USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720)

The Los Angeles class fast-attack submarine USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) pulls into Submarine Base New London. Pittsburgh returned from a scheduled six-month deployment in the U.S. Southern Command and African Command areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by John Narewski/Released)

USS La Jolla (SSN 701)

The U.S. Navy Los Angeles attack submarine USS La Jolla (SSN 701) with the deep submergence rescue vehicle Mystic (DSRV-1) attached, gets underway to participate in the submarine rescue Exercise Pacific Reach 2002. La Jolla and Mystic will operate with surface ships and submarines from the U.S., Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Singapore during Exercise Pacific Reach. Mystic was specifically designed to fill the need for an improved means of rescuing the crew of a submarine immobilized on the ocean floor. It can operate independently of surface conditions or under ice for rapid response to an accident anywhere in the world. (U.S. Navy photo by Journalist 3rd Class Wes Eplen)

USS La Jolla (SSN 701)

A large harbor tug assists the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS La Jolla (SSN 701) as it pulls into Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka for a port visit. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardelito Gervacio (Released)

USS La Jolla (SSN 701)

The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS La Jolla (SSN 701) departs Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a scheduled six-month deployment to the Middle East and western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge/Released)

USS La Jolla (SSN 701)

The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS La Jolla (SSN 701) returns to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam after completing a six-month deployment to the western Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge/Released)

USS La Jolla (SSN 701)

The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS La Jolla (SSN 701) enters San Diego Harbor enroute to Naval Base Point Loma. a Jolla is in San Diego making a namesake port visit to the township of La Jolla. Sailors are scheduled to participate in several community service events with La Jolla area a veteran's hospital. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Shannon Warner/Released)

USS La Jolla (SSN 701)

The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS La Jolla (SSN 701) dips the Ensign as the submarine tender USS Frank Cable pulls into Pearl Harbor for a port visit. Frank Cable is temporarily relieved from conducting maintenance of submarines and service vessels deployed in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility by submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) and is headed to Portland, Ore. for a regular overhaul and dry-docking. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy Starr/Released)

U 34

Das Unterseeboot U 34 der Uboot Klasse 212 A in der Flensburger Förde. ©Bundeswehr/Schönbrodt

HMS Astute (S119)

The Royal Navy submarine HMS Astute (S119) arrives at Naval Station Norfolk. Astute is the first in a new class of British nuclear submarines that sets the standard for the Royal Navy in terms of weapons load, communication facilities and stealth. Commissioned on Aug. 27, 2010, the 323-foot, 7,400-ton submarine carries a crew of 98 officers and enlisted personnel, and can travel at speeds of 29-plus knots while submerged. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Todd A. Schaffer/Released)

HNLMS Dolfijn (S 808)

The Dutch submarine HNLMS Dolfijn (S 808) prepares to get underway from Taranto Naval Base Mar Grande marking the beginning of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) submarine escape and rescue exercise Sorbet Royal 2005. Divers from various nations will work together to rescue submariners during the exercise in the Mediterranean. Twenty-seven participating nations, including 14 NATO nations will test their capabilities and interoperability. Four submarines with up to 52 crewmembers aboard will be placed on the bottom of the ocean, while rescue forces with rescue vehicles and systems work together to solve complex disaster rescue problems. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Dave Fliesen)

TCG Preveze (S-353)

The Turkish submarine Preveze surfaces following the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) submarine escape and rescue exercise Sorbet Royal 2005. Divers from various nations will work together to rescue submariners during the exercise in the Mediterranean. Twenty-seven participating nations, including 14 NATO nations will test their capabilities and interoperability. Four submarines with up to 52 crewmembers aboard will be placed on the bottom of the ocean, while rescue forces with rescue vehicles and systems work together to solve complex disaster rescue problems. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Dave Fliesen)

TCG Preveze (S-353)

The Turkish submarine Preveze surfaces following the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) submarine escape and rescue exercise Sorbet Royal 2005. Divers from various nations will work together to rescue submariners during the exercise in the Mediterranean. Twenty-seven participating nations, including 14 NATO nations will test their capabilities and interoperability. Four submarines with up to 52 crewmembers aboard will be placed on the bottom of the ocean, while rescue forces with rescue vehicles and systems work together to solve complex disaster rescue problems. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Dave Fliesen)

HNLMS Dolfijn (S 808)

The Dutch submarine HNLMS Dolfijn (S 808) conducts a low-pressure blow during pre-underway checks in Taranto Naval Base Mar Grande. Dolfijn getting underway marked the beginning of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) submarine escape and rescue exercise Sorbet Royal 2005. Divers from various nations will work together to rescue submariners during the exercise in the Mediterranean. Twenty-seven participating nations, including 14 NATO nations will test their capabilities and interoperability. Four submarines with up to 52 crewmembers aboard will be placed on the bottom of the ocean, while rescue forces with rescue vehicles and systems work together to solve complex disaster rescue problems. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Dave Fliesen

HMAS Rankin (SSK 78)

The Australian Collins-class submarine, HMAS Rankin (SSK 78), enters Pearl Harbor for a port visit after completing exercises in the Pacific region. Rankin is currently testing the deployment of women on submarines after completing modifications to the boat. On Dec. 12, 1992, the Minister for Defense Science and Personnel announced that women would be eligible for service in the Collins-class submarines after a Submarine Integration Study (SIS). (U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Seaman Ryan C. McGinley)

HMAS Rankin (SSK 78)

The Australian Collins-class submarine, HMAS Rankin (SSK 78), enters Pearl Harbor for a port visit after completing exercises in the Pacific region. Rankin is currently testing the deployment of women on submarines after completing modifications to the boat. On Dec. 12, 1992, the Minister for Defense Science and Personnel announced that women would be eligible for service in the Collins-class submarines after a Submarine Integration Study (SIS). (U.S. Navy photo by Journalist Seaman Ryan C. McGinley)

HMS Tireless (S88)

The Royal Navy Trafalgar class attack submarine HMS Tireless sits on the surface of the North Pole. Tireless surfaced with the U.S. Navy Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Hampton (SSN 767) for ICEX 04, a joint operational exercise beneath the polar ice cap. Both the Tireless and Hampton crews met on the ice, including scientists traveling aboard both submarines to collect data and perform experiments. The Ice Exercise demonstrates the U.S. and British Submarine Force's ability to freely navigate in all international waters, including the Arctic. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Journalist Kevin Elliott)

KNM Utstein (KNM 302)

The Norwegian ULA class submarine Utstein (KNM 302) participates in NATO exercise Odin-One. The Norwegian submarine and other naval vessels joined U.S. active and reserve anti-submarine forces, including the stealth nuclear-powered submarine, USS Seawolf (SSN 21). The mission of the North Sea War-time exercise was to hunt Allied and NATO submarines. During the exercise, the “Emerald Knights” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Seventy-Five (HS-75) logged nearly fifty hours of submarine contact within three days and performed countless simulated contacts and kills. Exercise Odin-One represents the strong Allied bond between the U.S. and Norway. (U.S. Navy photo)

USS Providence (SSN 719)

Sailors aboard the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Providence (SSN 719) cast off lines as the submarine departs Naval Submarine Base New London ahead of Hurricane Irene. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Peter D. Blair/Released)

USS Alaska (SSBN 732)

The Ohio-class ballistic missile subarine USS Alaska (SSBN 732) approaches Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., after successfully completing sea trials. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Kimber/Released)

USS Alaska (SSBN 732)

The Ohio-class ballistic missile subarine USS Alaska (SSBN 732) approaches Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Ga., after successfully completing sea trials. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James Kimber/Released)