Commander visits sub's namesake

The fast-attack submarine that bears the name of Utah's capital city is dry docked in San Diego for at least the next eight months. But hundreds of feet below the sea, it can fire torpedoes or spy on the activities of surface ships, its commander said.

U.S. Navy Capt. Stephen G. Marr, commander of the USS Salt Lake City, and Brian Schell, chief of the ship, are in town until Thursday to discuss the submarine and its role in the war on terrorism. They've met with dignitaries, visited the Utah Legislature and listened to a performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Back in San Diego the 110 sailors and 15 officers are performing routine maintenance and training before the next deployment, expected by the end of this year or early 2004, Marr said.

The most recent 6-month deployment was in the Arabian Gulf during U.S. military action in Afghanistan. The Los Angeles class ship, which is assigned to Submarine Squadron 11, was the sole submarine to be deployed as part of the Stennis Battle Group, which included the aircraft and about 10 ships.

The USS Salt Lake City monitored boats and ships in the gulf for escaping members of al-Qaida, Marr said.

No weapons were fired from the submarine during that deployment, although it can be stocked with Tomahawk long range cruise missiles and anti-surface torpedoes, targeting land or other submarines, Marr said.

The submarine, 363 feet long and 33 feet in diameter, is equipped with SONAR, periscopes and a nuclear reactor to provide power to the ship.

"Every space in a submarine is used. You can have a bunk six inches away from a shower, then a computer," Marr said.

During the last deployment, the crew traveled one month before arriving in the Arabian Gulf. The submarine can travel at speeds greater 25 knots per hour, about 28 miles per hour, and greater than 800 feet below the sea. Specific numbers are classified, Marr said.

The submarine has to resurface about every 90 days to restock food. In the last deployment, the crew resurfaced in Bahrain twice, Marr said.

In an 18-month period, the crew goes out to sea for three to six months. The rest of the time is spent maintaining the ship and training, Schnell said.

"I cannot wait to deploy. It's good to finally get out there to do the job we've prepared for," said Schnell. "It's tough to be away."