USS Kentucky Sailor to Re-enlist at State Capitol

By The Commodore

Apr

19

Frankfort, Ky – Senior Chief Machinist Mate (SS) Jeremy Shaw will re-enlist in the United States Navy at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, April 20, 2011. Commonwealth of Kentucky Secretary of State Elaine Walker will host the re-enlistment ceremony in the Capitol Building Rotunda, and the Adjutant General of Kentucky Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini will administer the oath of enlistment. The event is open to the public.

Senior Chief Shaw is the auxiliary leading chief petty officer aboard USS Kentucky’s (SSBN 737) Blue Crew. He will be accompanied by Weapons Officer Lt. Cory Hudson and Lt.J.g. Erik Chamberlain. They are part of a contingent of six sailors from USS Kentucky, currently conducting a namesake visit across Kentucky. Continued…

Thoroughbreds and Sluggers Surface at Thunder

By The Commodore

Apr

13

LOUISVILLE, KY – Crew members from USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) and USS Louisville (SSN 724) will be conducting separate namesake visits to the Louisville-area during mid-April. In what officials describe as a rare occurrence, the sailors from both submarines will make several joint appearances at Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday, April 16.

“I’ve been coordinating namesake visits for both boats since 1995,” said Philip Setters from the Thoroughbred Sub Club. “This is the first time I have been aware of two boats conducting simultaneous visits in our area, and I haven’t found anyone that can recall it happening anywhere else, either. I am glad it is happening at Thunder Over Louisville, which has previously included participation from both submarines.” Continued…

USS Kentucky to attend North Bullitt matchup with LaRue

By The Commodore

Oct

6

Shepherdsville, Ky – While much of the equine world’s attention will be focused on the World Equestrian Games in Lexington this weekend, spectators at Friday night’s football game between the North Bullitt Eagles and LaRue County Hawks will have a chance to see a horse of a different sort. Three Sailors from USS Kentucky (SSBN 737), the “Thoroughbred of the Fleet,” will be participating in the coin toss just prior to the game. Continued…

USS Kentucky Receives Omaha Trophy

By The Commodore

Oct

6

Strategic Command Consultation Committee Member, Mr. Joe Moglia congratulates Sailors assigned to the blue and gold crews of USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) for their achievement of excellence before presenting the prestigious Omaha Trophy to the boat during a ceremony on Delta Pier at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Wash., Sept. 29. The Omaha Trophy, sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) and the U.S. Strategic Command Consultation Committee, is given annually to the best ballistic missile submarine as well as units with intercontinental ballistic missiles, strategic aircraft and strategic space and information operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gretchen Albrecht.

Strategic Command Consultation Committee Member, Mr. Joe Moglia congratulates Sailors assigned to the blue and gold crews of USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) for their achievement of excellence before presenting the prestigious Omaha Trophy to the boat during a ceremony on Delta Pier at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Wash., Sept. 29. The Omaha Trophy, sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) and the U.S. Strategic Command Consultation Committee, is given annually to the best ballistic missile submarine as well as units with intercontinental ballistic missiles, strategic aircraft and strategic space and information operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gretchen Albrecht.

Courtesy Navy NewsStand

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gretchen Albrecht, Commander, Submarine Group 9 Public Affairs

The blue and gold crews of USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) were presented the prestigious Omaha Trophy during a ceremony on Delta Pier at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Wash., Sept. 29.

The Omaha Trophy, sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM) and the U.S. Strategic Command Consultation Committee, is given annually to the best ballistic missile submarine as well as units with intercontinental ballistic missiles, strategic aircraft and strategic space and information operations. Continued…

USS Kentucky’s 2003 Visit to Worthington Elementary

By The Commodore

Sep

12

USS Kentucky Featured on Modern Marvels

By The Commodore

Jul

27

Louisville, Ky – USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) was featured during a segment of the History Channel’s “Modern Marvel’s.” The episode entitled “Mega Meals” originally aired 25 March 2010.

USS Nevada Celebrates a Crew Split, Assumption of Command Ceremony

By The Commodore

Jul

18

Courtesy Navy NewsStand. (note: Cmdr. Schrader was a USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Blue) XO)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gretchen M. Albrecht, Commander Submarine Group 9 Public Affairs

BANGOR, Wash. (NNS) — Family, friends, special guests and the officers and Sailors of USS Nevada (SSBN 733) witnessed a crew split and assumption of command ceremony at Marginal Pier at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Wash., July 12.

Cmdr. Peter Hudson assumed command of Nevada (Gold) and Cmdr. Edward Schrader assumed command of Nevada (Blue). Continued…

Service Members Participate in Local School Awards Ceremony

By The Commodore

Jun

22

Courtesy Navy NewsStand.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Maebel Ysog Tinoko, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest

POULSBO, Wash. (NNS) — Sailors assigned to USS Kentucky (Blue) (SSBN 737) attended a Personal Excellence through Cooperative Education (PECE) awards ceremony held at Vinland Elementary School in Poulsbo, Wash., June 18.

