MCPON sends Labor Day message to troops, see page 2

INDEX
INSIDE
Local..............................2
Classifieds........................7
Vol. 50, No. 10 Thursday, September 1, 2011 Serving the Military Community in Southeastern Connecticut since 1918
CSG2 puts
on a baby
shower
Page 6
Mulcahy
retires
Page 3
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Base closure
hotline
For the latest regard-
ing base closure or
delayed opening, call
the base hotline at 694-
4444 or check out the
Naval Submarine Base
New London facebook
page.
Additionally, the
base participates in the
alert programs oper-
ated by the following
media partners: WFSB-
TV-3 (CBS) WVIT-TV-
30 (NBC) CITADEL
BROADCASTINGQ105
(FM 105.5), The Wolf
(FM 104.7), WXLM
(FM 102.3), and WSUB
(AM 980).
The Hurricane of 2011: Irene
Photo by MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair
GROTON, Conn. - Above,
Sailors from across Naval
Submarine Base New
London (SUBASE) move
sand bags onto pallets at the
bases Alpha lot, in prepa-
ration for deployment along
the waterfront prior to the
arrival of Hurricane Irene.
Right, Master-at-Arms from
Naval Submarine Base New
Londons (SUBASE) Security
Department make their way
along the flooded waterfront
as they survey the affects of
Hurricane Irene and ensure
unauthorized personnel stay
away from the piers dur-
ing the storm. For more on
SUBASEs preparation and
the aftermath of Hurricane
Irene, see pages 4 and 5.
Commander
Submarine Group 2
changes command
By Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Commander, Submarine Group 2
Public Affairs
GROTON, Conn. -
More than 300 people
attended the Commander,
Submarine Group (CSG) 2
change of command cer-
emony at Shepherd of the
Sea Chapel, Aug. 26.
Rear Admiral Michael
McLaughlin turned
over command of CSG
2 to Rear Adm. Richard
Breckenridge.
Vice Adm. John
Richardson, Commander,
Submarine Forces couldnt
attend due to preparations
for Hurricane Irene, but
his remarks were read
during the ceremony.
It took the combina-
tion of an earthquake and
a hurricane to keep me
away, said Richardson.
And although, I could not
be there in person, I did
not want to let this day
go by without express-
ing my admiration and
respect for the two offi-
cers involved in todays
ceremony, Admiral Mike
McLaughlin and Admiral
Rick Breckenridge.
Richardson highlight-
ed the significance of
McLaughlins time in com-
mand at CSG 2.
Your greatest accom-
plishment - your legacy
- will be the people you
trained, mentored and took
care of, said Richardson.
Our Sailors and families
were always first in your
mind and heart.
Richardson also reflect-
ed on Breckenridges suc-
cesses and the path that
led him to command CSG
2, especially his assistance
in crafting the Design for
Undersea Warfare.
You went far beyond
just devising the strategy;
you were also tireless in
making sure that our key
national leaders and the
Continued on page 3
Photo by MC1 Virginia K. Schaefer
GROTON, Conn. - Rear Admiral Richard Breckenridge relieves Rear Adm. Michael E. McLaughlin as
Commander, Submarine Group Two during the CSG2 change of command ceremony. The ceremony
was held at the Shepherd of the Sea Chapel in Groton, Conn.
CNO reenlists PCU Minnesota Sailors
From Commander
Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs
WASHINGTON - Two
P r e - C o mmi s s i o n i n g
Unit (PCU) Minnesota
(SSN 783) Sailors were
re-enlisted by Chief of
Naval Operations (CNO)
Admiral Gary Roughead
at a reenlistment cer-
emony held at the
Pentagon, Aug. 19.
There is nothing that
I enjoy more than being
able to either enlist or
re-enlist a Sailor in the
Navy, said Roughead.
To me its a state-
ment that an individual
makes to be more than
just themselves, and
serve their Navy and our
country.
Electricians Mate
First Class (SS) Perry
Benzschawel , from
Eau Claire, Wis., and
Machinists Mate Third
Class Michael Low, of
Bonham, Texas were
selected for the re-enlist-
ment by Commander
J ohn Fanc he r ,
Minnesotas command-
ing officer.
Pet t y of f i cer s
Benzschawel and Low
took the bold initiative
to request that the CNO
preside over their reen-
listments, said Pancher.
Given our ships unique
relationship with the
Rougheads, I thought it
was a great opportunity
to bring them and my
crew together to cele-
brate the commitment of
all of Minnesotas Sailors
to the ideals of service
as represented by these
two Sailors reenlisting.
Benzschawel enlisted
in the U.S. Navy in 2003.
Prior to arriving aboard
Minnesota in October
2010, he served aboard
USS Newport News (SSN
750).
Being reenlisted by the
Chief of Naval Operations
is an honor for me, said
Benzschawel. The U.S.
Navy has provided me
immense opportunities to
advance in my field and
Continued on page 3
News in your community
This newspaper is an authorized publication for personnel
of the Department of Defense and their families. Contents
of The Dolphin are not necessarily the official views of, or
endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense
or the Department of the Navy.
Commanding Officer Naval Submarine Base New
London
Capt. Marc W. Denno
Executive Officer Naval Submarine Base New London
Cmdr. Michael A. Pennington
Command Master Chief Naval Submarine Base New
London
CMDCM(SS) Thomas Vatter
Public Affairs Officer - Christopher Zendan
Editor - Sheryl Walsh
Editorial Assistant - Christina Lough
Public Affairs Staff - MCC(SW) James ODonnell
and MC1(AW) Peter Blair
NEWS - The editorial content of this newspaper is prepared,
edited and provided by the Public Affairs Office of the Naval
Submarine Base New London. News items and photos must
be received by 4 p.m. the Friday before publication. News
ideas and questions can be directed to Christopher Zendan at
694-5980. Readers can e-mail us at dolphin@ctcentral.com.
