Home from the Front

USS Key West Returns from Operation Iraqi Freedom

Los Angeles class attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722), one of four Pacific Fleet submarines to strike at targets in Iraq during the Operation Iraqi Freedom, returns to her home port in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Key West left for deployment on January 24, 2003 and was in the Arabian Gulf when coalition forces began the initial strike against various targets in Iraq. In addition to participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Key West was the first US warship on station during the initial phase of Operation Enduring Freedom and participated in strike missions into Afghanistan. As a result of the operations, the commanding officer, Commander Chuck Merkel, became the first submarine skipper since World War II to lead his crew in back-to-back combat operations.
Photo by PM2 Dennis C. Cantrell

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (July 24, 2003) -- Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722), one of four Pacific Fleet submarines to strike at targets in Iraq in Operation Iraqi Freedom, returned to its homeport of Pearl Harbor July 24th.

USS Key West (SSN 722) returns from deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Photo by PM2 Dennis C. Cantrell

Key West left for deployment January 24th and was in the Arabian Gulf when coalition forces began the initial strike against various targets in Iraq. In addition to participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom, Key West was one of the first US warships on station during the initial phase of Operation Enduring Freedom and participated in the strike mission into Afghanistan.

Photo by PM2 Dennis C. Cantrell

“I’m proud of my entire crew. They trained really hard and we were ready when the call came. Our crew performed flawlessly in combat. We launched Tomahawk cruise missiles into Iraq at specified targets, so forces ashore would have less resistance. In October 2001, we also launched Tomahawk missiles into Afghanistan as a part of Operation Enduring Freedom,” said Commanding Officer Commander Chuck Merkel.

Merkel has the unique distinction of being the only submarine commander who has led his crew into back-to-back operations since World War II. “It’s quite an honor. It’s what happens when you train a crew, get them ready to do their mission and when the call comes, it’s just like the training,” Merkel said.

According to Merkel, training is the key to preparing for war. “The real thing is so much like the training that there is no real difference, other than you throw the final switches, the weapons fire and you watch them fly away. As we left Pearl Harbor in January, we had been training specifically for events in Iraq, we trained during the transit all the way there. When the time came, it was just like another training event.”

Photo by PM2 Dennis C. Cantrell

Captain William Toti, Commander, Submarine Squadron 3, was extremely pleased with the ship’s performance. “I’m intensely proud of this ship. They performed magnificently, not just this year in Operation Iraqi Freedom, but also in Operation Enduring Freedom. This is the only submarine in my squadron that shot in both wars. They did a fantastic job both times. They have the spirit and the heart and they are very proud to have defended their country twice in two years. Two times their country called on them and two times they met the challenge,” said Toti.

Photo by JOC David Rush

One proud family member, Becky Shepard, was waiting patiently for her husband, Lieutenant Ken Shepard. In her arms was their two-month old baby girl Kara. He has only seen photos and video of her. “There are no words to describe it; it’s wonderful, spectacular. He has seen pictures of our baby, but of course, it’s not the same as seeing her in person. I’m glad they did their job and I’m glad they’re home,” said Shepard.

Linehandlers aboard the Los Angeles class attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722) secure the submarine's mooring lines after arriving in their homeport of Pearl Harbor. Photo by PM Airman Benjamin D. Glass

For one Sailor who is glad to be home, this was a milestone in his Navy career. He is 22-years old, and has been in the Navy for just two years. Fire Control Technician Seaman David G. Young, a native of Greenville, South Carolina, was on watch when the call came to go to war.

“I was on watch in the Vertical Launch Center, where we open the hatches and prepare the missiles to be shot. They are actually launched from the Tactical Center. It was tense, but everyone was ready to go,” said Young.

As for getting to be part of the action, Young and his fellow Sailors were glad to be able to contribute to Operation Iraqi Freedom. “You sit out there for a long time and you finally get to do something. I feel proud. We did a good job. We’ve been hearing a lot of good things being said about us,” said Young.

As for his first deployment, Young was glad to be a part of something he will never forget. “This is my first deployment. It’s a good way to start out. Most Sailors don’t get a chance to do what we have done. I got to do it my first time. You can’t beat that.

Yeoman 1st Class Michael Donkersloot is greeted by his two-year-old daughter upon his return to Pearl Harbor. Photo by JOC David Rush (Mom's Note: There is an additional photo of Donkersloot and his daughter in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin article below.)

Key West is the 35th Los Angeles-class submarine and was commissioned September 12, 1987. Designed for carrier escort, the Los Angeles-class submarine combines the most desired attack qualities, including speed, silence, and powerful weaponry. Key West can be armed with MK-48 and ADCAP torpedoes and the Tomahawk cruise missile.

The Tomahawk missile can be launched using the ship's torpedo tubes, or in the case of later ships of the class, from any of 12 vertical launch tubes located forward of the sail. Los Angeles-class submarines with the Vertical Launch System represent the very latest in submarine design and technology.

Electronics Technician 1st Class Michael Gray and his five-year-old son reunite as the Los Angeles class attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722) returns to its homeport of Pearl Harbor. Photo by JOC David Rush

As an attack submarine, Key West combines stealth, endurance and mobility giving it multi-mission capability by providing early strike capability from close proximity while maintaining undersea superiority.

by JOC (SW/AW) David Rush

Rear Admiral John Padgett (right), Commander, US Submarine Force, Pacific, greets Commander Chuck Merkel, commanding officer of the Los Angeles class attack submarine USS Key West (SSN 722), after the submarine’s return to its homeport of Pearl Harbor. Photo by JOC David Rush

US Navy

 

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Pearl Harbor Sub Returns from Iraq Duty

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (July 24, 2003) -- The USS Key West returned home to Pearl Harbor yesterday after taking part in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Michael Donkersloot, left, raised his daughter Charlotte in jubilation. Photo by F.L. Morris

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (July 24, 2003) -- 138 sailors from the nuclear submarine USS Key West returned to Pearl Harbor yesterday after a six-month deployment that included launching Tomahawk missiles into Iraq.

At Pearl Harbor, Navy Commander Chuck Merkel, skipper of the USS Key West, said a well-trained crew enabled him to make history by being the first submarine commanding officer since World War II to lead back-to-back combat operations.

He said that nearly 60 of the 138 sailors were on the Key West when it launched Tomahawk missiles into Afghanistan in the retaliatory raids following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (July 24, 2003) -- James Nixon was kissed by his wife, Salina, as their children looked on. Photo by F.L. Morris

When the Iraq war began in March, 2003, the Key West was one of four Pearl Harbor submarines to strike targets in Iraq.

Merkel cannot say the exact number of missiles the Key West fired. However, past reports have quoted Navy officials saying that about 300 of the more than 800 Tomahawk missiles fired during Operation Iraqi Freedom came from submarines.

Petty Officer Cody Hollingsworth served as a nuclear mechanic on the Key West on the two historic voyages. Asked to cite differences between the two voyages, Hollingsworth said "there wasn't really much . . . just a lot of excitement."

Excerpts from article by Gregg K. Kakesako

Honolulu Star-Bulletin