Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) departed Naval Base Point Loma following the completion of an extended maintenance period, Nov. 7.

Oklahoma City exited the dry-docking selected restricted availability (DSRA) two weeks ahead of schedule and saved the Navy more than $4 million.

"I think the ship has set the standard for maintenance availabilities in the submarine force," said Cmdr. Thomas P. O'Donnell, commanding officer of Oklahoma City. "The relationship between our team and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard was invaluable to the success of the mission. We entered the availability as one team with compromise on both sides, so we could stay on track and ahead of schedule. They have become an instrument of success to get the ship back out to the forward-deployed force and ready to conduct our missions in the western Pacific."

Oklahoma City left her homeport of Guam in March to begin the maintenance period.

"My guys have been deployed since early March," said O'Donnell. "It's a big deal, because a nine-month deployment on a submarine is uncommon. It's a long time to be away from our families."

Following the DSRA, Oklahoma City completed sea and sound trials before starting the journey back home.

O'Donnell added sea trials are intended to verify all the maintenance conducted during the availability is safe for further use.

Oklahoma City was commissioned July 9, 1988. Measuring more than 360 feet long and displacing more than 6,300 tons, Oklahoma City has a crew of approximately 150 Sailors. Oklahoma City is capable of supporting various missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

Oklahoma City is one of four forward-deployed, Los Angeles-class submarines currently assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 15.

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