Photo By Lt. Joseph Painter | PITTSBURGH, Pa. (Mar. 14, 2019) Commanding officer of the nuclear-powered Los...... read more read more
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PITTSBURGH -- The commanding officer and crewmembers of USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) visited their ship’s namesake city, March 14-16.
The trip included several events around Pittsburgh, allowing residents and community influencers the opportunity to learn about the Navy and its fast-attack submarines.
“This trip is the perfect opportunity to engage with people who don’t normally get to see what their Navy does for them,” said Cmdr. Jason Deichler, Pittsburgh’s commanding officer and native of Scott Township, Pennsylvania. “Sharing my career with the community I grew up in, I hope that they walk away with a better understanding of the vital role our Navy plays in keeping our sea lanes open and its importance to national security.”
Pittsburgh Sailors visited the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, toured USS Requin (SS-481) with U.S. Submarine Veterans (USSVI) at the Carnegie Science Center, spoke at local schools, and met with Pittsburgh Steelers’ president Art Rooney II and his staff at Heinz Field.
The crew also spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates team president Frank Coonelly and his staff at PNC Park.
“We can’t do enough to thank members of our military for the sacrifice and the service they provide to all of us,” said Coonelly.
Deichler and Coonelly discussed the Navy’s role of protecting America at sea and shared team building tips.
“The opportunity to share some leadership tips about how to motivate and lead, and help to bring out optimum performance with elite young performers under enormous stress was fascinating,” said Coonelly. “There’s a lot of commonality between what we’re doing and what Jason and his team of 150 that need to work together on a submarine are doing.”
The Navy frequently conducts namesake visits throughout the country to enhance public awareness of its mission.
“Pittsburgh Sailors are some of the hardest workers I’ve ever been around and share the same kind of blue-collar spirit of this city,” said Deichler. “This boat, and its crews, have brought great pride to the Pittsburgh name, all over the world throughout its 34 years in service.”
The Pittsburgh Council of the Navy League of the United States hosted an award banquet to honor the crew of Pittsburgh and local area Sailors.
“Visits like this reconnect the public to the fact that the military is still out there doing things, the military is protecting them, but it also gives them a human face,” said Robert MacPherson, president of the Pittsburgh Council.
MacPherson addressed the Pittsburgh’s final deployment and eventual decommissioning.
“We will miss her, but we are also looking forward to what’s next, how we can continue to help and we are hoping the Navy will consider giving us another submarine,” said MacPherson.
The crew also visited the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office and marched in the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.
Fast-attack submarines like USS Pittsburgh are multi-mission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities - sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security, and deterrence. They are designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; deliver missiles and special operations forces ashore; conduct intelligence operations; and engage in mine warfare.
Pittsburgh was commissioned in 1985 and completed its final deployment in February. It is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to be named for the city of Pittsburgh.
| Date Taken: | 03.17.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 03.18.2019 10:46 |
| Story ID: | 314635 |
| Location: | PITTSBURGH, PA, US |
| Web Views: | 152 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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