USS Buffalo Back at Naval Base Guam After 11-Week Deployment

Fast attack submarine USS Buffalo (SSN 715) returned home to Naval Base Guam, on Sept. 29, after an 11-week deployment conducting 7th Fleet operational tasks.

This deployment, which included several multinational exercises, community relations projects is Southeast Asia, and missions vital to national security, was the last operational period for USS Buffalo while assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen.

“We feel really good to be home. During this deployment we showed hard work, initiative and carried out our missions in a very professional manner,” said Chief of the Boat (COB), Machinist’s Mate Master Chief (SS) Vance McKinsey.

Of those who showed up for the homecoming, 11 friends and family members were allowed to board the tug and had a chance to be apart of the ship and crew’s arrival home.

“I missed him,” said Jennifer Villasana, speaking about her husband, Sonar Technician (Submarine) First Class Edmund Villasana. “Even though he was out to sea, he was very supportive in his emails. Also, having wonderful friends around me made [this deployment period] easy.”

With their operation period complete, USS Buffalo expects to conduct a change of homeport in early 2013 to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii to perform a major maintenance and overhaul availability while dry-docked.