WESTPAC 1998

USS KEY WEST (SSN 722) RETURNS VICTORIOUSLY

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (December 18, 1998) -- The nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722), commanded by Commander W. H. Hilarides, returned to Pearl Harbor after a deployment to the Western Pacific (WESTPAC). This represented the first deployment for more than twenty members of the crew and the second WESTPAC deployment for the submarine since joining the Pacific Fleet in the fall of 1996.

During the deployment, USS Key West participated in FOAL EAGLE 98, Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX), and a torpedo exercise. FOAL EAGLE is a regularly scheduled training exercise comprised of Republic of Korea (ROK) and US forces, held at a variety of locations in and around the ROK. Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) is a combined exercise composed of Japan and US naval forces, conducted in the Sea of Japan.

After ANNUALEX, USS Key West distinguished itself as the first submarine to conduct MK48 ADCAP exercise torpedo firings in foreign waters. To observe the historic torpedo exercise Rear ADM Krol, Commander, Submarine Group SEVEN, embarked on USS Key West. Three Korean naval officers were also onboard to assist and observe the exercise firings.

Between exercises, the crew relaxed with port visits in Chinhae, South Korea; Yokosuka, Japan; Sasebo, Japan; and Guam. During the Thanksgiving inport period in Sasebo, 25 Sailors volunteered to clean up a local nursing home and conducted tours for several US Department of Defense employees, students, and US Navy personnel.

Commander Submarine Force, US Pacific Fleet Press Release