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Frank Willetto – Honorary USS NEW MEXICO Plank Owner

On April 19th, 2011, at the Fire Rock Navajo Casino in Church Rock, NM (two miles east of Gallup on Historic Route 66), there was a special presentation to Navajo Code Talker and Tribal spiritual leader Frank Chee Willetto of Crownpoint. Three years ago, Frank had traveled to Newport News, Virginia where he honored the crew and 300 invited guests with his blessing of the USS NEW MEXICO submarine. At the keel authentication ceremony on April 12th, 2008, Frank bestowed his hope for safe journeys for all who go to sea in the submarine.

There were about 24 Navajo in attendance at Fire Rock Casino, including the casino CEO and Rhonda Ray, Marketing Manager, and Keith Little, President of the Navajo Code Talkers Association, plus staff members Yvonne Murphy and Wanda Arviso. Photographer Leigh Jimmie and reporter Jan-Mikael Patterson from the Navajo Times were present and produced a very nice story for this weekly newspaper. Rick Carver took photos for the Navy League’s USS New Mexico Committee and his next book.

At the podium just outside the casino entrance, with a beautiful custom motorcycle on display, Committee Chairman Dick Brown presented an honorary plank owner plaque to Frank. The 86-year old WWII veteran plans to donate it to the National Navajo Code Talkers Museum and Veterans Center when it is completed. Brown explained that plank ownership is a time-honored Navy tradition dating back to the days of wooden ships. Those sailors onboard during commissioning are plank owners for life and each is “entitled to one plank of the deck”. By the way, the motorcycle is being raffled off as a fundraiser for the new Code Talkers Museum planned for Tse Bonito, NM. (Photos courtesy of Rick Carver)

As an 18-year old eager to defend his country during WWII, Frank joined the U.S. Marine Corps. It was while waiting for his physical exam in Santa Fe that Frank was pulled out of line by a Marine sergeant and selected for a special mission. At the time, he did not know he was destined to become a Code Talker. After basic training and extensive radio training, PFC Willetto shipped out to the Pacific Theatre where he served with the 2nd Marine Division in Saipan and Okinawa.

The Navajo Code Talkers took part in every assault the Marines conducted in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945, and saved countless lives by speeding the end of the war. Their mission was to use their native language to transmit vital combat information over open-air radio. The enemy never cracked the code; in fact, it was kept secret for more than two decades after the war.

Frank’s plank owner plaque includes a piece of high-strength steel from the construction of the submarine, quite appropriate because during WWII the Navajo code word for submarine was “Besh-Lo” which means “Iron Fish”. Frank sends his regards to the committee and to the officers and crew of USS NEW MEXICO.

Navajo Code Talker Keith Little served with the US Marine Corps and fought in battles in the Marshall Islands, Saipan and Iwo Jima. Like most of the Code Talkers, he was not aware of the significance of his contribution to the war effort until much later in life. It was only then that he understood the importance of documenting their story for posterity. With the new museum, he hopes to teach the younger generations the importance of striving for excellence and of serving above and beyond the call of duty.

After the ceremony, Keith, Frank and Dick signed USS NEW MEXICO posters for attendees and casino patrons. There is considerable excitement about "our" submarine in Navajoland. On behalf of the Navy League, Frank and Keith were given USS New Mexico admiral ball-caps and ship’s coins in appreciation for their service to our nation.

After the war, Frank returned to his native New Mexico. He worked in the mining industry for a few years before settling into a long career with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. His first wife died in 1989. They had been married nearly 43 years. Today, he and his second wife, Shirley, live near Crownpoint. He has 10 children and 65 grandchildren.

For his exemplary service as a Navajo Code Talker, Frank received the Congressional Silver Medal in 2002, long after his service to our country. He has served as Vice President of the Navajo Code Talker Association, Chairman of the National Indian Council on Aging, Navajo Tribal Councilman (for 12 years), and Vice President of the Navajo Nation. He remains a strong advocate for improving the quality of life for the Navajo people and has testified on their behalf before congressional committees in Washington. His community service continues for he has two years remaining in his term as President of the Pueblo Pintado Chapter.

The Navy League New Mexico Council expresses its appreciation to the Navajo Code Talker Association and the Fire Rock Navajo Casino for organizing and hosting this special tribute to Frank Willetto.

