USS Santa Fe Visits Singapore During Western Pacific Deployment

SINGAPORE (NNS) -- Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) arrived in Singapore June 18 for a visit as a part of its deployment to the Western Pacific.

With a crew of approximately 150, Santa Fe will conduct a multitude of missions and showcase the endurance and flexibility of the submarine fleet.

"We are glad to be returning to the Republic of Singapore, one of our strongest and important partners in the region," said Cmdr. Timothy Poe, Santa Fe's commanding officer.

Santa Fe brings a full gamut of mission capability, expanding the 7th Fleet commander's ability to respond to a wide range of situations.

"Santa Fe is accustomed to operating for prolonged periods in high-contact, shallow-water environments while training the next generation of submariners in every mission area, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare," said Poe.

"The crew has worked very hard and deserves the outstanding liberty the Republic of Singapore provides," said Senior Chief Electronics Technician Juan Gonzales, Santa Fe's chief of the boat.

For nearly half of the crew this will be their first time in Singapore.

"I've heard great things about Singapore and look forward to the multicultural diversity it has to offer," said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Chris Compean.

Measuring more than 360 feet long and weighing more than 6,000 tons when submerged, Santa Fe is one of the stealthiest submarines in the world. Commissioned Jan. 8, 1994, Santa Fe is the 52nd ship of the Los Angeles class and is based out of Pearl Harbor.