USS Pasadena ( SSN - 752 ) USS " Pasadena " ( SSN - 752 ) , a " Los Angeles " - class submarine , was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Pasadena , California . " Pasadena " provides the Fleet Commander or Task Force Commander a multi - mission platform . This vessel has unlimited endurance due to the nuclear propulsion plant , advanced sonar , torpedo , cruise missile , and mine delivery systems , a combination of speed and stealth due to quieting and the capacity to fulfill numerous missions . History . The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton , Connecticut on 30 November 1982 and her keel was laid down on 20 December 1985 . She was launched on 12 September 1987 sponsored by Mrs . Pauline Trost , and commissioned on 11 February 1989 with Commander W . Fritchman in command . Originally assigned to Submarine Force , U . S . Atlantic Fleet , " Pasadena " conducted an inter - fleet transfer in October 1990 to the Submarine Force , U . S . Pacific Fleet , and was homeported in San Diego , California . In July 1991 , " Pasadena " became the first Improved 688 Class submarine to deploy , commencing a six - month Western Pacific deployment . In June 1993 , she commenced a six - month Western Pacific deployment to the Persian Gulf . While deployed , " Pasadena " participated in several exercises with the Royal Saudi , Omani and Australian Navies , and was the first United States SSN to conduct exercises with the Indian Navy in MALABAR Naval Exercise . She also became the first nuclear - powered submarine to visit the port of Jeddah , Saudi Arabia on the Red Sea . In March 1995 , " Pasadena " again deployed on a six - month Western Pacific Deployment . While deployed to the Persian Gulf she became the first nuclear - powered submarine to visit the port of Muscat , Oman ; the first to operate continuously inside the Persian Gulf ; and the first SSN to be assigned to Commander , U . S . Fifth Fleet . In April 1996 , " Pasadena " changed homeports to Pearl Harbor , Hawaii where she is now assigned to Commander , Submarine Squadron Seven . From June 1996 to September 1996 , " Pasadena " underwent a Selected Restricted Availability ( SRA ) where she was outfitted with improved offensive and defensive weapon systems . In April 1997 , " Pasadena " deployed to the Eastern Pacific for a four - month deployment in support of UNITAS . On Wednesday , Sept . 21 2011 " Pasadena " and her crew of 18 officers and 126 enlisted personnel arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard , Kittery , Maine . While at the Shipyard , Pasadena will complete various maintenance work and several system upgrades . Awards . " Pasadena " was awarded the Submarine Squadron Seven Battle " E " Efficiency award for 1998 , which recognizes commands that have attained the highest overall or departmental readiness to carry out their wartime tasks . She was awarded the Morale and Welfare Recreation ( MWR ) Fleet Recreation award for the entire Navy in 2001 . Insignia . " Pasadena " ’ s insignia is surrounded by a mooring line border with blue background , emphasizing the nautical character of the seal . The surrounding banner carries the ship ' s hull number and name and bracketed by the motto . The motto , in addition to enhancing the central combative caricature , states in clear terms the readiness of today ’ s force to fight anywhere in the world on short notice in the national interest . The red rose ties the ship to the City of Pasadena , home of the New Year ’ s Day Tournament of Roses Parade , which dates back more than 100 years . The turtle pugilist ties SSN - 752 to " Pasadena " ( CL - 65 ) , a World War II light cruiser that earned six battle stars . The emblem for CL - 65 was created for the cruiser by Walt Disney . Interestingly , during the sub ' s construction at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton , CT , the crew adopted a North American Snapping Turtle as a mascot . The creature actually road the boat into the Thames river during its launching . By the time construction was over , the turtle , named Frumpy , which originally fit into the palm of a hand , was over 18 inches long , forcing the crew to find a new home . Cal Poly in Pasadena proved a willing host . To get him to his new abode , two crew members : ET1 ( SS ) Del Laughery , and ET1 ( SS ) Don Hilliker , both pilots , flew the turtle in a private aircraft from Groton to Pasadena .