Command Master Chief (SS) Bill Mast, chief of the boat and Chief Machinist’s Mate (SS) Jeremy Shaw, leading chief petty officer of Auxillary Division, were special guests at the ceremony and gave two top students a ‘Sailing into the Future’ award. Continued…

Congratulations USS Kentucky!

By The Commodore

Jun

2

Courtesy Submarine Group 9

Offutt AFB, Neb. – Gen. Kevin P. Chilton, commander, U.S. Strategic Command, recently announced the four 2009 Omaha Trophy winners, an honor awarded annually to military units demonstrating the highest performance standards in USSTRATCOM mission areas. The winners are:

Global Operations Trophy: 67th Network Warfare Wing, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Trophy: 341st Space Wing, Malmstrom Air Force Base, Great Falls, Mont.
Submarine Ballistic Missile Trophy: USS KENTUCKY (SSBN 737), Naval Submarine Base, Bangor, Wa.
Strategic Aircraft Operations Trophy: 55th Wing, Offutt, Air Force Base, Neb. Continued…

USS Kentucky Sailor of the Quarter Honored by Rotary Club of Silverdale

By The Commodore

May

15

Silverdale, WA – USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Gold) sailor of the quarter Petty Officer 1st Class (SS) Jared Keener was recognized by the Rotary Club of Silverdale.

Command Leadership School Hosts Highlights in Leadership in Kitsap County

By The Commodore

May

10

Courtesy news.navy.mil.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Maebel Tinoko, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest

BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) — Command Leadership School (CLS) Newport, R.I., sponsored a one day seminar titled “Highlights in Leadership” held at the Jackson Park Community Center and at the Naval Base Kitsap (NBK) Bangor Fleet and Family Support Center May 6. Continued…

USS Kentucky’s Blue Crew Makes a May Visit to the Commonwealth

By The Commodore

May

6

Mrs. Biehle's 4th Grade Class at Worthington Elementary School

Mrs. Biehle's 4th Grade Class at Worthington Elementary School

Louisville, KY – Seven sailors from USS Kentucky’s (SSBN 737) Blue Crew visited the boat’s namesake commonwealth for the Kentucky Derby 1-6 May, 2010. Commanding officer Cmdr. Eduardo Fernandez was joined by Lt.j.g. Richard L. Sanford, Lt.j.g. Hunter Barns, Senior Chief Petty Officer (SS) Thomas A. Daly, Senior Chief Petty Officer (SS) Jonathan E. Calloway, Petty Officer 1st Class (SS) Brian P. Harper, and Petty Officer 2nd Class (SS) Ricky R. Garcia for a broad-ranging visit across Kentucky.

During the week, the crew members visited a number of businesses, attended the Kentucky Derby, made presentations to several NJROTC units, met with faculty and administrators at University of Kentucky, enjoyed the local hospitality, and of course made time to visit their adopted school, Worthington Elementary School.

USS Kentucky Visits Worthington Elementary School

By The Commodore

May

6

USS Kentucky Throws Out First Pitch at Applebee’s Park

By The Commodore

May

5

USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Blue) to Visit Namesake for Derby

By The Commodore

Apr

30

WHAT: From Saturday, May 1, through Wednesday, May 5, seven members of the Trident submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Blue) will be visiting their “namesake” commonwealth to strengthen ties with the community. During their stay, they will be available for interviews and speaking engagements upon request and scheduling. Continued…

USS Kentucky Change of Command

By The Commodore

Feb

22

USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Gold) Change of Command

Naval Base Kistap-Bangor, WA - Cmdr. Joseph Nosse formally relieves Cmdr. Ben Pearson III as commanding officer of USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Gold), February 19, 2010. This photo may not be re-used.

Courtesy Navy NewsStand.

By Lt. Kellie Randall, Commander, Submarine Group 9 Public Affairs

BANGOR, Wash. (NNS) — USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (GOLD) held a change of command ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap, Feb. 19.

Cmdr. Benjamin Pearson was relieved as the commanding officer of Kentucky by Cmdr. Joseph Noose.

With the traditional reading of orders and a heartfelt goodbye to the Sailors he commanded, Pearson turned over his boat and crew.

While under Pearson’s command, Kentucky was awarded the Battle Efficiency Award (Battle “E”) from Commander, Submarine Squadron 17. They were chosen above 6 other squadron boats. Continued…

USS Kentucky Awarded the Battle “E”

By The Commodore

Feb

20

USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Blue) Sporting a Battle 'E'

The crew of the USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Blue/Gold) stands proudly with their recently awarded Battle “E” Feb. 8. The Battle Effectiveness award is presented to the ship which shows sustained and superior excellence over the other ships in its class.

BANGOR, WA – Commander Submarine Squadron 17 (CSS 17) awarded the 2009 Battle Efficiency, or Battle “E,” award to the USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) Feb. 8 at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor.