Postscript Story

Frank Willetto is not the only Code Talker involved in USS NEW MEXICO. On December 6, 2004, Chester Nez delivered a special blessing in Navajo during the naming ceremony at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque. At this event, Secretary of the Navy Gordon England made official his selection of the name for the sixth Virginia-class submarine.

Today, Chester Nez is the last surviving Code Talker of the “Original 29” who were recruited into the Marine Corps to develop the code. It was not long ago that there were three left of the original 29 but 89-year old Allen Dale June died in September and 87-year old Lloyd Oliver died in March – both proud patriots. This leaves Chester but at age 89 he too is in failing health. He is wheelchair-bound after diabetes led to the amputation of both legs.

When the USS New Mexico Commissioning Committee heard about Chester throwing out the first pitch at a 2004 major league baseball game, it invited him to the official naming of submarine NEW MEXICO. There he joined Governor Richardson and Senator Bingaman on stage – it was a great day for New Mexico and a great honor to have this war hero’s blessing as part of the naming ceremony.

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Code Talker Thanked for Blessing Nuclear Sub

By Jan-Mikael Patterson Navajo Times CHURCH ROCK, N.M., April 22, 2011

Under clear skies and a slight breeze, about 30 people gathered Tuesday outside the main entrance of Fire Rock Navajo Casino to honor Navajo Code Talker Frank Chee Willetto of Crownpoint for his role in the building of the nuclear submarine USS New Mexico.

Dick Brown, committee chairman for the New Mexico Council of the Navy League, presented Willetto with an honorary plaque like that given to members of the crew that built the giant vessel. The plaque held a piece of metal left over from construction of the sub.

In April 2008, Willetto traveled to the shipyard at Newport News, Va., where the Navy League had invited him to perform a blessing before construction on the $2.7 billion submarine got underway with the laying and authentication of the keel.

Willetto prayed in Navajo for the safety of the construction crew and that the craft, the sixth in a series of fast-attack submarines built by the Navy, would become operational as it goes out to sea.

"Frank was the most popular guy at the keel ceremony because the people out there had never seen a code talker before so it was exciting. He was the one everyone wanted to see," Brown said.

The USS New Mexico is 377 feet in length and 34 feet in diameter. It weighs 7,800 tons and can dive deeper than 800 feet. It's the second warship named after the Land of Enchantment. The first was an electrically propelled battleship that was built in 1915 and decommissioned in 1946.

"New Mexico is a state that recognizes their veterans," Willetto said, addressing the small audience. "I'm glad I was able to take part in the blessing. I got to meet the crew and the commander, who used to work in New Mexico.

Willetto, 85, was 16 when he was drafted into military service and chosen for training as a code talker. He is Bit'ahnii (Folded Arms Clan), born for Todich'ii'nii (Bitter Water Clan). His maternal grandfather was Taneezahnii (Tangle Clan) and his paternal grandfather was Naakaii Dine'e (Mexican People Clan).

"I want to thank the people that have given me this plaque. It is something to be remembered for," he said.

Willetto said the plaque would probably eventually go to the Navajo Code Talkers Museum and Veterans Center planned at Tse Bonito, N.M. In the meantime, he will keep it safely tucked away, he said.

"There's all kinds of plaques and pictures of my grandchildren on the wall that I don't want to move," Willetto chuckled. "I did promise that I will donate it to the museum when it's completed."

As for the blessing he bestowed on the USS New Mexico, so far it seems to be working.

"When you bless something you have to mean what you've said. This is something that was taught to me from my grandparents," Willetto said. "Mr. Brown said that since then the submarine was finished and everything is running perfectly."

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Governor Martinez issues proclamation making April 6, 2011

"Navy League New Mexico Council Day"

By NLUS (Navy League of the United States)

Greg Trapp, new member of the Navy League New Mexico Council, took the initiative to arrange for this proclamation by Governor Susana Martinez. Greg is the Executive Director of the NM Commission for the Blind.

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USNA Women's Glee Club to perform at Faith Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 12th

By NLUS (Navy League of the United States)

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The Heart of USS New Mexico Support

One of the most active elements of the Navy League's New Mexico Council is the USS New Mexico Committee. It is here where the statewide grassroots initiative for a namesake submarine was born. The committee successfully pursued the name and contributed greatly to construction milestone ceremonies and the commissioning of USS New Mexico (SSN-779), the sixth Virginia-class nuclear submarine to join the fleet.

