USS Tucson leadership visits Tucson | Arts & Culture

Commander James "Ted" O'Harrah, Chief of the Boat Tyrone "Scott" Oien and Lieutenant Phillip Diette of the USS Tucson arrived Tuesday to visit the city in which their submarine was named after, Tucson AZ. 

They were greeted and toured by the 770 Club, which supports their efforts within our Tucson community. 

The USS Tucson (SSN-770) is the second United States Navy ship to be bear Tucson's name.  She was commissioned on September 9, 1995 and her home port is in Pearl harbor, Hawaii.  The USS Tucson is the 59th Los Angeles class attack submarine and the 20th of the Improved-Los Angeles class attack submarines to be built. 

Submarines of the Los Angeles class are the most advanced vessels in the world. The USS Tucson and her crew have had deployments in support of the Operations in the Gulf and are preparing for the possibility of more. 

Depending on deployment schedules, the Skipper of the USS Tucson and his crew will visit Tucson to pay homage to the city of the submarine's namesake.  As per tradition, a dinner is had at the El Charro Cafe each visit.  The galley on board the submarine was named on behalf of the El Charro Cafe as the "El Charro DownUnder". 

At last night's dinner, representatives and gifts were presented from Rosemont Copper Mine, El Charro Cafe, Tucson Padres, Tucson Police Department and Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce's Military Affairs Committee. Commander Orvik of Tucson's Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC), Mayor Bob Walkup and the 770 committee were there to welcome and show their support.

The local USS Tucson 770 Club is chaired by Gary Bartlett and co-chaired by Ben Buehler-Garcia.  They are open to new membership as well as donations.  More information can be obtained on their website www.usstucson770club.org.