HISTORY OF SHIPS NAMED HELENA
USS HELENA (SSN 725), named for the city of Helena, Montana, is the fourth
United States Ship to bear the name. The first was a light gunboat used during
the Spanish-American War and the Philippine Insurrection; the second was a light
cruiser deployed in the Pacific during the Second World War; the third was a heavy
cruiser that served in the Korean Conflict.
Commissioned on 8 July 1897
HELENA (PG 9) saw extensive action
in Cuban waters during the Spanish-
American War, exchanging gunfire with
the enemy batteries at Fort Tunas, Cuba.
She participated in the closing of the
Port of Manzanillo by sinking or
destroying eight enemy vessels on 18
July 1898. On 3 November 1898, she
sailed from Boston, Massachusetts for
the Philippines, where she provided
naval gunfire support during the
Philippine Insurrection.

The second HELENA (CL 50) was
commissioned on 18 September 1939
and was moored at 1010 Dock, Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii on the morning of 7
December 1941. Sustaining severe
damage from Japanese torpedo bombers,

she was repaired and returned to the Western Pacific where she earned seven battle
stars and the first Navy Commendation ever awarded. She was lost during the
American invasion of New Georgia when hit by three Japanese torpedoes in rapid
sequence. 739 of 908 crew members were rescued by various means.

Launched on 28 April 1945, the third HELENA (CA 75) was commissioned on 4
September 1945. She fought with pride during the Koren Conflict, earning four
battle stars and the first Korean Presidential Unit Citation awarded to a Naval unit.

Technology has dramatically changed the size and capabilities of Naval warships
since the original HELENA served in the Spanish-American War, but the mission of
USS HELENA (SSN 725) has not. That mission is to protect the interests of the
United States of America.

USS HELENA (SSN 725), a 688-class nuclear attack submarine, is the 37th ship of
the class and the fourth United States Ship to bear the name of the city of the
state of Montana. SSN 725's keel was laid 6 September 1984 at General Dynamics
Corporation, Electric Boat Division, Groton, Connecticut. She was launched 28 June
1986 and commissioned USS HELENA on 11 July 1987.

Page 11

USS HELENA (SSN 725)
The 37th Ship of the Los Angles Class

Launched 28 June 1986
Electric Boat Division of
General Dynamics Corporation

Commissioned 11 July 1987
Submarine Base, Groton, CT
Length:

Displacement: (Submerged)

Speed:

Depth:

Hull Diameter:

Draft:

Complement:
360 Feet

6927 Tons

25+ Knots Submerged

Greater than 800 Feet

33 Feet

32 Feet

19 Officers
128 Enlisted

Page 12



HISTORY OF USS HELENA (SSN 725)

After commissioning in 1987, USS HELENA
completed a rigorous shakedown schedule
following commissioning, then returned to
Electric Boat shipyard on 5 January 1988 for
a seven-month Post Shakedown Availability
(PSA). PSA was completed in August 1988
and the ship left Groton bound for Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii. USS HELENA passed
through the Panama Canal on the 15" of
September 1988 and chopped to the Pacific
Fleet four days later as the first Vertical

Launch System (VLS) LOS ANGELES class submarine to be stationed in Pearl
Harbor.

HELENA operated from Pearl Harbor in October of 1988, rapidly acquiring the
reputation as a "front line" fast attack submarine. The ship completed a Northern
Pacific operation in May of 1989, and her first six-month deployment to the Western
Pacific in March of 1990. }[ELENA the participated in RIMPAC 1990 and conducted
an Operational Test Launch (OTL) of the newly developed Tomahawk Cruise
Missile. In the first half of 1991, the ship completed two back-to-back Northern
Pacific Operations and MK50 Advanced Lightweight Torpedo Testing.

HELENA conducted her second six-month Western Pacific Deployment in
August of 1992, finalizing the year with an Eastern Pacific Deployment. In 1993, the
ship was the first U.S. submarine to serve in direct support of an Amphibious
Readiness Group's deployment certification. as preparations for HELENA's third
Western Pacific Deployment. The ship deployed in October of 1993 as a member of
the USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) Battle Group operating in the Western Pacific,
Indian Ocean, and Arabian Gulf before returning to Pearl Harbor in April of 1994.

In May of 1994, HELENA participated in RIMPAC 1994 and conducted
Prospective Commanding Officer operations. The remainder of 1994 was spent
completing her second Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) at Pearl Harbor Naval
Shipyard. USS HELENA was named the top submarine in Submarine Squadron
SEVEN for 1994 and was awarded the Battle Efficiency "E".

Upon completion of SRA, HELENA conducted local operations in the Pearl
Harbor Operations Area in work-up for her fourth Western Pacific deployment,
which was conducted from June to December of 1995.

In the year of 1996, HELENA conducted local operations in the Pearl Harbor
Operations Area. In early 1997, she completed her deployment work-up and
deployed from April to September of 1997, conducting her fifth Western Pacific deployment.

Immediately following her fifth deployment, HELENA conducted an inter-fleet
transfer to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire for a scheduled
one-year Depot Modernization Period (DMP). HELENA set the highest standard for
conducting a DMP. Commencing in March of 1998 and completing in March of
1999, HELENA became the success story for all subsequent DMPs to follow and was
the best DMP in over a decade, Navy-wide.