The committee, in partnership with the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce, continues to foster its relationship with USS New Mexico's officers and crew. With a submarine design life of 33+ years, it is just the beginning of a long-term commitment. This home-state support group brings many benefits to the crew, including visits to the state, enhancements to onboard living quarters, and recognition of top sailors of the quarter and of the year. It also benefits the state by raising awareness among New Mexicans of tIe great honor that has been bestowed upon our state.

The New Mexico Council has been a member of the Hispano Chamber for over three years. Recently, the Chamber became a Navy League community affiliate, thus confirming its support of the US Navy and reinforcing the partnership of local Navy Leaguers and Hispano Chamber members in the mutual support of "our" submarine. This team is the heart of our USS New Mexico support.

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PRESS RELEASE:
USS NEW MEXICO SSN-779 CREW VISIT TO ALBUQUERQUE

Albuquerque, NM - USS NEW MEXICO (SSN-779) Crew will visit Albuquerque January 20 through January 23. CDR George Perez, the new Commanding Officer of the USS New Mexico and his wife Liz Perez will be accompanied by ETCS Eric Murphy, Chief of the Boat, and his wife Marsha Murphy for their first trip to New Mexico since taking command of the boat.

CDR Perez and ETCS Murphy will visit UNM NROTC, the Veterans Administration Hospital and the Bataan Military Academy on January 21 as well as attend other event.

January 23 CDR Perez and ETCS Murphy will attend the Opening of the New Mexico History Museum's USS New Mexico (SSN-779) and USS New Mexico (BB-40) Exhibition. The Exhibition at the Santa Fe New Mexico History Museum will run for the next four months.

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USS NEW MEXICO Commanding Officer, CDR GEORGE PEREZ

Commander George Perez, a native of Corpus Christi, Texas, enlisted in the U. S. Navy in 1986. Upon completion of training as a Nuclear Electrician's Mate, he was selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program (Nuclear Option). Attending the University of Texas, Commander Perez earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in August, 1991.

Commander Perez's first sea assignment was onboard USS HELENA (SSN 725) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, from August 1993 to November 1996, where he served in a variety of division officer billets including Damage Control Assistant and Quality Assurance Officer. While onboard, he completed two deployments to both the Western Pacific and the Arabian Gulf.

His follow-on assignment was as Naval Science Instructor at the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC), University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida where he served from December 1996 to December 1999. During this tour he earned his Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida.

In May 2000, Commander Perez reported as the Combat Systems Officer onboard USS MONTPELIER (SSN 765) in Norfolk, Virginia. During his time onboard, he completed two deployments, including operations off South America during UNITAS 2000 and in the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. In July 2003, Commander Perez reported for duty as a Combat Evaluator for the Tactical Readiness Evaluation Team for the Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In October 2005, Commander Perez reported as Executive Officer onboard USS RHODE ISLAND (SSBN 740)(BLUE) homeported in Kings Bay, Georgia, where he served for two years completing three strategic deterrent patrols and earning two Battle 'E' Awards.

In December 2007, Commander Perez took command of the Provincial Reconstruction Team, Nuristan Province, in eastern Afghanistan where he served with both the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Following this combat tour; Commander Perez served as the Current Operations Officer, Navy Region Southeast, in Jacksonville, FL from February 2009 to March 2010 before entering the Submarine Command pipeline.

Commander Perez is entitled to wear the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), Navy Commendation Medal (five awards), Navy Achievement Medal (two awards) and various unit and service awards. Commander Perez is married to the former Ms. Elizabeth Masterton of Brooklyn, NY and has two children, Matthew Austin and Sydnie Marie.

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The Chief of the Boat (COB) is ETCS (SS) Eric Murphy. Senior Chief Murphy was raised in Philadelphia, PA and enlisted in the Navy on April 1st, 1992. He completed Recruit Training and Interior Communications "A" School in San Diego, CA.

His duty assignments include services aboard USS Providence (SSN-719), Performance Monitoring Team New London, USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720), Commander Submarine Squadron Fifteen Performance Monitoring Team Guam, and USS North Carolina (SSN 777).

