WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Sub returns home after record tour (Groton-WTNH) _ The crew of the USS Pittsburgh is glad to have their heads above water after six long months at sea. It was an extraordinary voyage back to Groton. The crew was originally scheduled to train in the North Atlantic, but was was diverted to the Persian Gulf for potential action. They spent the first 90-days without stopping to re-supply or even stretch their legs. News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports. Six month deployments are never easy. of course some are more difficult than others. just ask the crew of the USS Pittsburgh. they hardly even stepped foot off the boat! Cmdr. Paul Bushong, USS Pittsburgh: "Well it's a big deal because it hasn't happened in a while... We were at sea 85% of the time, which is higher than normally." Much higher. In fact, they went from Groton straight to Bahrain. It took 90 days. Most of that time they were below the surface. No sun light. No fresh air. No letters from home. Chief Petty Officer Chris Schlegel, USS Pittsburgh: "We do get on each others nerves a lot, and we blow off steam in different ways, some exercise, some will go read." While sailors like Schlegel were trying to forget they were under the ocean, Ken Finley was worrying about supplies. The sub can make its own air and water, but food is another matter. Lt. Ken Finley, Supply Officer: "We had to stretch some of our meals out and serve things that weren't some of the favorites, like 'turkey a la king' wasn't a favorite and some of the crew frowned on that." But now there are no more frowns. the long lonely nights at sea are over for now and crewmembers are back with their loved ones. As for the 90-day marathon voyage most of them will tell you modestly it's all part of the job. Lt. Cmdr. Mike Haumer, USS Pittsburgh: "It's almost like working in a building all day, most people don't get outside so you kinda get used to it. "On the whole, I think the guys did a great job and handled it very well." The crew did get a chance to get off the boat on occasion, visiting ports in Israel, Italy, and Portugal. From here the crew is on 30-day 'stand-down', essentially 30 days off. It'll be an opportunity for them to get reaquainted with their families and to enjoy being back on solid ground. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Sub returns home after record tour
(Groton-WTNH) _ The crew of the USS Pittsburgh is glad to have their heads above water after six long months at sea. It was an extraordinary voyage back to Groton. The crew was originally scheduled to train in the North Atlantic, but was was diverted to the Persian Gulf for potential action. They spent the first 90-days without stopping to re-supply or even stretch their legs.
News Channel 8's Peter Standring reports.

Six month deployments are never easy. of course some are more difficult than others. just ask the crew of the USS Pittsburgh. they hardly even stepped foot off the boat!

Cmdr. Paul Bushong, USS Pittsburgh: "Well it's a big deal because it hasn't happened in a while... We were at sea 85% of the time, which is higher than normally."

Much higher. In fact, they went from Groton straight to Bahrain. It took 90 days. Most of that time they were below the surface. No sun light. No fresh air. No letters from home.

Chief Petty Officer Chris Schlegel, USS Pittsburgh: "We do get on each others nerves a lot, and we blow off steam in different ways, some exercise, some will go read."

While sailors like Schlegel were trying to forget they were under the ocean, Ken Finley was worrying about supplies. The sub can make its own air and water, but food is another matter.

Lt. Ken Finley, Supply Officer: "We had to stretch some of our meals out and serve things that weren't some of the favorites, like 'turkey a la king' wasn't a favorite and some of the crew frowned on that."

But now there are no more frowns. the long lonely nights at sea are over for now and crewmembers are back with their loved ones. As for the 90-day marathon voyage most of them will tell you modestly it's all part of the job.

Lt. Cmdr. Mike Haumer, USS Pittsburgh: "It's almost like working in a building all day, most people don't get outside so you kinda get used to it.
"On the whole, I think the guys did a great job and handled it very well."

The crew did get a chance to get off the boat on occasion, visiting ports in Israel, Italy, and Portugal.

From here the crew is on 30-day 'stand-down', essentially 30 days off. It'll be an opportunity for them to get reaquainted with their families and to enjoy being back on solid ground.

Today's News Page.

WTNH Home Page.