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.

Tsunami Impact to U.S. Pacific Fleet Commands Minimal

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Sailors around the Pacific today were preparing for the tsunami to reach their homeports while at the same time joining a worldwide chorus in expressing their concern for those in Japan.

Outside of Japan, the only notable effect to the Navy was in Guam, where wave action caused two submarines to break their mooring lines.

Tug boats from Naval Base Guam responded quickly and kept the subs USS City of Corpus Christi (SSN 705) and USS Houston (SSN 713), under control while crews moored the subs safely to the pier. Another sub, USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723), and USS Frank Cable (AS 40) remained safely moored there.

In Japan, there were no immediate reports of Navy casualties, while recall efforts were ongoing. Additionally, no significant damage to installations or ships was reported.

Ships in Pearl Harbor and San Diego remained in port. No damage was reported as the tsunami reached Hawaii shortly after 3 a.m. local.

We continue to monitor and assess the situation and are positioning forces so they are ready to respond and provide disaster relief if directed by the Secretary of Defense.

For more information from Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit http://www.cpf.navy.mil/.