(l-r) On Friday, October 15, Commander Mark Prokopius turned over command of the Virginia-class attack submarine, USS New Mexico (SSN 779) to Commander George Perez in a ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base New London’s Shepherd of the Sea Chapel.
story & photos
by Christopher Annino
The USS New Mexico (SSN 779) was commissioned on March 27, 2010 at the Norfolk Naval Base and is now officially a member of the fleet of the United States Navy. On Friday, October 15, Commander Mark Prokopius turned over command of the Virginia-class attack submarine to Commander George Perez in a ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base New London’s Shepherd of the Sea Chapel.
Cmdr. Prokopius has a very successful career both as a Naval officer and as a civilian. He holds a bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and a Masters of Engineering Management degree from Old Dominion University. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (two awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (six awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal (three awards), as well as, various unit awards.
Cmdr. Prokopius also served as a member of the Atlantic Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board. “We are very proud of him and all of his accomplishments” said Kathy, his wife.
Cmdr. Prokopius added “It will be bitter sweet I will miss taking my crew to sea. I have nothing but positive to say about Commander Perez I wish him the best and I know he will do a tremendous job. The message I would like to leave to my crew is I would like them to continue to progress and move forward through adversity.”
Cmdr. Perez previously served as combat systems officer aboard USS Montpelier (SSN 765) and executive officer aboard USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740). He also commanded the Provincial Reconstruction Team in eastern Afghanistan’s Nuristan Province, where he served with both the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Perez most recently served as the current operations officer for the Navy Region Southeast.
“I am looking forward to taking command of the USS New Mexico it is a challenge that I am looking forward to. For right now the ship will be in the boat yard for the next few months for maintenance and repairs” said Cmdr. Perez.
During the celebration Cmdr. Prokopius received the meritorious service medal. The award is for, Prokopius advancing the New Mexico and her crew to the leading edge, and for it to be the first Virginia-class submarine to be fully certified in all tactical war fighting areas during Weapons System Acceptance Testing. Rear Admiral Michael McLaughlin was the guest speaker at the event and commented on Prokopius’s tenure as the Commanding officer of the USS New Mexico.
Lt. Cmdr. Sean Stein and his wife, Nina, share the traditional first kiss during the homecoming of USS Pittsburgh on October 15.
story & photos
by Christopher Annino
On October 15, Commander Michael Savageaux safely led his 13 officers and 121 enlisted sailors safely home to the open arms of their friends and family waiting at the Naval Submarine Base New London. The USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) was commissioned November 23, 1985 and is the fourth-Navy vessel to be named for Pittsburgh, PA. The USS Pittsburgh, a Los Angeles-class attack submarine, uses its stealth, persistence, agility and firepower to deploy and support special force missions.
“It is great to see all the families today and it is nice to come home, I am very proud of my men and what we accomplished,” said Commander Savageaux.
The Pittsburgh departed for deployment on April 1 and conducted operations in the European Command area. It also supported with missions vital to national security interests. Some of the ports visited were in Scotland, Norway, France, and England.
Machinists Mate 1st Class Zachary Shafer holds his daughter, Jesse, for the first time during the USS Pittsburgh homecoming at Naval Submarine Base New London. Jesse was born while the Los Angeles-class submarine was deployed.
(l-r) Naval Submarine Base New London’s Child Development Center officially opens the newly rennovated Building 383 as Captain Marc W. Denno, Subase Commanding Officer, Commander Daniel Rossler, Subase Executive Officer, Marilyn Deshields, Program Supervisor, Child Development Center, Bob Kydd, Director, Subase Morale, Welfare, and Recreation, Subase Command Master Chief Ray Powell and Cathy Terrall, Director, Child and Youth Program, cut the ribbon with help from some of the CDC’s students.
Naval Submarine Base New London held a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new building in its Child Development Center (CDC) on Monday, August 30.
The Subase Child Development Center provides a safe, nurturing and caring environment to promote the healthy growth and development of more than 150 military community children. The totally rennovated, now state-of-the-art Building 383 facility will allow 86 more children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years, from the military community to benefit from the Center’s commitment and services. Captain Mark Denno, Commanding Officer, Subase, said that this will “hopefully eliminate the current CDC waiting list.”
“The Child Development Center is committed to positively impacting Subase’s fleet, fighters and families through the best child care we can deliver,” said Janet Anderson, director, CDC. “It is an honor for us to do so, as the members of our military community serve and sacrifice in support and defense of our great Navy and nation.”
The transformation of Building 383 is just a part of the many dynamic undertakings to improve Subase New London’s infrastructure in support of the Groton Chapter of the Navy’s Shore Vision 2035 Plan.
(l-r) Denny Hicks, Chamber of Commerce ECT, presents Food Service Specialist First Class Brandon Ingram, with a plaque in honoring him as Service Person of the Month.
Food Service Specialist First Class Brandon Ingram was selected as Service Person of the Month for August. The New London Kiwanis honored Ingram on August 25 during a luncheon at Mitchell College Clark Center, New London.
The Service Person of the Month Program provides community recognition of outstanding active duty enlisted personnel stationed in the Groton-New London area. Coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern CT in cooperation with all active duty units of military organizations permanently based in the area, the program is actively supported by local service clubs and civic organizations who celebrate the monthly awardees at events sponsored by the clubs or organizations.
Brandon serves as the Quality Assurance Evaluator for dining services at the Coast Guard Academy. He demonstrated exceptional dedication and a consistent high level of leadership as one of only two petty officers chosen to perform the collateral duties of first line mentor of two cadets. Ingram willingly gave his personal time to mentor these cadets. And during a suitability for service board, gave testimony as to the progress one had made, eventually leading to his being retained as a Petty Officer. The performance of Brandon at this hearing led him to be selected to sit on a leadership board.
Brandon, being a forward thinker, recommended that rechargeable emergency lighting be purchased in sufficient quantity to light most of the wardroom, galley and the All Hands Dining Facility should the power ever go out.
After receiving his gifts, Ingram said “None of this would be possible without the support of my wife. She gives me the courage and motivation to continue to do the things I do.”
(l-r) Alfred Ramage, Virginia Ann Ramage-Ross, Dr. Joan Ramage-Mitchell and James L. Ramage, stand with Capt. Marc Denno, Subase Commanding Officer, and Subase Command Master Chief Ray Powell as they unveil the new Ramage Hall sign in front of Building 86, the recently transformed Headquarters Building at Naval Submarine Base New London on August 20. The late Vice Admiral Lawson P. “Red” Ramage received the Medal of Honor during WWII, while he was in command of USS Parche (SS 384).
