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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
Upon her decommissioning, for the first time since 1934, there
will be no commissioned ship in the US Navy named for any city in
Minnesota.
The ship's
mailing address is: USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (SSN-708) ; FPO AE
09578-2388.
Cmdr. Woods R. Brown II
Commanding Officer
USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL (SSN-708) 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
• Builders: Newport News Shipbuilding Co. and General Dynamics Electric Boat Div. • Powerplant: One nuclear reactor, one shaft • Length: 360 feet (109.73 meters) • Beam: 33 feet (10.06 meters) • Displacement: Approx. 6,900 tons (7010.73 metric tons) submerged • Speed: 20+ knots (23+ miles per hour; 36.8+ KPH) • Crew: 20 offi cers, 132 enlisted • Armament: Tomahawk cruise missiles and MK48 ADCAP torpedoes, delivered from four torpedo tubes Executive Officer - Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Schultz Chief of the Boat - FTCS(SS) Jason Breen
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 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.
and
ideals of the United States of America. 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. 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.
Mississippi River that flows between Minneapolis and St. Paul. This bridge is depicted on the seal of the City of Minneapolis. The stars around the border represent the Battle Stars the USS MINNEAPOLIS (CA-36) received during World War II and the
Battle Stars the USS SAINT PAUL
(CA-73) received during World War II, and the Korean and Viet Nam
conflicts.
is surrounded by symbols of significant deployments and unit awards. Above the seal are ship's four Battle Efficiency "E"'s, while the five Meritorius Unit Commendations awarded since the ship's commissioning are displayed below. Displayed to the left of the seal are two outlines of the Mediteranean Sea representing successful deployments, while to the right are symbolic daggers indicating independent submarine operations or successful "cloak and dagger" operations completed by "The Good Men of MSP". The flag was designed by Lieutenant John G. Carpentier and hand made by Mrs. Lila Hendricks
of Virginia Beach.
COMMANDER Edwin J. Ruff, Jr. December 2004-January 2007
COMMANDER
Gordon C. Williams January 2007 - April
2007
operating in the Mediterranean. She visited Cronstadt, Russia in 1895 as a flagship of Rear Admiral T.O. Selfridge, representing the U.S. at the coronation of Czar NICHOLAS II. The MINNEAPOLIS preformed scouting duties during the Spanish American War and was decommissioned. She was recommissioned in 1903 and assigned to a special service squadron to make astronomical and other scientific observations off the coast of Spain and Africa. She was at Annapolis, MD in 1906 for ceremonies commemorating the arrival of the body of John Paul Jones. Decommissioned again in 1906, she was recommissioned in 1917 and operated along the Atlantic Coast as an escort ship during World War I. The second MINNEAPOLIS (CA-34) was a heavy cruiser commissioned in 1934. Arriving in Pearl Harbor in 1940, she was at sea for gunnery practice when Pearl Harbor was attacked. The MINNEAPOLIS participated in the Battle of Coral Sea in 1942 and the Battle of Midway in 1942, the landings at Philippines, Bataan and Corregidor. She was decommissioned in 1947. The MINNEAPOLIS earned 17 engagement stars for World War II.
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