Navy
GalleryUSS Indiana returns from deployment after 6 months, 42,000 nautical miles
Stars and Stripes
March 30, 2025
Petty Officer 3rd Class Christian Santiago, the winner of the traditional “first kiss,” embraces his wife, Sonia, during the USS Indiana’s homecoming event at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., March 27, 2025. (Joshua Karsten/U.S. Navy)
The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Indiana returned last week to Naval Submarine Base New London, Conn., after six months and 42,000 nautical miles on deployment.
“It’s great to be back just in time for the spring weather,” Cmdr. Kyle McVay said Thursday in a service news release. “This crew knocked it out of the park in terms of professionalism and mission accomplishment, and I couldn’t be any prouder of them as they reunite with their loved ones.”
Indiana visited ports in Scotland, Cyprus, Gibraltar and Greece.
While deployed, 34 personnel earned their submarine warfare devices — commonly referred to as “dolphins.”
Family and friends were gathered at the pier to welcome their sailors home.
A crew member embraces his wife and child during the USS Indiana homecoming event at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., March 27, 2025. (Joshua Karsten/U.S. Navy)
A crew member embraces a loved one during the USS Indiana homecoming event at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., March 27, 2025. (Joshua Karsten/U.S. Navy)
Families and friends prepare to greet their sailors during the USS Indiana homecoming event at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., March 27, 2025. (Joshua Karsten/U.S. Navy)
A crew member embraces his loved one during the USS Indiana homecoming event at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., March 27, 2025. (Joshua Karsten/U.S. Navy)
A crew member greets his wife and children during the USS Indiana homecoming event at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., March 27, 2025. (Joshua Karsten/U.S. Navy)
Families and friends prepare to greet their sailors during the USS Indiana homecoming event at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., March 27, 2025. (Joshua Karsten/U.S. Navy)
Sailors get ready to conduct mooring operations during the USS Indiana homecoming event at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., March 27, 2025. (John Narewski/U.S. Navy)
USS Indiana (SSN 789) returns to Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., March 27 following a regularly scheduled deployment. (John Narewski/U.S. Navy)
Petty Officer 3rd Class Christian Santiago, a culinary specialist on board and winner of the traditional “first kiss,” was first to depart the boat to greet his wife Sonia, who said she was excited for “the benefit of having him come out first.”
“I love the fact he came out first for the raffle,” Sonia Santiago said. “I participated in both the hug and the kiss raffle, and the fact that I won one of them, I was excited about that.”
Santiago was also welcomed by his mother, uncle, niece, and nephew, all driving in from The Bronx, N.Y.
The Santiago reunion was followed by the traditional “first hug” winners, and a few new dads — while Indiana was out, seven babies were born — before the gates opened for all families.
Indiana and crew operate under Submarine Squadron (SUBRON) 12. Fast-attack submarines are multimission platforms enabling five of the six Navy maritime strategy core capabilities — sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence. They are designed for anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare.
The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Indiana (SSN 798) prepares to moor pierside during a homecoming event at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., March 27, 2025. (Joshua Karsten/U.S. Navy)