2003-2009
In preparation for Engineering Refueling Operation (ERO), USS Albuquerque completed a Dual Media Discharge (DMD). During the shipyard period 22 months in length, the Albuquerque was commended for being the fastest, and most cost effective nuclear reactor refueling operation in history. During this time, CDR Burroughs was relieved of command by CDR Stuart Munch. After completing the major overhaul at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, USS Albuquerque returned to Groton in early 2003. The rest of 2003 was spent conducting local operations, an ORSE and a weapons system upgrade. Most of 2004 was spent at sea preparing for the ship's first overseas deployment since the shipyard. This included a two month overseas surge deployment with a port call in Rota, Spain.
USS Albuquerque conducted a six month deployment as part of the USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group from 13 October 2004 to 12 April 2005. The ship made port calls in Scotland, Portugal, Bahrain, Seychelles, and Crete. During this deployment, USS Albuquerque was awarded the Squadron 2 Battle Efficiency Award for 2004. Albuquerque was homeported in Groton, Connecticut, as part of Submarine Group 2.
On 27 June 2005, CDR Robert Douglass relieved CDR Stuart Munsch as Commanding Officer.
In July 2005, Ariel Weinmann, a fire-control technician deserted from Albuquerque and remained at large until he was arrested in early August 2006. In addition to desertion, he was charged with espionage. He allegedly tried to pass sensitive information about Albuquerque to agents of unspecified foreign governments on at least three occasions: in March 2005 in Manama, in October 2005 in Vienna, and in March in Mexico City .
On 6 August 2009, Albuquerque completed her change of homeport from Groton, Conn., to Naval Base Point Loma in order to maintain 60 percent of the submarine force in the Pacific in line with the 2006 QDR.
Read more about this topic: USS Albuquerque (SSN-706)