THE TENSION: Entire Crew of USS Scranton at Sea in New Navy Uniform

NORFOLK (Feb. 18, 2009) Cmdr. Wesley R. Guinn, commanding officer of the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Scranton (SSN 756), and Chief of the Boat Master Chief Machinist's Mate Steven Nordman inspect the crew in the new Navy working uniform. Scranton is the first submarine all crew members equipped with the new uniforms. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Todd A. Schaffer.)

Focus on Defense:

NORFOLK, Feb. 23, 2009 -- The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Scranton (SSN 756) departed Naval Station Norfolk's Pier 3, Feb. 20, as part of the Eisenhower Strike Group, with the entire crew wearing the newly released Navy working uniform.

Sailors in the Tidewater area are the first in the fleet to wear the working uniform.

While only in port for 19 days following Scranton's last period at sea, the entire crew was able to purchase the uniforms and have them tailored to fit in time to deploy. Many of the Sailors took advantage of ordering name tags online, enabling them to complete their uniforms even quicker.

"Scranton's accomplishment is 100 percent leadership from the chief's quarters," said Chief of the Boat, Master Chief Machinist's Mate Steven Nordman. "We knew the uniform change was coming, but our decision was based on our deployment schedule and we had to be ready."

Following Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick West's emphasis on the chief petty officer community's role in training the crew for the uniform change, Scranton's chiefs established a plan that began in November, 2008, with training the crew in proper wear and financial planning for the change.

"I like it better than the utilities. It's better in the cold weather and it has more pockets," said Fire Control Technician Seaman Kelly Fisher of Sherman, Texas. "It was a bit tough with the financial issues, but the chiefs trained us to prepare for the cost."

"I've never had a jacket this warm," said Sonar Technician 3rd Class David Weist of Breezewood, Pa. "It really helped while on watch in the cold."

While deployed, Scranton will be conducting missions related to the Maritime Strategy, and will execute tasking that supports U.S. European Command's Theater Security Cooperation Plan for increased multi-national Maritime Domain Awareness, as well as tasking related to vital U.S. national interests.

Attack submarines like Scranton are multi-mission capable – able to deploy and support special forces operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary's military and economic operations at sea, provide early strike from close proximity and ensure undersea superiority.

Scranton is 360 feet long, displaces 6,900 tons of water and can travel in excess of 20 knots.

(Report by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Todd A. Schaffer, Commander, Submarine Force Public Affairs.)