Senior Chief Murphy first qualified in submarines in 1993 aboard the USS Providence (SSN-719). During that tour, he completed two deployments to the North Atlantic and one Mediterranean deployment and was advanced to Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class. While serving at Performance Monitoring Team New London, he earned NAVSEA certification as an inspector of Hatches, Steering and Diving Systems and Oxygen Generators. Aboard USS Pittsburgh (SSN-720) he served as the Navigation Electronics Division Leading Petty Officer, Qualified Quartermaster of the Watch, completed two deployments to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and was advanced to Chief Petty Officer. While assigned to the staff of Commander Submarine Squadron Fifteen, he assisted in establishing the first forward deployed Performance Monitoring Team in Guam. He reported to USS North Carolina (SSN-777) commissioning crew as the 3M Coordinator, qualified and served as Assistant Navigator as well as the Navigation and Operations Department Enlisted Advisor, and was advanced to Senior Chief Petty Officer. He reported aboard USS New Mexico in July of 2009, where he now serves as Chief of the Boat.

His personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards) and various unit and campaign awards.

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Submarine USS New Mexico SSN 779 on scale to football field

By NLUS (Navy League of the United States)

A football field is 360ft long, end zone to end zone or goal post to goal post. Submarine USS New Mexico SSN 779 is 377ft long so she would stick out 8.5ft past each goal post if she were centered across the field.

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ROTC Commissioning Ceremony December 17, 2010

By NLUS (Navy League of the United States)

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Navy League of the United States New Mexico Council Elections Held

By NLUS (Navy League of the United States)

The Navy League of the United States New Mexico Council held elections on Sunday, December 5, 2010. The new officers' begin their terms on January 1, 2011.

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Maj. Bill Barker assumes full command

By Andrea Schoellkopf, Albuquerque Journal Staff Writer

Tuesday, September 08, 2009

With military programs booming in Albuquerque schools, the city's Junior ROTC now has its own commander-in-chief.

This summer, Maj. Bill Barker - the go-to guy for high schoolers aspiring to military academy careers - took a new district job overseeing Albuquerque Public Schools military programs.

APS officials hope Barker's new position will allow him to bring to other schools the resounding success he has had at La Cueva.

"With the growth in programs, we need a centralized" command, APS associate superintendent Eddie Soto said, referring to the recent addition of two new high schools and the advent of military-style leadership programs in middle schools like Washington, Ernie Pyle, Van Buren, Garfield and Harrison. There are about 1,400 Junior ROTC students at Albuquerque's 13 traditional high schools, with five Marine programs, four Air Force, three Navy and one Army program. Barker said he wants to see the Army better represented.

Barker comes from a Marine tradition - his grandfather was bayonetted in the throat in France in World War I. Barker spent 25 years in the Marines and another 19 heading up JROTC programs.

He had been the Eldorado JROTC instructor, with La Cueva students coming over to take his class and some transferring schools to be with Barker. The La Cueva principal at the time asked him to come to her school in 1996 to help set up a program, and he transformed the school's auto shop into a JROTC indoor shooting range.

Although Barker said he wanted to start out with 30 to 40 students at La Cueva, 80 signed up the first day. "It's not just inner-city, hard-core kids that need ROTC," he said.

While getting kids into the academies and having them become squadron leaders is as exciting as it comes, Barker said, it starts way before that, when the young freshmen join up and maybe march in a State Fair parade. "A high school with 2,000 students is a big, scary place for a little ninth-grader," Barker said. JROTC is "a place they can go immediately and have 100 friends."

Instructors don't discipline their students, but "we teach them to discipline themselves, to become more responsible."

As the district's longest-serving instructor, Barker has helped to identify retired military members as potential instructors for Albuquerque's high schools. He has coordinated summer programs and camps, drawing kids from around the city, to help recruit and train for high school programs.

And he's made himself available to students in other schools who want extra help for academy admissions. Former JROTC student James Keith said it wasn't unusual to see students from other schools hanging out in the La Cueva classroom at the end of the day.

"We had kids from Rio Rancho, everywhere from around the city," said Keith, who is now a freshman at University of New Mexico's ROTC program. "Because of him, I'm looking at a military career. I want to fly helicopters."

School board member Robert Lucero sent his son, Gavin, then a senior at Cibola High, to Barker when he first talked about joining the military. He said Gavin went to La Cueva after school to work with Barker, and eventually was accepted into West Point.

