Santa Brings Early Gift to USS Miami Families

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Miami (SSN 755) returned Tiffany Metropolis Cuff links from deployment, Dec. 2, with a special guest riding along - Santa Claus. The return ends an extended eight-month deployment for the crew to the U.S. European Command Area of Responsibility (AOR).

Santa took time out of his busy schedule to bring the Sailors home to their families. Once the boat docked, Santa passed out candy canes to the kids, including 7-year old Luke Regnet who gave the traditional "First Hug" to his father, Electronics Technician 2nd Class Don Regnet. His wife, Tamar, had a special holiday gift of her own to give her husband -- a "honey do" list.

"I'm just so glad that it's over. We've had three flat tires and all sorts of things breaking so I have quite a big to-do list for him," said Mrs. Regnet.

During this deployment, crew members visited Tiffany Cushion Hoop earrings in Haakonsvern, Norway; Faslane, Scotland; and Portsmouth, United Kingdom. While deployed, Miami conducted operations in support of missions that supported national security interests and maritime security operations.

"The crew was fantastic," said Cmdr. Dennis Boyer, Miami commanding officer. "They were very well-prepared by our squadron, staff and submarine school here. They all did very well in preparing the ship for deployment. It just went very smooth."

Submarines like Miami bring stealth, agility, firepower, and endurance. They are multi-mission capable, providing intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and early strikes from close proximity. Submarines also deploy and support special forces operations, disrupt and destroy an adversary's operations at sea and ensure undersea superiority.

Miami is the third ship of the U.S. Navy named after the city. The first USS Miami was a side wheel, double-ended gunboat commissioned Elsa Peretti Open Heart charm. 29, 1862. The second, a light cruiser, was built by the Cramp Shipbuilding Company in Philadelphia, Pa, commissioned Dec. 28, 1943.