USS Missouri Welcomes Distinguished Visitors

By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs

USS MISSOURI, At sea (NNS) -- Distinguished visitors participated in a four-day embark aboard Virginia-class submarine USS Missouri (SSN 780), as it operated in the Atlantic Ocean, March 9.

The guests gained an appreciation and awareness of the capabilities of the Missouri as it transited from the Navy's Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center in the Bahamas to Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia.

"As the first Senior Executive Service member to hold the new OPNAV N9I position, it was of great value to me to come to sea on the USS Missouri to see firsthand all the capabilities that are resident in this awesome warship," said Deputy Director Warfare Integration (N9I) Mike Novak.

Visitors witnessed the enhanced capabilities of the Virginia-class platform as the submarine transited through the oceans' depths. They also gained an appreciation for the submarine's enhanced sensor and ship's control capabilities, as well as a better understanding of what the platform provides to the nation's defense. Attack submarines provide offensive and defense capabilities to include: insertion of Special Forces, as well as intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

Rear Adm. Rick Breckenridge, commander, Submarine Group 2 hosted the distinguished visitors and discussed what Missouri's latest certification means not only to the submarine force, but to the nation's defense.

"After USS Missouri's commissioning and her impressive completion of its post-shake down availability the submarine is at a major transition point in the ship's life and is ready to go into harm's way in the defense of our nation," said Breckenridge. "It's an exciting time to be in the submarine force as USS Missouri joins the active fleet to assume her rightful position in defense of our nation."

Two academic leaders from Yale University also participated in the embark and reflected on the engineering marvels the agile platform provides and the takeaways they can bring back to the university for the benefit of their future scholars and new Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps class.

"The two biggest impressions I will share with my students and colleagues are that the Virginia-class submarine is an incredibly impressive engineering platform for the submarine force, and that the skill, dedication and commitment of the officers and crew are inspiring," said Paul Van Tassel, professor of engineering, Yale University.

Navy Capt. Glenn Kuffel, assigned to the Force Development office in the office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, discussed his personal takeaways from his embark experience.

"These boats have a great utility across a variety of missions in defense of our nation and our national security interests," said Kuffel.

Army Maj. Glen Clubb, an advisor for the deputy assistant secretary of defense for plans in OSD policy said experiencing life aboard a submarine provides a unique perspective.

"Books will not do it, one must have an experience like this to fully appreciate the capabilities provided by the submarine force," said Clubb.

On the final night aboard Missouri, the visitors witnessed a rite of passage when three officers and two enlisted Sailors received their dolphins granting them the right and honor to be called "submariners."

"It's a major milestone and first impressions mean a lot in the submarine force," said Lt. j.g. Joseph Innerst, one of the five submariners who received dolphins. "When you're submarine qualified you demonstrate the technical knowledge in all warfare capabilities."

Breckenridge praised the crew for the accomplishments and congratulated those who received dolphins.

"To the fighting men of USS Missouri, I'm very proud of you and wish you the best in all your endeavors," said Breckenridge.

Prior to the visitors' embark, Missouri successfully completed their operational certification and was deemed ready for tasking, which prepares the submarine and its crew for deployment. Cmdr. Tim Rexrode, Missouri's commanding officer reflected on the submarine's certification and reaching this pivotal milestone.

"The certification is the final testing of the ship in order to enter the Navy's deployment preparations," said Rexrode, who added that Missouri is the first Virginia-class submarine to complete its post-shake-down availability from General Dynamics Electric Boat six weeks early which directly supports the Navy's submarine force.

"When we partnered earlier on during our availability it delivered USS Missouri six weeks early and enabled us to support fleet exercises, which in turn provided the opportunity for other submarines to support major naval fleet exercises," said Rexrode.

Kings Bay Blood Drive Supports Troops Overseas

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW) James Kimber, Commander, Submarine Group 10 Public Affairs

NAVAL SUBMARINE BASE KINGS BAY, Ga. (NNS) -- The Armed Services Blood Program hosted a blood drive at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Dec. 5-6.

The donated blood will arrive in combat zone theaters by Friday to support deployed troops.

Capt. John O'Neill, commanding officer, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, was the first uniformed donor of the drive and said it was the first time he has ever donated blood to the ASBP and.

"The blood donated today makes a great, immediate impact for our forces overseas," O'Neill said. "I encourage everyone who can to donate to this positive, longstanding program."

This is the first time ASBP has held a blood drive in Kings Bay, said Erin Hawkins, an ASBP blood donor recruiter from Fort Gordon, Ga.

"December is typically the toughest month to get blood donations," Hawkins said. "With people preparing for the holidays, travelling around the country in addition to deployments and regular operations, it tends to slip people's minds. But the need never slips."

The process to get blood from the donor to the desert is very efficient and maintains an extremely fast tempo.

"From the time the blood leaves the donor's arm to the time its being stored in theater takes 72 hours," Hawkins said.

The donors are interviewed on their medical history, given a quick but thorough check-up to ensure the member is healthy to donate before all of the paperwork is reviewed by the company's staff sergeant to issue a blood bag.

"Our process attempts to eliminate error as much as possible," said SSgt. Eric Longacre, Bravo Company Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center, Fort Gordon, Ga. "This makes it as safe as possible for the donor and the potential serviceman or woman who may need it."

At that point the donor will have their blood drawn and given time to recover with high-sugar treats like juice and cookies, one of the few times a doctor will order a patient to consume more sugar.

Once it's bagged, the blood is mixed with an anticoagulant to ensure the blood doesn't clot in transport or storage. The tube is then segmented for testing and packed away for transport, all usually within an hour.

The blood is then tested and screened at the Armed Services Whole Blood Processing Laboratory at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey before being flown into theater for those in need or stored on U.S. Navy ships.

"It's really a tri-service effort to take care of our Soldiers down range," said Hawkins.

"There are other people out there who need [my blood] more than me," Lt. Eric Goying, USS Georgia (SSGN 729) (Gold), one of the earliest donors to arrive to the drive.

For Erica Gilliand of Lewiston, Idaho, the blood drive had a different meaning.

"It's our anniversary today," Gilliand said about her and her husband, U.S. Coast Guard Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Jon Gilliand of Maritime Force Protection Unit Kings Bay. The couple began to celebrate their fifth anniversary with their donation.

"We decided not to give each other gifts for our anniversary because it's so close to Christmas," Erica Gilliand said. "So we're offering a gift to those who are serving overseas."

"I want to help out my fellow Marines over there [in combat]," said Cleveland native Pfc. John Schon of Marine Corps Security Force Battalion Kings Bay. "I joined the Corps to go to over there, but the Marines need me here instead. This is the best way for me to help them right now."