December 2011/January 2012 - Navy
By LCDR Jennifer Cragg, USN
Commander, Submarine Group Two Public Affairs
and
ENS Justin Will, USN
USS New Mexico Supply Officer
GROTON, Conn. – The relationship between the Navy
League’s New Mexico Commissioning Committee and the
crew of USS New Mexico (SSN 779) during its 33-year
life span will mirror that of an extended family.
The Navy League’s New Mexico Commissioning
Committee, like a family, has been a consistent supporter
of the sixth Virginia-class submarine since long before
the submarine was commissioned in 2010. The committee
has a long history of assisting the crew in a variety of
ways to show their support for their state’s namesake
submarine. Prior to her commissioning, the committee
created a New Mexico theme in the decor of the submarine’s
living quarters, including Southwest-style bunk
and passageway curtains.
Captain Robert Dain, a native of New Mexico, became
the first officer in charge of his state’s namesake submarine
during the boat’s precommissioning status in 2006-
2008. “It was a great honor to form the initial bond
and bring the culture of the state to the submarine
New Mexico,” said Dain, who is presently assigned to
Commander, Submarine Group Two. Dain was born in Shiprock, NM, and raised in Tijeras and Cedar Crest,
NM, east of Albuquerque.
Dick Brown, Chairman, USS New Mexico Commissioning
Committee, said there is a unique relationship the
boat shares with the Committee. The Commissioning
Committee is in their 11th year of support for USS New
Mexico, even though the boat was commissioned last
year.
“While construction of ‘our’ sub did not start until
March 2004, our pursuit of the name New Mexico started
in January 2000,” said Brown. “While New Mexico
doesn’t reside near an ocean, we are very much a Navy
state with three submarines honoring our state.”
The committee offers support to the crew of USS New
Mexico in a variety of ways. Among their support activities
are Sailor of the Quarter and Sailor of the Year
plaques for the crew, hosting crew member visits to the
state, sponsoring crew picnics, and even supplying red
chile Christmas lights to make sure the boat is noticed
on the waterfront during the Holiday Season. Most
recently, the Committee supplied new tabletops in the
design of the New Mexico state flag for five tables in the
crew’s mess.
So unique is their bond that the Committee has organized
training for the culinary specialists assigned to the boat to
learn the art of creating fine New Mexico cuisine for the crew.
Brown added that the crew had previously named their
dining facility affectionately after a popular restaurant in
Mesilla, NM. The crew refers to their dining facility as “La
Posta Abajo del Mar” which when translated means “La Posta
beneath the Sea.”
For the past three years, New Mexico Sailors have also
attended the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta and
pictures similar to their flight experiences were also added to
the crew’s mess decor. In return, the officers and crew of New
Mexico have invited Committee members and supporters on
two VIP cruises out of Port Canaveral, FL. The second VIP
cruise, this past September, included many Navy veterans as
well as the designer of the boat’s crest, Emilee Sena, a college
student who is now pursuing a scientific PhD after her experiences
with the high-tech submarine and its highly trained
crew.
In October, three Sailors assigned to USS New Mexico
participated in Albuquerque Navy Week. Navy Weeks provide
opportunities for the local residents to meet some of the
Navy’s Sailors and learn about the Navy’s critical missions and
its broad-ranging capabilities. During their visit, the Sailors
met with New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez; conducted a
question and answering session with Sea Cadets at Bataan
Military Academy; served dinner at a homeless shelter; attended
a Navy birthday ball and participated in other community
relations events planned by the New Mexico Commissioning
Committee.
New Mexico is named in recognition of the people of the
“Land of Enchantment.” The battleship New Mexico (BB40), in
commission from 1918 to 1946 and the only other ship named
after the 47th state, earned six battle stars for World War II
service, which included providing shore bombardment support
for landings in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands, Guam, Tinian,
Saipan, the Philippines, and Okinawa. BB40 acted as the
flagship for the Pacific Fleet during the 1920s. She was
present at the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay.
Commander George Perez, Commanding Officer of USS
New Mexico since October 2010, reflects on the honor the ship
bestows to the first boat named after its namesake state.
“The Sailors who served aboard New Mexico (BB 40) are
truly deserving of the recognition this exhibition provides.
Their legacy will continue to serve both the state and the
nation onboard New Mexico for decades to come,” said Perez.
On January 6, 2012, the state of New Mexico will celebrate
its statehood centennial. Like any other extended family, the
crew of USS New Mexico is sure to share their well wishes for
another successful 100 years and beyond.