Upon completion of DMP, HELENA conducted an inter-fleet transfer to San
Diego, California in March of 1999. In October to November of 1999, HELENA
conducted a Northeastern Pacific deployment and was awarded a citation from the
Secretary of the Navy for the highly successful operation.

Page 13

On the 26`h of June 2000. HELENA departed on her sixth Western Pacific
deployment and visited Japan, Korea. Singapore, and Guam. During this period,
HELENA participated in the first multi-national submarine rescue exercise, Pacific
Reach 2000, with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force, Republic of Korea
Navy. and Republic of Singapore Navy.

In early 2001, HELENA conducted local training operations and services in the
Southern California Operations Area. In April and May of 2001 HELENA underwent
an intensive upkeep period during which the BQQ-10 ARCI Phase III SONAR
System was installed. In June 2001, HELENA conducted an Eastern Pacific
deployment and visited Astoria. Oregon. From July to October, HELENA performed
local operations in the California Operations Area. participating in a Joint Fleet
Training Exercise. USS ILELENA was named the top submarine in Submarine
Squadron ELEVEN for 2001 and was awarded a second Battle Efficiency "E".

In early 2002, HELENA completed an intensive upkeep period prior to
departing to the Western Pacific for her seventh deployment. From March to May of
2002 HELENA conducted highly successful Under-Ice Exercises and assisted in the
training of the USS KITTY HAWK Battle Group. HELENA visited Guam, Japan,
and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. From June to August of 2002, HELENA completed
installations of a completely new Fire Control system and upgrades to
communications equipment.

In the year 2003. HELENA conducted extensive acoustic testing of newly
installed equipment and completed a Western Pacific deployment visiting Korea,
Australia, and Japan. HELENA received her third Battle Efficiency "E" Award for
that calendar year from Submarine Squadron ELEVEN and was awarded a
Meritorious Unit Commendation.

In the year 2004, HELENA traveled from the Southern California area to the
Pacific Northwest in support of numerous Chief of Naval Operations projects and
assisted in training of the USS BELLEAU WOOD Expeditionary Strike Group, USS
ABRAHAM LINCOLN Carrier Strike Group, the USS CARL VINSON Strike
Group. and USS BONHOMME RICHARD Joint Fleet Exercises. HELENA also
provided services for testing the Navy's new MH-60R Helicopter, newly converted
USS GEORGIA (SSGN 729), and newly designed Submarine Escape Immersion
Equipment (SEIE).

In 2005, HELENA departed for her eighth Western Pacific deployment and
visited Guam, Singapore, and Japan. During this period, HELENA completed two
missions vital to national security and participated in a Joint Air and Sea Exercise.

HELENA's unit awards include the COMCPACFLT Golden Anchor Award, the
Engineering Excellence "E" (Two Awards), the Tactical Operations Excellence
"T" (Two Awards). the Communications Excellence "E" (Two Awards), the
Navigation Red & Green "N", the Damage Control Red "DC", the Deck Seamanship
White '"D" (Two Awards), Supply Blue "E" (Three Awards), Battle Efficiency
"E" (Three Awards). Navy Expeditionary Medal (Five awards). National Defense
Service Medal (Two Awards), Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Global War
on Terrorism Service Medal.

Page 14

OFFICERS

LCDR KEVIN M. BYRNE
EXECUTIVE OFFICER 









LCDR NATHAN D. SHIFLETT	

 ENGINEER OFFICER                                       

 

LT GEORGE S. MAJOR	  

COMBAT SYSTEMS OFFICER		


     


LT GARTH A. JOHNSTON

NAVIGATOR



 LTJG ERIC A. MELO

SUPPLY OFFICER












LT PATRICK P. GALLAGHER	

LT LESTER 0. PATTERSON	

LT WESLEY N. SLAGLE	

LTJG ANTHONY J. CUNNEEN	

LTJG JUSTIN J. HOFF	

LTJG NGUYEN X. PHAM                                 

LTJG PATRICK M. LOBNER		


     





LTJG JEFFREY J. MORRISON

LTJG REGINALD N. PRESTON

LTJG ALBERT J. STOLZ

LTJG TERRY L. TURNER

.LTJG ANDREW B. TUTHILL

LTJG NOAH M. WHITE 






CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS


CMDCM (SS) CRISPIAN D. ADDINGTON

CHIEF OF THE BOAT











ETCM(SS/SW) RANDALL C. BEENE	

STSCS(SS) JONATHAN D. MILLER	

STSCS(SS) PAUL L. WOLLENBURG	

CSC(SS) DAVID J. EISNER	

ETC(SS/SW) CHRISTOPHER D. LMPERIO	

ETC(SS) CHRISTOPHER S. MASON	

MMC(SS/SW) FRANK W. STANGLER	

ETC(SS) JAMIE A. TOBIN		


     


MMCS(SS) TIMOTHY L. HULBERT

MMCS(SS/DV)RICHARD N. POINTER

MMC(SS) ALAIN D. DAO

MMC(SS) PHILIP W. HOUK

FTC(SS) WILLIAM W. JACOBSON

EMC(SS) SHANNON D. MCNIEL

YNC(SS) ANTHONY E. STEWART



Page 15
 











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