned in 2007. Just as the Honolulu is decomissioned. Perfect timing!

[ExcursionGuy84]

I sure would like to take atour of the NEW USS Hawai'i [yes, this is the proper spelling]

[ErnBatavia]

Now I want to go back to the USS Bowfin museum, right alongside the Pearl Harbor Memorial.

[Mount Athos]

Oh brother did they really do that?

Hawai'i isn't an english word. It is a transliteration of the Hawaiian language word. And to pronounce it that way you pronounce the "w" with a v sound. I don't think sailors are going to be doing that

[atomic_dog]

Why is Los Angeles class sub being mothballed?

When they're off to Bremerton it's not to be mothballed. They run NPSSRP (Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program) there and they defuel it, cut the reactor compartment out, ship it for burial to Idaho and cut up the rest for scrap.

[ExcursionGuy84]

I trust what you say.

[SandRat]

I don't know.

[operation clinton cleanup]

even the anchor on this ship always worked

How often does a (nuclear) sub need an anchor anyway?

[Nuc1]

I feel so old. LA was a new boat, in a new class, when we were oping for America. Wish them all well.

[MichiganCheese]

We just toured the Bowfin 2 weeks ago when we were there. Did you go out to the Arizona Memorial when you were there? It was all very educational and interesting.

[ErnBatavia]

Did you go out to the Arizona Memorial when you were there? It was all very educational and interesting.

Oh, indeed. Wifey and I have been to Hawaii at least ten times, and still love Oahu best...and always make the run back towards the airport (from Waikiki) for an early morning visit to the Arizona Memorial. One simply cannot go to Hawaii and not do this.

Funny thing - the first couple of times, we'd see nary a Japanese tourist, but in later years we've begun to see some....they usually avoid the prelim movie, though....

[XNavyNuc]

You think *you* feel old. There was no 'Los Angeles' class when I served on the Plunger (SSN 595). We were considered the 'Steely Eyed Killers of the Deep'. One crew, one boat and... STEAMIN!

[VeniVidiVici]

Is 20 years old for an attack boat or is it just being superceded?

[El Gato]

How often does a (nuclear) sub need an anchor anyway?

Well, if it only needs it once, they really want it to work, and should very pleasantly surprised when it does, since things that aren't used much often don't work when one tries to use them. That's the reason they have periodic maintenance, inspections, etc, whether the equipment has been used since the last inspection or servicing or not.

[fish hawk]

Why don't they give it as a present to our friends in Taiwan? Better to have it watching the Commies than sitting in mothballs.