North Dakota's Namesake Ship Returns Home After Six Month Deployment

GROTON, Conn. – The USS North Dakota (SSN 784) has completed its second six-month deployment and returned to the boat’s homeport at Naval Submarine Base, New London in Groton, Connecticut, Jan. 11.

The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine crew, commanded by Capt. Mark Robinson, was welcomed by a parking lot full of socially-distanced friends and families with signs and flowers, a welcoming that Robinson called a “great feeling” for him and his crew.

“I’m excited for each one of them,” Robinson said. “Deployment is always tough on families, but these families had to do it with the added stress of COVID, tropical storms, power outages, and snow storms on top of all the life events that usually make deployment stressful.”

Families waved signs and banners from their socially-distanced vehicles as the crew made their way off the boat after 186 days. But two lucky families were first in line.

210111-N-GR655-133 GROTON, Conn. (January 11, 2021) – Senior Chief Machinist’s Mate (Auxiliary) William Hayes greets his family during a homecoming event for the Virginia-class submarine USS North Dakota (SSN 784) at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn. Jan. 11. North Dakota returned to homeport from its second deployment in support of the Navy's maritime strategy - supporting national security interests and maritime security operations - in the 6th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Petty Officer Joshua Karsten/RELEASED)

210111-N-AY957-009 GROTON, Conn. (January 11, 2021) – The Virginia-class submarine USS North Dakota (SSN 784) arrives at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn. Jan. 11. North Dakota returned to homeport from its second deployment in support of the Navy's maritime strategy - supporting national security interests and maritime security operations - in the 6th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Christian Bianchi/RELEASED)

210111-N-EJ843-077 GROTON, Conn. (January 11, 2021) – A Sailor greets his family during a homecoming event for the Virginia-class submarine USS North Dakota (SSN 784) at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn. Jan. 11. North Dakota returned to homeport from its second deployment in support of the Navy's maritime strategy - supporting national security interests and maritime security operations - in the 6th Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jimmy Ivy III/RELEASED)