USS Bremerton (SSN 698) Returns to its Namesake

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Lawrence Davis, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-Class attack submarine, USS Bremerton (SSN 698) returned to its namesake city, May 25.

The submarine, which is homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was recently adopted by the Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Navy League and welcomed upon arrival to Naval Base Kitsap's pier with a formal ceremony.

"We're very happy to be here. The Navy League and the Mayor of Bremerton have shown great support to this ship and its crew, and it's just been outstanding," said Cmdr. Caleb Kerr, commanding officer, USS Bremerton.

The visit marks the submarine's first return to its namesake in approximately two years.

"Anytime we get a chance to have our namesake come back it's just wonderful," said former USS Bremerton Commanding Officer (1985-1988) retired Capt. Alan Beam of the Bremerton-Olympic Navy League. "Our goal is to support the troops and the Sailors and make sure they know how much we appreciate their work."

The submarine is visiting Bremerton before its upcoming deployment.

"This is a great opportunity for some outreach with the city that shows us so much support," said Kerr.

USS Bremerton is the 11th submarine of the Los Angeles-Class and is the oldest submarine in the U.S. Fleet, commissioned March 28, 1981.

Navy League Presents Awards to USS Bremerton

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs
COMSUBPAC Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council of the Navy League presented awards to four Sailors assigned to the Los Angeles-class submarine, USS Bremerton (SSN 698), for outstanding achievement throughout 2011 at the submarine piers on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Jan. 20.

Dr. Byron Faber of the Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council of the Navy League presented awards to the following submariners: Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (SS) Charles Corcoran was awarded the 2011 Engineering "Go-to-Guy" award for engineering excellence. Culinary Specialist 2nd Class (SS) Bevon Drummond was awarded the 2011 Supply "Silent Specialist of the Year" for Supply Department excellence. Electronics Technician 2nd Class (SS) Christopher Beal was awarded the 2011 "Bowditch Award" for Navigation excellence and Sonar Technician (Submarines) 2nd Class (SS) Jerry Verant was awarded the 2011 "Tactical Adonis of the Year" for tactical and Weapons Department excellence.

"It is a great privilege to present these awards and recognize what a great job these Sailors are doing," said Faber. "This is our way of showing them that the citizens of Bremerton appreciate all that they do for our country."

The council sponsors USS Bremerton. The organization provides awards to four Sailors each year serving on USS Bremerton based on superior performance over the past year. This initiative was started in 2010 by Faber. He was also instrumental in the adoption of the submarine by the city of Bremerton. A ceremony commemorating this event was held in Bremerton in January 2011.

"Over the past year, Dr. Faber and the Navy League have provided outstanding support for USS Bremerton working to recognize superior performance and improve the quality of life of USS Bremerton Sailors and families," said Cmdr. Caleb Kerr, commanding officer, USS Bremerton. "This camaraderie between the city of Bremerton, the Navy League and the ship has paid big dividends in crew morale. It means a great deal to me that citizens of the fine city of Bremerton and the Navy League are supporting my Sailors and the ship particularly while we are deployed."

USS Bremerton Departs for Western Pacific Deployment

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge

Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Los Angeles-class submarine USS Bremerton (SSN 698) departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam April 5 for a scheduled six-month deployment to the Western Pacific region.

Bremerton's commanding officer, Cmdr. Caleb Kerr, commented that the crew is enthusiastic and motivated to deploy.

"The morale of the crew is the best that I have observed during my 18 years in the Navy," said Kerr. "The submarine is in top material condition from bow to stern due to their professional work efforts."

For many crewmembers of Bremerton, this deployment will be their first where according to Kerr; they have a robust plan for both submarine operations and strengthening ties with allied foreign nations.

"This will be the first deployment for over half of the crew and our first and foremost goal is to safely complete all of our assigned tasking," said Kerr. "The officers and crew performed extremely well during the pre-overseas movement certification period and I have no doubt that they will perform brilliantly on deployment."

Bremerton is named in honor of the city of Bremerton, Wash., home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and a city with a long association with both the Navy and the Submarine Force. She is the tenth ship of the Los Angeles-class. Her keel was laid by General Dynamics' Electric Boat Division in Groton, Conn. in May 1976. She was commissioned March 28, 1981.

Namesake Submarine Adopted by Bremerton Navy League

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Scott Dagendesh, Navy Public Affairs Support Element Detachment Northwest

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- Navy League United States (NLUS) Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council hosted an adoption ceremony for the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Bremerton (SSN 698) at Norm Dicks Conference Center, Jan. 11.

USS Bremerton was the second United States Navy ship to be named in honor of Bremerton, Wash., a city which has been long associated with both the Navy and submarine force.

Mayor Patty Lent hosted the ceremony and NLUS Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Council signed the official adoption papers of USS Bremerton.

"Tonight's celebration commemorates the official adoption of USS Bremerton and her crew by Bremerton-Olympic," said Congressman Norm Dicks. "This is a proud day of the city of Bremerton and its citizens. As a native of Bremerton it is an honor to welcome Cmdr. Kerr and his wife Hilary to our city. And we offer our deepest thanks to the 130-person crew serving our country on board USS Bremerton.

"I am thankful that the Bremerton-Olympic Peninsula Chapter of the Navy League has demonstrated support for the crew and its namesake submarine. This partnership is a testament to the patriotism of every Navy League member as shining examples of how much this community supports service members and their families," said Dicks.

The electric boat division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Conn., was awarded the contract to build the submarine Jan. 24, 1972; the keel was laid May 8, 1976, and was launched July 22, 1978 by sponsor, Mrs. Henry M. Jackson.

USS Bremerton was commissioned March 28, 1981, and Capt. Thomas H. Anderson was its first commanding officer.

Byron Faber, Navy League Trips and Tours worked closely with area organizations and USS Bremerton to make the event possible.

"As soon as we knew the Bremerton got the port call here a year ago, several of us in Navy League wanted to do everything we could to show our support to the crew," said Faber. "I gave them rides in my Ferrari and got to know the crew; we just had a blast...and we got the idea 'why don't we adopt this boat.' I've been the liaison ever since doing the spade-work to get it done…a lot of chatting with the CO to see what we could do. I'm just proud we can support our military any way we can."

Cmdr. Caleb Kerr, USS Bremerton commanding officer, and his wife flew in from Pearl Harbor to attend the ceremony to represent the boat and sign the official papers.

"I thank all who are here, for welcoming my wife and myself to this auspicious occasion," said Kerr. "The crew and I are very excited about the patriotic city Bremerton adopting our ship. I cannot tell you what it means to all of us on the crew to know there are people in Bremerton fully supporting us; especially significant for us as we prepare for a six-month deployment. All of your support is appreciated."