Seawolf arrives at new base in Bremerton

Seawolf arrives at new base in Bremerton

The Associated Press.

Posted : Monday Jul 23, 2007 21:42:21 EDT

BREMERTON, Wash. — Serenaded by a five-piece Navy band and greeted by balloon-toting children, the fast attack submarine Seawolf arrived at its new base Sunday.

Seawolf was nudged into the pier by tugboats, the first of two fast attack subs to arrive at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton from Groton, Conn.

With a crew of 140, the 353-foot sub is the first to be based in Bremerton, although many others have visited the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for maintenance, overhauls and repairs.

Chief Petty Officer Arnulfo Salinas, winner of the traditional first kiss, was greeted by his wife Maryann, daughter Samantha, 11, and son Aaron, 19, all of whom last saw him in February.

“It’s always a thrill when he comes home,” Aaron Salinas said. “There are no goodbyes, just hug, hug, hug, ‘See you later.’ When he comes home, it’s a bigger hug.”

Also being transferred to Bremerton is the submarine Connecticut under a decision to move 60 percent of the Navy’s firepower to the Pacific. The Connecticut was expected to leave Groton within days for a six-month deployment before arriving in Bremerton.

Capable of 35 knots, fast attack submarines are designed to seek and destroy enemy subs and surface ships, launch Tomahawk cruise missiles to hit shore targets and conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

Their armament also includes MK-48 torpedoes and Harpoon missiles.

Find Navy Times article here.