USS Pasadena Arrives in Virginia for Overhaul

A nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine named for the City of Roses arrived in the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) in Virginia to undergo a major overhaul in drydock, according to the U.S. Navy.

The USS Pasadena, a Los Angeles-class submarine that first took to sea in July 1991, was brought to the naval shipyard “to replace, repair and overhaul components throughout the boat,” the Navy said in a written statement.

Officials did not say how long the ship would be in drydock, although the project team got an “early start” over the past five months, performing duties that can be completed without the submarine being in drydock, such as battery changes and upgrading the vessel’s radar system.

NNSY Submarine Program Manager Pat Ensley said the team is working to get the USS Pasadena back out to sea as soon as possible.

“Given USS Pasadena’s importance to the Navy, our job is to make sure we get her out on time and ready so the fleet can put her to use in support of our national defense strategy,” he said.

Deputy Project Superintendent Lt. Cmdr. Tim Olson said plans have been in the works for a long time to make sure the overhaul goes smoothly.

“In fact, we have been working with the ship since last October to ensure we identify potential issues to minimize adding work late into the availability that can lead to delays,” he said. “This has also allowed us to better focus our efforts and find efficiencies, such as refining the work package, so we can minimize hull cuts.”

Project Superintendent Frank ‘Mule’ Williams said the “young, energetic” team was prepared for the massive undertaking.

“Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s team is ready, ship’s force is ready, and both the commanding officer, Cmdr. Sean Flanagan and I share the same desire to get the work done right so we can get Pasadena out of the yard and back to sea, where she belongs.”

The USS Pasadena, designated SSN 752, is the third naval vessel to be named for the city of Pasadena.

Its logo depicts a turtle in boxing gloves, as well as a Rose, in homage to its namesake.

The first Pasadena was a cargo ship, commissioned in May of 1928.

“She plied the treacherous waters between the United States and Europe, making several transatlantic crossings supplying critical material to the Allies in the closing year of World War I,” the Navy said in a written statement.

The second Pasadena was a light cruiser commissioned in June 1944. It participated in actions including the landing at Iwo Jima and took part in “continuous strikes against Japanese positions on Okinawa and Kyushu,” the statement said.

The ship was present during the Japanese surrender at Tokyo Bay and was awarded five battle stars stemming from service during World War II.

More information on the USS Pasadena is available online on the Navy’s Submarine Force Pacific website at https://www.csp.navy.mil/pasadena/About.