NASSCO Launches USNS Carl Brashear
General Dynamics NASSCO launched the U.S. Navy's newest resupply ship, USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE 7), during a christening ceremony. The ship is named in honor of Master Chief Petty Officer Carl Brashear, the first African-American to qualify and serve as a Master Diver in the Navy. Brashear's military career was portrayed in the 2000 movie Men of Honor. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead and the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Joe Campa, Jr., spoke at the ceremony. Lauren Brashear, Master Chief Brashear's granddaughter, christened the ship by breaking the traditional bottle of champagne against the bow before the ship slid into San Diego Bay. More than 3,000 people attended the ceremony, including Robert De Niro, who starred in Men of Honor.
NB Kitsap Submariners Celebrate 107 Years of History
More than 1,100 submariners and their guests attended the 107th Enlisted Submariner's Birthday Ball at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel Grand Ballroom on April 28. Twenty submariner commands from the Naval Base (NB) Kitsap region attended the event, which included special guests: Rear Adm. Frank M. Drennan, the commander of Submarine Group 9; Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (SW/FMF) Joe Campa Jr.; Pacific Fleet Command Master Chief (SS/SW) Rick West; U.S. 3rd Fleet Command Master Chief (SS/SW) Mark Rudes; Submarine Force Pacific Command Master Chief (SS) Mo Pollard. Campa addressed and thanked the crews for what they do for the country and thanked the family members for their support of our submariners.
