Fast-Attack Sub Arrives in Portsmouth for Overhaul

The USS Alexandria (SSN 757) and her crew of 13 officers and 120 sailors arrived at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Wednesday for a scheduled overhaul and maintenance, according to shipyard officials.

Danna Eddy, a shipyard public affairs officer, said the Naval nuclear submarine will "complete various maintenance work and several system upgrades. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is committed to maximizing the material readiness of the Fleet by safely delivering first-time quality, on-time and on-budge."

Eddy noted in a shipyard press release that Alexandria is the third ship of the United States Navy to bear the name that is shared by the cities of both Louisiana and Virginia and the seventh "Improved" Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered submarine. 

She said the improved modifications of this class include retractable bow planes, a reinforced sail for under ice operations, vertical launch Tomahawk Cruise Missile capability, ship quieting enhancements, and an integrated combat systems suite. Assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, Alexandria was commissioned June 29, 1991, and is homeported in Groton, Conn.  

Eddy said the Alexandria recently conducted a six-month deployment from October 2012 through April 2013 to the U.S. Africa Command and European Command areas of responsibility where it executed the nation's maritime strategy in supporting national security interests and national security operations.  During the deployment, Alexandria covered more than 34,000 nautical miles.

Alexandria’s Commanding Officer, Commander Bret M. Grabbe earned a bachelor’s of science in Electrical Engineering from Kansas State University and was commissioned in September 1996, according to Eddy. He holds a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.

Eddy said that Cmdr. Grabbe’s operational assignments include tours of duty on the nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine USS Alaska (SSBN 732), and nuclear-powered fast attack submarines USS Memphis (SSN 691) and USS Providence (SSN 719).

She also noted that sshore, Cmdr. Grabbe served at Nuclear Power Training Unit, Ballston Spa, NY, and Commander Submarine Development Squadron TWELVE, Groton, Conn.. 

On Aug 1, 2013, Cmdr. Grabbe assumed command of USS Alexandria (SSN 757), according to Eddy. She added that Alexandria’s host community is the City of Biddeford, ME.