"I'd like to see some kids from some of the other schools get some opportunities," Barker said. "That's part of why I'm going" to work at the district level.

While other schools in Albuquerque also have had success getting students into military academies, part of Barker's success is a class that works with juniors and seniors on résumé writing, the application process and essays.

"He prepares his students to be able to meet the criteria and the qualifications for all academies, not just the Air Force," said Judy Ortiz-Aragon, the Air Force Academy liaison officer and UNM Air Force ROTC recruiter. She says she is seeing that class being started at other APS schools this year.

Over the last 14 years, 60 of Barker's students have been admitted into military academies, which are among the most difficult to get into.

"He's got huge bragging rights," Ortiz-Aragon said.

Kara Burd-Walker, whose daughter is a La Cueva sophomore, said she was amazed at the number of people who knew Barker when she chaperoned the rifle team's trips across the country. "The man is an incredible networking tool," Burd-Walker said. "He knows everyone and everything in regards to this program. The connections he has are boundless. We can't go into another state without someone knowing Maj. Barker."

Maj. Mark Hendricks, who commands the Naval JROTC program at West Mesa, said the military branches take care of equipment, uniforms and half the salaries, but Barker can help in a lot of the neglected areas, in particular classrooms and facilities.

"He does so much for the quality of the programs districtwide, as well as helping those programs thrive and flourish," Hendricks said.

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October 2010, CAPT LAWRENCE E. OLSEN, Sr., USN reported to
University of New Mexico NROTCto serve as Commanding Officer

By NLUS (Navy League of the United States)

Captain Olsen began his Navy career with his enlistment as a Radioman in Dec 1975. Upon graduation from RM 'A' school, in July of 1976, he attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, RI. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1981 with a B.S. in Chemistry and reported back to Newport for Surface Warfare Officer School, Basic.

USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69) was his first of five ships. He spent three years there as Assistant 'A' Division Officer, 5th Division (Deck) Officer, and Assistant Safety Officer. Next was his tour as Fire Control Officer onboard USS VIRGINIA (CGN-38), during the installation of the first CGN SM-2 (CNO project 731) and Tomahawk missile systems and CIWS and the subsequent Op Test & Eval. Upon completion of that tour, LT Olsen reported to USS AUSTIN (LPD-4) as CIC Officer. After 15 months in AUSTIN, he went back to NETC Newport's SWOSCOLCOM for Dept. Head School.

His first Dept. Head tour was as Weapons Officer in USS TRIPPE (FF-1075), home ported in Newport. Next, he reported to USS PENSACOLA (LSD-38) as First Lieutenant during Desert Storm. Finally, he reported to COMPHIBRON TEN where he was the Assistant for Amphibious Readiness until he separated from active duty and affiliated with Naval Reserve Unit CINCLANTFLT Det 206. He was promoted to LCDR shortly thereafter.

On the civilian side, Mr. Olsen then spent three years working in Alexandria, VA as Senior Systems Engineer and Facility Security Officer for High Technology Solutions, Inc. HTS, a disadvantaged small business (8A), performed the majority of its work for the Department of the Navy in support of Weapons Ranges in the Caribbean and the Pacific.

In May 1995, then-LCDR Olsen returned to temporary active duty on Active Duty for Special Work (ADSW) orders, as assistant Director for Surface & Subsurface Warfare (N722), initially for 90 days. This period stretched to nine months and even included a brief stint (45 days) as Interim Flag Secretary to COMTRALANT. For work during this timeframe, LCDR Olsen was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal.

Upon completion of this ADSW period, LCDR Olsen changed back into civilian clothes and stepped into the Assistant for Joint Training (CLF N721A) billet as a Civil Servant. As part of his joint training duties, he supervised the standing up of the modeling and simulation suite at Dam Neck from which various CARGRU and CRUDESGRU staffs acted as Naval Forces Commander during Unified Endeavor exercises.

He pinned on Commander in the Reserves in June 1998. His Naval Reserve billets include: NR CINCLANTFLT Det 206 (logistics), NR CINCLANTFLT Det 106 (training), NR NAVBASE Norfolk (logistics), Commanding Officer of NR Fleet Training Center, Norfolk, NR PMS AEGIS Det 106 and NR LOGISTICS TASK FORCE ATLANTIC.

