11 of the 12 USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL Commanding
Officers
Photo Credit:
Mass Communications Specialist MC3, Kelvin Edwards, USN, Commander
Submarine Force Staff.
Inactivation Ceremony
Norfolk, Virginia, June 22, 2007
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News Release
USS Minneapolis-St. Paul Arrives at New Homeport
Story Number: NNS070807-02
Release Date: 8/7/2007 10:10:00 AM
From Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- USS Minneapolis-St. Paul (SSN 708) arrived at
her new homeport of Pearl Harbor Aug. 3., in preparation for the
submarine's decommissioning at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard later
this year.
“This is a bittersweet moment. The crew is happy to be in Hawaii,
but sad to see their submarine decommissioned,” said Cmdr. Woods R.
Brown II, the submarine’s commanding officer.
The Los-Angeles class submarine was inactivated June 22, 2007, in a
ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk after more than 23 years of
service. Five-time Battle Efficiency "E" award winner, the
Minneapolis-St. Paul completed 12 deployments and earned seven
Meritorious Unit Commendations. Prior to its transit to Pearl
Harbor, the submarine returned from its final six-month deployment
to the North Atlantic in April.
Brown also extended his condolences to those affected by the bridge
collapse in the submarine’s namesake city.
“We heard about this during our transit over here. It was such a
shock. Our ties with Minneapolis are still fresh and my heart goes
out to all those involved in this tragedy,” said Brown.
Minneapolis-St. Paul is the 21st Los Angeles-class attack submarine
and the 16th ship in that class built by Electric Boat in Groton,
Conn.
Commander Brown was
born in Rochester, NY and graduated high school in Spring, TX. He
graduated from Cornell University in May 1989 with a BS in Applied
and Engineering Physics. Following nuclear power training and the
Submarine Officer Basic Course, he reported to the USS ALBUQUERQUE (SSN
706) where he served as the Reactor Controls Assistant, Electrical
Officer, Main Propulsion Assistant, Sonar Officer and Communicator.
While onboard, ALBUQUERQUE completed Mediterranean and WESTLANT
deployments.
In June 1994, CDR
Brown reported to NPTU Ballston SPA where he served as a Shift
Engineer and Operations Officer at the S8G prototype.
After completing
the Submarine Officer Advanced Course in August 1997, CDR Brown
reported to USS TREPANG (SSN 674) as the Engineer Officer. TREPANG
won two Squadron FOUR Engineering “E” awards and after completing
Mediterranean and WESTLANT deployments, TREPANG conducted an around
the world transit to Bremerton, WA for inactivation. In June 1999,
CDR Brown reported to the USS KENTUCKY (GOLD) (SSBN 737) as
Navigator. He completed two strategic deterrence patrols while on
KENTUCKY.
From March 2001 to
March 2002, CDR Brown attended the Naval War College where he
received a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies and National Security
Affairs.
After completing
the Prospective Executive Officer Course, CDR Brown reported to the
USS BUFFALO (SSN 715) in Pearl Harbor, HI as Executive Officer from
May 2002 to October 2004.
In January 2006,
CDR Brown commenced the Prospective Commanding Officer pipeline,
completing the Submarine Command Course (SCC) in May 2005. After SCC,
CDR Brown reported to Submarine Development Squadron TWELVE as the
Deputy for Readiness.
CDR Brown’s
decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Navy
Commendation Medal (5 awards) and Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards).
Twice As Good
USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (SSN 708) has been at the forefront of
submarine operations and training since being commissioned in 1984.
This has included eight major deployments of significance to the
national defense of the United States. USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul’s
exceptional performance during these missions resulted in the ship
being awarded five Meritorious Unit Commendations in 1985, 1986,
1987, 1988, and most recently 1991 for the ships operations in
support of Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The ship has excelled
in many other areas during her years of commissioned service,
earning the Battle Efficiency “E” five times for 1986, 1988, 1989,
1996 and 2003. In January 1992, USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul was
awarded the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Stars for
her deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and was the first submarine
to carry Tomahawk Missiles specifically designated for use in strike
warfare in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
Following a shipyard availability in the Spring of 1992, the ship
completed four highly successful deployments to the North Atlantic
Ocean. USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul will continue to be a leader
among her peers and a formidable threat to those opposed to the
people and ideals of the United States of America.