The coveted Battle “E” is awarded annually to one ship in each class that maintains the greatest condition of readiness to perform their wartime responsibilities. It recognizes sustained superior performance of the crew and the ship. The competition is conducted to strengthen individual command performance, overall force readiness, and to recognize outstanding performance.

The competition was tough; Kentucky was selected from six other units assigned to CSS 17.

Cmdr. Eduardo Fernandez, Kentucky Blue Commanding Officer, attributed their success to the cohesiveness and hard work of the crew. “I am blessed with a great crew, proactive officers and dedicated chief petty officers, who are very supportive of each other,” said Fernandez. Continued…

Kentucky House of Representatives Honors USS Kentucky

By The Commodore

Jan

29

Reenlistment of MM2(SS) David Brunner

By The Commodore

Jan

29

Thoroughbreds Race Through Kentucky from Russell to Russellville

By The Commodore

Jan

24

MT3(SS) Cameron Kisselbaugh Visits National Corvette Museum

Bowling Green, KY - USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) Gold Crew Missile Technician 3rd Class (SS) Cameron Kisselbaugh visited the National Corvette Museum as part of a namesake visit, January 22, 2010.

Louisville, KY – Four Sailors from USS Kentucky (SSBN 737), the “Thoroughbred of the Fleet,” conducted a namesake visit to the commonwealth January 17-23, 2010. Gold Crew Commanding Officer Ben Pearson III, was joined by Chief Hospital Corpsman (SS) Joseph C. Enderton, Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class (SS) David S. Bruner, and Missile Technician 2nd Class (SS) Cameron R. Kisselbaugh for the trip which included stops from Russell in Greenup County to Russellville in Logan County, Kisselbaugh’s hometown.

USS Kentucky Sailor Becomes First to Reenlist During Session of House

By The Commodore

Jan

21

MM2(SS) David S. Brunner Reenlists

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 21, 2010) Machinist's Mate second Class David Brunner, an auxiliary man assigned to the fleet ballistic missile submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Gold), re-enlists on the floor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky House of Representatives by Capt. (Ret.) Mike Cherry with the assistance of House Speaker Gregory Stumbo. Cherry is a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives. The reenlistment was the first in the history of the Kentucky Legislature. Courtesy LRC Public Information.

Frankfort, KY – Machinist Mate 2nd Class (SS) David S. Brunner became the first person known to have re-enlisted during a session of the Kentucky House of Representatives today. Rep. Mike Cherry (D-Princeton), a retired Navy captain administered the oath, while House Speaker Greg Stumbo (D-Prestonsburg) held the Bible.

Bruner, a native Texan, is currently assigned to USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) Gold Crew, and was in Kentucky as part of a namesake visit.

USS Kentucky Namesake Visit Covered by Ashland’s Daily Independent

By The Commodore

Jan

21

Worthington, KY – The Daily Independent in Ashland covered the USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) Gold Crew namesake visit yesterday. The article can be read on their web site.

Submarine Group 9 Welcomes New Commander

By The Commodore

Aug

11

090807-N-8119A-072

090807-N-8119A-072 BANGOR, Wash. (Aug. 7, 2009) Rear Adm. Frank Caldwell, Jr., left, takes command from Rear Adm. Timothy Giardina, and reports to Rear Adm. Douglas McAneny, commander of Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, during the Submarine Group 9 change of command ceremony. The ceremony was held on Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor. Giardina, who was promoted to Rear Adm. upper half just 30 minutes before the ceremony, will report as Director, Readiness and Training to U.S. Fleet Forces Command in Norfolk, Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gretchen M. Albrecht/Released)

Courtesy Navy NewsStand. (note: Rear Adm. Giardina was a USS Kentucky (Gold) CO)

By Lt. Kellie Randall, Commander, Submarine Group 9 Public Affairs

BANGOR, WA (NNS) — Commander, Submarine Group 9 conducted a change command during a ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap Aug. 7.

Rear Adm. Timothy Giardina transferred command to Rear Adm. Frank Caldwell Jr.

Giardina, a 1979 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, supervised numerous events as commander including all west coast fleet ballistic missile submarines achieving 100 percent weapons, navigation and communication readiness while on patrol; the submarine force celebration of the 1,000th Ohio-class SSBN strategic deterrent patrol; and the conversion and successful first patrol of USS Ohio (SSGN 726) and USS Michigan (SSGN 727). Continued…

Thoroughbred of the Fleet Runs at Churchill Downs

By LTJG Jake Whiteley, SC, USN

Jul

13

Bangor, WA – Sailors from USS KENTUCKY (SSBN 737) (GOLD) recently traveled to the Commonwealth of Kentucky for a namesake visit over Independence Day Weekend.

MMCM(SS) Scott Moore Re-enlists at Churchill Downs

By The Commodore

Jul

3

Louisville, KY – Master Chief Machinist’s Mate (SS) Scott Moore, Chief of the Boat, USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) (Gold) re-enlisted as part of Military Appreciation Night at Churchill Downs in the “Winner’s Circle” in front of over 35,000 people. Continued…

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