CDR Olsen completed the three-year Naval War College non-Resident program Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase 1 in June 1999. In July 1999, he began a 251-day ADSW tour at the Armed Forces Staff College, where he co-developed the pilot course for Reserve Component (RC) JPME, while simultaneously attending the JCSOS JPME Phase 2 for active duty personnel. Shortly after graduation from AFSC, he began yet another ADSW tour, this time at U.S. Joint Forces Command, coordinating Focused Logistics Wargame issues in the J4 directorate.

Upon completion of six months at J4, he returned to the Joint Forces Staff College (Previously AFSC) to continue development and teach the pilot RC JPME web-enabled course. In Oct 2002, Mr. Olsen returned to his Civil Service job at Commander U.S. Atlantic Fleet/Commander Fleet Forces Command (CFFC), working Training Resource issues. Based on his completion of the Naval War College core curriculum and the JFSC Phase 2 curriculum, the Naval War College awarded him his Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies in June of 2003.

Shortly thereafter, he was mobilized in support of OIF/OEF to work logistics with CTF53 in Bahrain, but almost immediately after arrival there, was notified of his recall to full active duty and reassignment as Deputy for the Joint Advisory Division for one year at the U.S. Military Training Mission in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. For three months of this period, he was the interim Chief of Staff for USMTM.

After his year in Saudi Arabia, CDR Olsen was promoted to Captain, and transferred to US Strategic Command, where he served as Deputy to the Plans Division. As a collateral duty, CAPT Olsen spent six months working TAD in the Quadrennial Defense Review Integration Office as Liaison Officer between USSTRATCOM and the Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD). After this task, he was picked to be head of the Global Operations Task Force team overseeing nuclear stockpile reduction. Upon completion of his QDR work, he was transferred to the Joint Forces Component Commander for Global Strike and Integration, where he stood as Battle Watch Commander in the Global Operations Center. Based on his completion of JPME Phases 1 & 2 and his joint tour at USSTRATCOM, CAPT Olsen was designated a Joint Specialty Officer in Nov 2006. At his planned rotation date, CAPT Olsen transferred to the Naval War College as a Military Professor of Strategy and Policy.

In October 2010, CAPT Olsen reported to the University of New Mexico NROTC to serve as the Commanding Officer.

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Navy League of the United States New Mexico Council named "Outstanding Councils" Award Winner; Chapter Member Dick Brown received Distinguished Service Award; Scroll of Honor Award; Public Relations Recognition Program Award for 2009

By NLUS (Navy League of the United States)

The "Outstanding Council" award for 2009 will be presented to the New Mexico Council during the Honors Ceremony of the 2010 National Convention, October 18-24, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The "Outstanding Council" award is the highest award given and other Councils receiving this outstanding award were Bremerton-Olympia, Peninsula, Broward County, Corpus Christi, Golden Isles, Hampton Roads, Honululu, Mayport, National Capital, Newport County, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Sasebo Japan, Savannah and Seattle. Eleven councils received "Meritorious" Awards and eleven councils received "Honorable Mention." To all councils selected for an award,well done!

IN ADDITION:New Mexico Council's Dick Brown, Chairman of the USS New Mexico (SSN-779) Commissioning Committee (and now Committee) was awarded the NLUS "Distinguished Service Award". This award is given to only one person each year and is the highest award given annually. Dick Brown received an engraved medal and certificate which he wore proudly at the 2010 Navy Birthday Ball. Bataan Military Academy's Instructor Raymond J. Griffith, NSCC, was awarded the Judge R.T.S. Colby Scroll of Honor Award for Excellence in Training. Griffith is an instructor at Bataan Military Academy, an Albuquerque Charter School. The Scroll of Honor is the second highest award the NLUS gives on the national level. NM Council won the first two highest awards possible. In addition the NM Council Chapter received the Public Relations Recognition Program Award for 2009.To the NLUS New Mexico Chapter, well done! Indeed, well done!

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CAPT KATHRYN P. (KAY) HIRE ADDRESSES 2010 NAVY BIRTHDAY BALL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, October 25, 2010

Saturday, October 23, NASA astronaut, U. S. Navy Capt. Kathryn P. (Kay) Hire, the guest speaker, welcomed over 200 guests including 80 Sea Cadets from the Bataan Military Academy Albuquerque to the 2010 U.S. Navy Birthday Ball celebrating the Navy's 235th Anniversary at the Sheraton Hotel Uptown. The event was sponsored by Barefoot Wines, Sandia National Laboratories, Dave and Marlene Mathis, Summit Construction and supported by Navy League of the US New Mexico Council, Navy Operational Support Center Albuquerque, Navy ROTC University of New Mexico and the Navy Sea Cadets.

