Submarine featured in Red October visits Saipan

The actual submarine that was used in the movie The Hunt for Red October recently visited the CNMI.

USS Houston is one of three submarines currently home-ported on Guam. The submarine, which has a complement of 158 men, arrived in the afternoon of June 9 and left last Monday morning.

The Los Angeles Class fast attack submarine is designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships. Its other missions range from intelligence collecting and Special Forces delivery to anti-ship and strike warfare.

Associate judge David Wiseman said the submarine was the exact submarine used in the Hollywood film, which was based on the novel by Tom Clancy.

He also mentioned that the musical scorer of the film, Butch Wolf, is currently connected with the media center at the Northern Marianas College.

Another U.S. Navy ship, the USS Stethem, called on the Saipan port.

Wiseman, together with Saipan Chamber of Commerce executive director Christine Parke and Cocal Cola sales and marketing director Kathryn Barry, led the presentation of the plaques of recognition to USS Houston commanding officer John Zavadil and USS Stethem commanding officer Robert Gonzales and their crew at the Pacific Islands Club Seaside Grill last Sunday afternoon.

Gonzales also presented a plaque of appreciation to Wiseman and said he and his men are very grateful for the warm hospitality the island has shown them.

The USS Stethem arrived Thursday evening and she carries approximately 320 personnel. Gonzales said this is his second visit to the island and he was amazed at the changes the island had gone through since 2000. His wife flew in from Guam to join him in this recreational and community service journey to Saipan.

Zavadil said it was his first time on Saipan and he said he extremely enjoyed his stay. His family also flew in from Guam to enjoy the CNMI sands, said Zavadil. “People here are very friendly and now I like Saipan a lot,” he said.

Gonzales, together with fellow officer Ronald Jack, participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at the American Memorial Park Saturday morning.

Both ships’ crewmen participated in community relations activities such the cleanup activity of the Saipan Mayor’s Office at the Sugar King Estate along Middle Road.