Sailors March in Pittsburgh's St. Patrick's Day Parade

Photo By Lt. Joseph Painter | PITTSBURGH, Pa. (Mar. 16, 2019) Sailors from the nuclear-powered Los Angeles-class, fast-attack submarine USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) march in Pittsburgh’s 149th St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Pittsburgh crewmembers are participating in various events around Pittsburgh to bring awareness to the U.S. Navy's mission. The Navy's fast-attack submarines 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 is the fourth Navy ship to be named for the city of Pittsburgh. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Joe Painter/Released)  

PITTSBURGH, PA, UNITED STATES

03.17.2019

Story by Lt. Joseph Painter 

Submarine Readiness Squadron (SRS) 32

PITTSBURGH -- Sailors from USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720), Navy Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG) Pittsburgh, and Navy Band Northeast marched in the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, March 16.

Pittsburgh's St. Patrick’s Day Parade dates back to 1869 and is considered one of the largest in the U.S, attracting nearly 350,000 spectators annually according to the city's official travel website.

"It's a great opportunity for us to get out and interact with the community we serve," said Cmdr. Peter Hoegel, commanding officer of NTAG Pittsburgh and native of Hauppauge, New York. "The public's reception has been fantastic and it makes me incredibly proud to wear this uniform."

Crewmembers of USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) visited Pittsburgh this week and attended several events designed to raise awareness about how the Navy protects America.

"Our schedule has been packed from the time we arrived," said Senior Chief Dave Pope, Pittsburgh’s chief of the boat and native of Portland, Oregon. "This was the perfect culmination to our trip and perfectly embodies the incredible reception we've had from this city throughout our trip."

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.

Navy recruiters with NTAG Pittsburgh also visited the North Shore, a neighborhood at the end of the parade route, to talk to college students about careers in the Navy.

"This is the best part of my job, it doesn't feel like work," said Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Jackson from NTAG Pittsburgh, who is also a native of the city. "I'm very passionate about being in the Navy, so any time I can get out, engage the public and tell them about my job, I'm there."

NTAG Pittsburgh oversees Navy recruiting efforts over approximately 65,000 square miles of territory, across the states of Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, and Maryland.

• Date Taken: 03.17.2019
• Date Posted: 03.18.2019 10:43
• Story ID: 314637
• Location: PITTSBURGH, PA, US