USS Boise Coming Home

Back in December, I blogged about the trip USS Boise (SSN 764) made across the Arctic on her way from Norfolk to a WestPac deployment. It looks like she took the long way home; she'll be arriving back in Norfolk later today following a trip around the world:

The crew demonstrated the Submarine Force('s) ability to make full use of every asset they have in the most productive way possible. Boise deployed on October 30(,) 2006 and transited under the (Arctic) ice.
While deployed, Boise completed a wide range of joint requirements supporting national security in the Pacific and Central Command Areas of Responsibility before returning through the Suez Canal and then home via the Mediterranean and Atlantic completing the circumnavigation of the globe on Nuclear Power.
During the deployment, Boise's crew members served as ambassadors for the United States Navy during port visits to Yokosuka, Japan; Guam; Singapore; Limassol, Cyprus; and Toulon, France.

[Parenthetical spelling, punctuation and grammar corrections mine] Now those last three are some decent port visits! Welcome home, men of the Boise -- get some rest, you deserve it.

Update 2247 30 May: She made it home; some pictures are at this link. It appears that her "around the world" deployment wasn't in the original plan; they used Boise to fill in for USS Newport News (SSN 750) in the Fifth Fleet AOR after Newport News' January collision.

Update 2237 31 May: Navy NewsStand photos of the Boise's return are here and here.