These are amazing people who rallied together. “I want to specifically point out the incredible toughness and resiliency of the Seawolf spouses. Gary Montalvo, commander, Submarine Development Squadron (DEVRON) 5. The Seawolf is the premier apex predator that has prowled the Pacific since May,” said Capt. Their ability to remain in theater for seven plus months represents the asymmetric advantage that is our Submarine Force. “I am extremely proud of Seawolf’s performance while on deployment. These Sailors and their families have earned this reunion along with my deepest respect, gratitude, and appreciation.” The only thing that compares to these sacrifices are the family sacrifices. “They are an amazing crew who earned each others’ respect and they are more than ready to enjoy a return home to their families. The effort, energy, and sacrifices are never shown and their achievements are unspoken,” said Master Chief Sonar Technician (Submarines) Christopher Purdum, Seawolf’s Chief of the Boat. It is a satisfying sense of pride and accomplishment in each Seawolf Sailor's chilly PACNORWEST breath today. “When a submarine Sailor returns from a 217-day extended deployment, the feeling cannot be understood by someone who has not experienced it. While in Yokosuka, Seawolf hosted senior submarine officers from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. 7th Fleet area of operations and made port calls to Apra Harbor, Guam and Yokosuka, Japan. Steaming more than 55,000 nautical miles, Seawolf was deployed to the U.S. Seawolf departed its old homeport at Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton for a regularly scheduled deployment, during which the submarine and its crew performed a full spectrum of complex operations to include anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. Chief Information Systems Technician (Submarines) Petty Officer Mario Canas was greeted on the pier by his girlfriend and their child, who was born while Canas was on deployment. The ceremonial first hug was awarded to Chief Culinary Specialist (Submarines) William Harris and his wife. The ceremonial first kiss upon return to homeport was awarded to Sonar Technician (Submarines) 2nd Class Noah Nelson and his girlfriend. Returning home to our families in time for the holidays is a perfect ending to this seven month deployment. “To our families – we missed you and cannot thank you enough – we could not have achieved our successes without their unwavering support, patience, and sacrifices. Jeff Fassbender, Seawolf’s commanding officer. They faced every challenge of this deployment with energy and enthusiasm and absolutely crushed it,” said Cmdr. “I could not be more proud of this amazing crew.
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