USS Minnesota returns in time for the holidays
December 19, 2019 11:00 pm
• Last Updated: December 21, 2019 8:51 am
Commander Jason Grizzle, senior deputy for Submarine Squadron 4, wears the Santa suit Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, as the USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Conn., following a six-month deployment to the northern European theater of operations. The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain; Faslane, Scotland; and Haaksnservn, Norway, during the deployment. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
A chill wind across the pier could not dampen the enthusiasm for those gathered for the homecoming of the USS Minnesota (SSN 783) following a six-month deployment on Friday in Groton.
The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia-class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain, Faslane, Scotland, and Haaksnservn, Norway during the deployment.
The crew of 149 came ashore in waves, with the traditional first kiss between Chief Petty Officer Kyle McGregor and his wife BCarinna, and first hug between Petty Officer first class Zachery Blattenberg and his family kicking off the festivities.
During the deployment 39 members of the crew earned their Dolphins as qualified submariners.
Meaghan, left, and Ellie Akerhurst give a cheer as their brother, petty officer 2nd class Matthew Akerhurst and the USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to the U.S. Navy submarine base in Groton, Conn., Friday, December 20, 2019 following a six-month deployment to the norther European theater of operations. The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia-class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain, Faslane, Scotland, and Haaksnservn, Norway during the deployment. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Elizabeth Evans, left, wife of Lt. junior grade Alexander Evans, stretches to get a peek as his submarine, the USS Minnesota (SSN 783), returns to the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Conn., on Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, following a six-month deployment to the northern European theater of operations. The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia-class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain; Faslane, Scotland; and Haaksnservn, Norway, during the deployment. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Cynthia Galaraza, center, points out the USS Minnesota (SSN 783) to her daughters Madelyn, 9, and Yazmine, 7, as son Orlando, 17, back right, peers into the sun as the submarine returns to the U.S. Navy submarine base in Groton, Conn., Friday, December 20, 2019 following a six-month deployment to the norther European theater of operations. The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia-class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain, Faslane, Scotland, and Haaksnservn, Norway during the deployment. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
The wife and daughters of Cmdr. Thomas Flaherty, commanding officer of the USS Minnesota (SSN 783), Melissa Flaherty, and Linda, 7, and Margaret, 4, pose for a photo as the sub returns to the U.S. Navy submarine base in Groton, Conn., Friday, December 20, 2019 following a six-month deployment to the norther European theater of operations. The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia-class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain, Faslane, Scotland, and Haaksnservn, Norway during the deployment. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Mary and Patrick McCann watch as the USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns with their son-in-law Lt. Taylor Compton, to the U.S. Navy submarine base in Groton, Conn., Friday, December 20, 2019 following a six-month deployment to the norther European theater of operations. The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia-class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain, Faslane, Scotland, and Haaksnservn, Norway during the deployment. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
The USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to the U.S. Navy submarine base in Groton, Conn., Friday, December 20, 2019 following a six-month deployment to the norther European theater of operations. The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia-class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain, Faslane, Scotland, and Haaksnservn, Norway during the deployment. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Capt. Andrew Miller, left, commodore for Submarine Squadron 4, and squadron Command Master Chief Josh Sturgill lead U.S. Naval Submarine Base personnel in a cheer Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, as the USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to Groton, Conn., following a six-month deployment to the northern European theater of operations. The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain; Faslane, Scotland; and Haaksnservn, Norway, during the deployment. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Commander Jason Grizzle, Senior Deputy for Submarine Squadron 4, wears the Santa suit as the USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to the U.S. Navy submarine base in Groton, Conn., Friday, December 20, 2019 following a six-month deployment to the norther European theater of operations. The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia-class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain, Faslane, Scotland, and Haaksnservn, Norway during the deployment. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
A crewman aboard the USS Minnesota (SSN 783) peers from the main hatch as the sub returns to the U.S. Navy submarine base in Groton, Conn., Friday, December 20, 2019 following a six-month deployment to the norther European theater of operations. The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia-class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain, Faslane, Scotland, and Haaksnservn, Norway during the deployment. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Members of the crew of the USS Minnesota (SSN 783) head down the pier to greet their loved ones as the submarine returns to the U.S. Navy submarine base in Groton, Conn., Friday, December 20, 2019 following a six-month deployment to the norther European theater of operations. The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia-class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain, Faslane, Scotland, and Haaksnservn, Norway during the deployment. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Cmdr. Thomas Flaherty, right, commanding officer of the USS Minnesota (SSN 783) is embraced by his daughters Linda, 7, and Margaret, 4, as his boat returns to the U.S. Navy submarine base in Groton, Conn., Friday, December 20, 2019 following a six-month deployment to the norther European theater of operations. The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia-class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain, Faslane, Scotland, and Haaksnservn, Norway during the deployment. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Petty Officer 2nd class Nick Ciambotti is is greeted by his daughter Margot, 3, and wife Molly, right, as the USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to the U.S. Navy submarine base in Groton, Conn., Friday, December 20, 2019 following a six-month deployment to the norther European theater of operations. The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia-class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain, Faslane, Scotland, and Haaksnservn, Norway during the deployment. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Lt. Robert Schroer gets a kiss from his wife, Auston, as the USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Conn., on Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, following a six-month deployment to the northern European theater of operations. The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain; Faslane, Scotland; and Haaksnservn, Norway, during the deployment. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Nichole Longo shields her face from the cold as she waits for her husband, Petty Officer Mike Longo, to be relived of duty and come ashore as the USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to the U.S. Navy submarine base in Groton, Conn., Friday, December 20, 2019 following a six-month deployment to the northern European theater of operations. "The waiting is unbelievable," Nicole Longo commented. The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia-class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain, Faslane, Scotland, and Haaksnservn, Norway during the deployment. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
Mackenzie Burton, 5, dances on the pier as her father, Petty Officer 1st Class Miles Burton holds her sister Amelia, 3, and her mother, Sara, right, and Miles' girlfriend, Jaii Colon, back center, join the celebration Friday, Dec. 20, 2019, as the USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to the U.S. Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Conn., following a six-month deployment to the northern European theater of operations. The Minnesota, the 10th vessel in the Virginia class of nuclear-powered attack submarines, made port calls in Rota, Spain; Faslane, Scotland; and Haaksnservn, Norway, during the deployment. (Sean D. Elliot/The Day) Buy Photo Reprints
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