USS Houston (SSN 713) left Naval Base Kitsap Silverdale on Dec. 3 in route to her new homeport in Apra Harbor, Guam, where she will join two other fast attack submarines assigned to Submarine Squadron Fifteen.

Houston arrived at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility three years ago. The ship completed an Engineered Refueling Overhaul and Alteration Installation Team availability-the largest ever performed on the 688-class submarine. 

Houston was to undergo a total of 32 ship alterations during its stay at PSNS and IMF. AIT teams from Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, PSNS and IMF, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Keyport, and U.S. Naval Fleet Technical Support Center Pacific were assigned to the USS Houston project.

PSNS and IMF were assigned as the Lead Maintenance Activity for the overall accomplishment of all work and testing. The teams worked to upgrade systems for sonar, fire control and navigation. PSNS and IMF simultaneously upgraded the lockers, ventilation and piping associated with these system upgrades.

Ship’s force personnel provided outstanding support throughout the availability.  The project relied upon the crew to ensure the right conditions were in place to complete the necessary alterations.

“Ship’s force support was excellent in maintaining ship conditions and supporting work controls for all the AIT teams and PSNS and IMF work during this availability,” explained Jim Corbin, PSNS and IMF Houston Project Superintendent. “This amount of work would not have come off so smoothly without the dedicated efforts of the crew,” he added.

The availability was completed Nov. 23. The standards and expectations set by Corbin and the ship’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Chris Kaiser, were established early in the availability. 

“Cmdr. Kaiser and I were focused on the same goals for completing this availability and we held our teams to those standards from the start,” said Corbin. “The captain ensured his crew and ship were always ready to support the necessary work or testing around the clock. At the same time the crew conducted necessary training to become proficient with their new equipment. Ship’s force personnel with PSNS and IMF, and all AIT’s functioned as one team, with the common goal of upgrading Houston and sending its crew on their mission and to their new homeport,” said Corbin.

According to STSCM(SS) Scott Weaver, Houston chief of the boat, the crew has really enjoyed their stay in Washington state.

“A lot of the crew have really gotten used to the area. It’s absolutely beautiful here but I know the crew is anxious to be operational again so we’re looking forward to moving on,” he said. “The morale on the boat is exceptional- especially for what we’ve been doing for the last three years,” Weaver added. 

On Nov. 28, Rear Adm. Melvin G. Williams, Jr., commander, Submarine Group Nine, rode USS HOUSTON while it transited from PSNS to NBK Silverdale. According to Williams the ride signified the ship’s first step in rejoining the fleet.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome USS Houston and its crew back to the operational Navy,” said Williams. “I’d also like to wish you fair winds and following seas as you move onto your new homeport in Guam.”

USS Houston is the 26th submarine in the Los Angeles class and the eighth ship in the class built by Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va.