In her remarks, Hire noted the U.S. Navy has been involved in the space program since NASA was created. Naval Aviators in space include Alan Shepard, John Glenn (U.S. Marine), Neil Armstrong, and Navy Capt. Scott Kelly currently onboard the International Space Station, and many more. The Navy has provided about 110 astronauts to our space program, more than any other service. Hire stated there have been 132 shuttle launches and the next flight is scheduled for 4:40 p.m. EDT on Monday, Nov. 1. The last space shuttle flight is targeted for February 2011. The year 2011 will also be significant as the Centennial of Naval Aviation - 100 years since the Navy purchased its first aircraft. Hire expressed her pride in the Navy's deep history and great accomplishments in aviation and space. She then narrated a video showing highlights of her space shuttle mission, STS-130.

In an interview after the ceremonies, Hire acknowledged in light of the difficult economy and budget cutbacks, "NASA's next generation spacecraft is on hold, but scientific experiments continue in space onboard the International Space Station." As Hire put it, "there's not much exploring, but a whole lot of science and research being done at the space station." Hire is optimistic that space will someday become more accessible and with continued experimentation she hopes "those who go to space will share their perspectives as we learn to look at the Earth differently." She is encouraged with the "phenomenal talent our country has to offer."

Commissioned as a Naval Officer in 1981, Hire earned her Naval Flight Officer Wings in 1982. She flew worldwide oceanographic research missions to 25 countries abroad specially configured P-3 Orion aircraft with Oceanographic Development Squadron Eight (VXN-8). She later taught airborne navigation for three years to over 600 student naval flight officers. In 1989, Hire left full time naval ranks and began parallel, but separate civilian and military careers as a space shuttle engineer and as a Navy Reserve Officer.

On May 13, 1993, Hire became the first female in the U.S. military to be assigned to a combat aircrew when she reported to Patrol Squadron 62 (VP-62). Flying aboard the P-3 maritime patrol aircraft, she participated in Atlantic and Caribbean operations. Hire continued her Navy Reserve duty with various units based in Florida, Louisiana and Texas. She was recalled to active naval duty supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom as a member of the U.S. Naval Central Command staff. Hire later resumed part-time reserve status and served as Commanding Officer of Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) Unit 1010. She is currently the Commanding Officer of the Office of Naval Research / Naval Research Laboratory (ONR / NRL) Unit 113 supporting projects at the Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, California.

Hire reported to the Johnson Space Center for astronaut training in March of 1995 and flew on space shuttle missions STS-90 (1998) and STS-130 (2010). She has logged over 711 hours in space and currently serves on the Astronaut Support Personnel (ASP) team traveling to Florida in support of crew launch and landing operations conducted at the Kennedy Space Center. On STS-90 (April 17-May 3, 1998) Hire served as the flight engineer during the 16-day mission. The seven-member crew aboard space shuttle Columbia, served as both test subjects and operators for 26 life science experiments, which focused on the effects of microgravity on the brain and central nervous system. The STS-90 crew orbited the Earth 256 times and covered 6.3 million miles. Earlier this year, Hire and her crewmates flew aboard space shuttle Endeavor on STS-130 (February 8-21, 2010). STS-130 crew delivered and outfitted Node 3 also known as Tranquility and the Cupola, a seven-windowed portal for the space station. As mission specialist, Hire operated the robotic arm, led the transfer of 4500 pounds of cargo, and helped install water recycling, air cleaning and cooling systems and crew exercise equipment in Node 3. During the 2-week mission, the crew traveled over 5.7 million miles and completed 217 orbits of the earth.

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USS NEW MEXICO (SSN-779) CHANGE-OF-COMMAND OCCURS OCTOBER 16, 2010

By Dick Brown, Chairman USS New Mexico Committee

The new USS New Mexico CO is CDR George Perez (of Corpus Christi, TX, site of last year's Navy League National Convention) and he's very excited about his new command and to continuing the strong state-submarine relationship that we have going. He and the COB, plus wives, plan to be here in January for the grand opening of the USS New Mexico Exhibition and a meeting with our committee. The boat goes back in the water mid-December but will be pierside till June, but after that, the skipper wants to take us to sea for a day. Our boat will spend the second half of 2011 getting certified for deployment in 2012. With our shortage of subs, deployments are now 7 & 8 months long instead of 6.



