Overview
- Virginia, which returned Monday after a six‑month deployment, arrived at Naval Submarine Base New London on Aug. 3 following operations in the U.S. European Command area.
- The boat stayed on station through three extended national taskings, steamed more than 36,000 nautical miles, and made a port call to Tromsø, Norway, in support of Arctic and North Atlantic operations.
- Cmdr. Jeremy Wheelis and Submarine Squadron 4 commander Capt. Thomas Flaherty said the crew executed demanding missions that demonstrated the Virginia‑class fast‑attack submarine’s multi‑mission capabilities.
- The deployment produced concrete personnel results: 46 sailors earned their submarine warfare devices, five sailors welcomed new babies, and families joined traditional pier‑side first‑kiss and first‑hug reunions on return.
- Virginia will enter post‑deployment maintenance and crew rest as the Navy emphasizes maintaining forward undersea presence and interoperability with partners across the region.