USS Pasadena (SSN-752)

USS "Pasadena" (SSN-752), a "Los Angeles"-class submarine, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Pasadena, California.

The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 30 November 1982 and her keel was laid down on 20 December 1985. She was launched on 12 September 1987 sponsored by Mrs. Pauline Trost, and commissioned on 11 February 1989 with Commander W. Fritchman in command.

"Pasadena's" insignia is surrounded by a mooring line border with blue background, emphasizing the nautical character of the seal. The surrounding banner carries the ship's hull number and name and bracketed by the motto. The motto, in addition to enhancing the central combative caricature, states in clear terms the readiness of today’s force to fight anywhere in the world on short notice in the national interest. The red rose ties the ship to the City of Pasadena, home of the New Year’s Day Tournament of Roses Parade, which dates back more than 100 years. The turtle pugilist ties SSN-752 to "Pasadena" (CL-65), a World War II light cruiser that earned six battle stars. The emblem for CL-65 was created for the cruiser by Walt Disney.

Originally assigned to Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, "Pasadena" conducted an inter-fleet transfer in October 1990 to the Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and was homeported in San Diego, California.

In July 1991, "Pasadena" became the first Improved 688 Class submarine to deploy, commencing a six month Western Pacific deployment. In June 1993, she commenced a six month Western Pacific deployment to the Persian Gulf. While deployed, "Pasadena" participated in several exercises with the Royal Saudi, Omani and Australian Navies.

In March 1995, "Pasadena" again deployed on a six month Western Pacific Deployment. While deployed to the Persian Gulf she became the first United States SSN to conduct exercises with the Indian Navy; Fact|date=September 2008 the first nuclear powered submarine to visit the port of Muscat, Oman; the first to operate continuously inside the Persian Gulf; and the first SSN to be assigned to Commander, U.S. Fifth Fleet.

In April 1996, "Pasadena" changed homeports to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where she is now assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron Seven. From June 1996 to September 1996, "Pasadena" underwent a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) where she was outfitted with improved offensive and defensive weapon systems. In April 1997, "Pasadena" deployed to the Eastern Pacific for a four month deployment in support of UNITAS.

"Pasadena" provides the Fleet Commander or Task Force Commander a multi-mission platform. This vessel has unlimited endurance due to the nuclear propulsion plant, advanced sonar, torpedo, cruise missile, and mine delivery systems, a combination of speed and stealth due to quieting and the capacity to fulfill numerous missions.

"Pasadena" was awarded the Submarine Squadron Seven Battle "E" Efficiency award for 1998, which recognizes commands that have attained the highest overall or departmental readiness to carry out their wartime tasks. She was awarded the Morale and Welfare Recreation (MWR) Fleet Recreation award for the entire Navy in 2001.

In January 2005, she participated in Operation Unified Assistance.cite web
url=http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq130-4.htm
author=United States Navy
title=U.S. Navy Relief Efforts after the Indian Ocean Tsunami, 26 December 2004
accessdate=2006-08-09

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Popular culture

* "Pasadena" makes an appearance in Full Metal Panic.
* "Pasadena" is the center of the 1990 novel "Boomer"
* "Pasadena" is featured in the Tom Clancy novel "Executive Orders"

References