George has a house in Groton but Liz and the kids (Matt & Sydnie) still live in Jacksonville where I'm headed later this coming week. ADM and Cindy G introduced us to George who has recently returned from Afghanistan. In his remarks, George stated it will be a refreshing change being in a place where no one is trying to shoot him. He addressed his crew, acknowledging the many challenges they have met in the past, but cautioned that there are many more ahead. He thanked Mark for laying the foundation for the next three decades (life of the boat). David, Marlene and I had lots of chances to talk with George and get to know each other a little better. Then I joined George and his family on a 90-minute tour of USS New Hampshire (SSN-778). Also good talks with Rob Dain as well as Capt Michael Bernacchi, SUBron4 Commodore to whom George reports. Bernacchi was the Navigator on USS Albuquerque and the XO on USS Santa Fe. Speaking of reports, the Commodore is going to encourage George to send quarterly reports to us and the Gov as everyone is wanting to keep our state-sub relationship active and vibrant. We'll encourage responses from the Gov.



I'm very encouraged that we have another skipper who is very upbeat about our state (George has been to ABQ, Santa Fe & Taos a few times) as well as being highly interested in our Navy League support of the crew. He is also interested in BB-40 and encourages us to invite some BB-40 sailors to the Santa Fe exhibit in Jan. He was at New Mexico's commissioning but maintained a low profile.



It was also good to see many of the crew members we have come to know and RDML McLaughlin CSG2 again; he served as the principal speaker. First photo courtesy of CSG2. The second two photos were taken by Wendy Lopez Poling who does a program called NavyWifeRadio. George and I were separately interviewed by Wendy. She's from Alamogordo, NM and her husband is at sea on USS Missouri (SSN-780) right now.

In a few days, I'm headed to JAX for the Navy League Nat'l Convention and Maritime Policy Committee meetings. I'll return with some council awards and bring them to the Navy Ball. Also, I've accepted an invitation to attend VADM Donnelly's change-of-command and retirement ceremony in Norfolk on 11/5, pier 14, along side the USS Montpelier (SSN 765). The very next day, PCU California (SSN 781) will be christened at Newport News. George was the Weapons Officer on Montpelier and his former CO joined us on the New Hampshire tour. As Disney said, it's a small world after all.

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USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) Holds Change of Command

From: Submarine Squadron 11 Public Affairs, July 23, 2010

NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, Calif. - Cmdr. Christopher J. Cavanaugh relieved Cmdr. Michael G. Badorf as Commanding Officer of the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) during a pier side change of command ceremony on Naval Base Point Loma, July 23.

Under Badorf's command, Albuquerque steamed more than 50,000 miles in support of the Chief of Naval Operations' Maritime Strategy. He successfully completed an inter-fleet transfer and change of homeport from Groton, Conn. to San Diego as part of an around the world six month deployment through three Fleet Areas of Responsibility.

Rear Adm. Jerry K. Burroughs, Program Executive Officer of Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence, was the guest speaker.

"As a former commanding officer, each time I see this wonderful ship, it rekindles fond memories," said Rear Adm. Burroughs. "The best day in a Navy Submarine Officer's career is the day one assumes command of a boat."

Cavanaugh expressed his enthusiasm in his upcoming command tour stating, "I have been continually impressed by the motivation, the optimism, and the general desire to do well on Albuquerque... For me, there is no higher honor than to lead you as your commanding officer."

Cavanaugh, a native of Convoy Ohio, began his Navy career in 1993 after graduating from the United States Naval Academy with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Badorf, a native of Lititz, Penn., will serve his next tour of duty as the senior member of the Atlantic Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examination Board in Norfolk, Va. His previous assignments include USS Portsmouth (SSN 707), USS Charlotte (SSN 766) and USS Asheville (SSN 758). He holds a master's degree in nuclear engineering from University of California at Berkeley and a master's degree in international affairs from the Catholic University of America. Badorf received the Meritorious Service Medal for his command tour.

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