Idaho sailed more than 19,000 nautical miles and made port calls at Haakonsvern, Norway, and Kings Bay, Georgia. “This maiden deployment demonstrated the squadron’s ability to operate as an integrated, forward-deployed team while operating in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility with 6th Fleet,” said Capt. Thomas Flaherty, commander of Submarine Squadron 4.
For the crew, the return also brought reunions after months away from home. Thirteen sailors earned their submarine warfare qualifications during the deployment, while five welcomed new babies.
“I could not be prouder of this crew,” said Cmdr. Chad J. Guillerault, Idaho’s commanding officer. “Throughout our maiden deployment, they demonstrated the professionalism, resilience, and teamwork that define our Navy.”
Commissioned in April 2026, Idaho is the 26th Virginia-class submarine and the eighth in the Block IV configuration. It was built under a teaming agreement between General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII-Newport News Shipbuilding.
Virginia-class submarines are designed for missions ranging from anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering to special operations and Tomahawk missile strikes. Idaho’s homecoming marks the completion of its first deployment less than six months after entering service.