HISTORY OF USS
MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL (SSN-708) BUILT BY: GENERAL DYNAMICS ELECTRIC
BOAT DIVISION, GROTON, CT.
KEEL LAID.............20 JANUARY 1981,
LAUNCHED..............19 MARCH 1983, COMMISSIONED..........10 MARCH
1984, SPONSORED
BY: MRS. PENNY DURENBERGER
USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL (SSN-708) has been at the forefront of
submarine operations and training since being commissioned
in 1984.
This has included eight major deployments of significance to the
national defense of the United States. USS MINNEAPOLIS-
SAINT PAUL's
exceptional performance during these missions resulted in the ship
being awarded five Meritorious Unit Commendations
in 1985, 1986,
1987,1988, and most recently 1991 for the ship's operation in
support of Desert Shield/Desert Storm. The ship has
excelled in many
other areas during her years of commissioned service, earning the
Battle Efficiency "E" four times for 1986,
1988, 1989, and 1996.
Other awards include the Anti-Submarine Warfare Excellence "A"
(1985), the Engineering Excellence "E" four
times (1987, 1993, 1994,
and 1995), the Damage Control "DC" three times (1987, 1993, and
1995), the COMSIXTHFLT Hook-'Em
Award for Anti-Submarine Warfare
Excellence (1988), the Silver Anchor Award for Retention Excellence
(1988), and the Medical
"M" three times (1990, 1993, and 1995). In
January 1992, USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL was awarded the Southwest
Asia Service
Medal with 2 Bronze Stars for her deployment to the
Mediterranean Sea and was the first submarine to carry Tomahawk
Missiles
specifically designated for use in strike warfare in
support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Following the
shipyard
availability in the Spring of 1992, the ship completed four
highly successful deployments to the North Atlantic Ocean.
USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL will continue to be a leader among her
peers and a formidable threat to those opposed to the people
On May 10,2006 , aboard the USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL (SSN-708) in
Norfolk, Virginia the 2005 Sailors of the Year were recognized
by
the Twin Cities Council of the Navy League of the US and by the USS
SAINT PAUL Association. The honorees were ET1(SS) James
Wilson,
Sailor of the Year and STS3(SS) Andy Brashler, Junion Sailor of thr
Year. At Chan's request MSP skipper Joseph Ruff asked
Admiral Kenny
if he would like to participate in the ceremony. The Admiral was
pleased to do so. Assisted by Chan, he presented
certificates of
appreciation from the Twin Cities Council, signed by then-president
Chip Laingen, to each of the sailors. He then
presented checks to
each of them from the council and from the USS SAINT PAUL
Association.
The admiral made appropriate remarks, commmeding the two sailors and
noting that Petty Officer Wilson had also been selected
as the
Submarine Squadron SIX Sailor of the Year. Following the
presentations, Commander Ruff presented Chan an MSP plaque
recognizing the Association's support and suggested that it might be
placed in the association's Memorial Exhibit aboard the
USS
MASSACHUSETTS. Chan assured him that it would.
CAPTAIN Ralph Schlichter April 1982-July1984
COMMANDER Charles J. Beers, Jr. July 1984-July 1987
COMMANDER James W. Metzger July 1987-April 1990
COMMANDER Neil E. Rondorf April 1990-October 1992
COMMANDER Michael P. Agor October 1992-April 1995
COMMANDER Arnold O. Lotring April 1995-August 1997
COMMANDER Michael T. Maliniak August 1997-October 1999
COMMANDER John A. Ferrer October 1999-April 2002
COMMANDER David S. Ratte April 2002-December 2004
COMMANDER Edwin J. Ruff, Jr.
December 2004-January 2007
COMMANDER
Gordon C. Williams January 2007 - April
2007 {TOP}