USS City of Corpus Christi Awarded Meritorious Unit Commendation

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class David R. Krigbaum, USS Frank Cable (AS 40) Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS City of Corpus Christi (SSN 705) was awarded its fifth Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) in a pierside ceremony on Naval Base Guam April 4.

Capt. John Russ, Commander, Submarine Squadron 15, presented City of Corpus Christi the MUC for operations the submarine conducted in 2009. The submarine also received the Navigation Red and Green 'N', Damage Control Red 'DC' and Supply Blue 'E' during the ceremony.

"The crew absolutely deserves the MUC for our operations in 2009," said Cmdr. Rob Gaucher, City of Corpus Christi's commanding officer. "Commander, Task Force 74 called our mission period the 'poster child for SSN operations' due to the versatility we demonstrated in responding to many changes in operational tasking, as well as the number of different missions we completed."

In addition to its missions supporting national and regional security, the submarine completed four multinational exercises, four theater security cooperation port visits, and responded to eight unplanned mission changes.

"Proficiency-wise, they're on top of their game," said Master Chief Machinist's Mate Terry Fuller, City of Corpus Christi's Chief of the Boat. "They work together, back each other up. When it comes down to it, I think they're the best crew in the Pacific Fleet."

Los Angeles-class fast attack submarines are designed to seek and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; project power ashore with Tomahawk cruise missiles and Special Operation Forces; carry out Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions; and conduct battle group operations. City of Corpus Christi is forward deployed in the 7th Fleet area of operations.