Log onto the Web site at www.dolphin-news.com.
ADDRESS - The Dolphin staff can be reached at 694-3514
or write to: The Dolphin, Naval Submarine Base New London
PAO, Box 44, Groton, CT 06349-5044. All news releases should
be sent to this address.
ADVERTISING - Advertisements are solicited by Shore
Line Newspapers and not the editorial staff or Public Affairs
Office. Inquiries regarding advertisements should be directed
to the Display Advertising or Classified Advertising depart-
ments.
Display Advertising, Laura Carpenter at (203) 752-
2704, Betsy Lemkin at (203) 752-2706 and Mercy Mosher
at (203) 752-2702
Classified Advertising (in Conn.) (800) 922-7066
Classified Advertising (outside Conn.) (203) 789-5200
The Dolphin is published every Thursday by Shoreline
Newspapers, 40 Sargent Drive, New Haven, CT 06511.
Telephone (203) 752-2701. Minimum weekly circulation
10,000.
John Slater, General Manager
Shore Line Newspapers
The editorial content of this publication is the responsibility of
the Naval Submarine Base New London Public Affairs Office.
The Dolphin is published by Shoreline Newspapers, a private
firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense or
the U.S. Navy under exclusive written contract with the Naval
Submarine Base New London.
The appearance of advertising in this publication, including
inserts of supplements, does not constitute endorsement by the
Department of Defense or Shoreline Newspapers of the products
and services advertised.
Everything advertised in this publication shall be made avail-
able for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical
handicap, political affiliation or any other non-merit factor of the
purchaser, user or patron.
This newspaper is printed on recycled newsprint. Please help
conserve our resources and recycle this paper when you are
finished with it.
Tobacco Cessation
classes offered
Tobacco Cessation
classes are being offered
through the Naval
Branch Health Clinic
(NBHC) Grotons Health
Promotions Department in
September. Group 1 meets
on Tuesdays (Sept. 13,
20, and 27) at Anchors
Landing, from 2:30 to 4
p.m. Group 2 meets on
Thursdays (Sept. 1, 15,
22, and 29) at NBHC from
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For
more information, call
(860) 694-4466.
Church to host
tag, bake sale
St Marys Ukrainian
Catholic Church, located
at 178 Linwood Ave. in
Colchester, will host a
Tag and Bake Sale in the
church hall, Sept. 17 from
9 a.m. to 2 p.m., rain or
shine. For more informa-
tion, call (860) 537-2069.
Volunteers wanted
for lab study
The Naval Submarine
Medical Research
Laboratory is currently
recruiting active duty and
past submariners, includ-
ing retirees, to participate
in a research study looking
at the effects of submarine
duty on bone mineral den-
sity and body composition,
which will be determined
by dual x-ray absorptiome-
try. The total time involved
in this study will be about
three hours. As part of the
study, you will have a free
bone and body composi-
tion scan and answer ques-
tions and receive informa-
tion about your dietary and
exercise habits.
If you are interest-
ed, or would like more
information, contact
Lieutenant Heath Gasier
at (860) 694-4680 (heath.
gasier@med.navy.mil) or
Lt. Annely Richardson at
(860) 694-5220 (annely.
richardson@med.navy.
mil).
NARFE meeting
scheduled
The next monthly
meeting of the National
Association of Retired
Federal Employees (NARFE)
Chapter 158 will take
place Sept. 14 at the Port
N Starboard Restaurant
in New London. A social
hour begins at 11:30 a.m.,
followed by lunch, with
the meeting beginning at
1 p.m.
All interested retired and
working federal employ-
ees and their spouses are
encouraged to attend. Call
Sally at (860) 383-7060 to
make your reservation.
This months program
will feature Denise Nott,
who specializes in helping
senior citizens remodel their
houses so they can remain
living in their homes as
long as possible.
Grotons Fall
Festival is coming
Grotons Sixth Annual
Fall Festival is coming
soon. Mark your calendar
and save the important
date, Oct. 8. Thats the
date for the Grotons Sixth
Annual Fall Festival. This is
a special community event
created and sponsored
by the Groton Business
Association (GBA) of the
Greater Mystic Chamber of
Commerce.
Grotons Sixth Annual
Fall Festival runs from 10
a.m. to 4 p.m. and is a rain
or shine event.
Featured will be
AVCRADs Blackhawk
helicopter, childrens
entertainer, Steve Elci; an
afternoon concert for your
listening pleasure; a karate
demonstration, and a dem-
onstration by the Society for
Creative Anachronism, Inc.
The childrens choir from
the Catherine J. Kolnaski
Magnet School will sing
the National Anthem.
For more information,
go to the GBA web site
at grotonbiz.com or call
the Chamber at (860) 572-
9578.
Opportunity Expo for veterans
More than 30 veteran-friendly organizations are
expected to be on site at the Boston RecruitMilitary
Veteran Opportunity Expo with employment, fran-
chise, and educational opportunities, Sept. 15 from
11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Gillette Stadium, located at 1
Patriot Place in Foxborough (Greater Boston), Mass.
This event is being produced by RecruitMilitary.
com in cooperation with The American Legion. For
more information, call (513) 677-7055.
The September Board of Directors meeting of the
Fleet Reserve Associations Branch 20 will be held
Sept. 6, at the Branch Home, located at 242 Thames
Street, Groton, at 6 p.m. All Branch and Unit members
in good standing are invited at attend.
The final Steak Night of the summer, hosted by the
Board of Governors, will take place Sept. 8, at the
Branch Home for members and their guests. Due to
the large response of past dinners, there will be two
sittings, one at 5:30 p.m. and the other at 6:45 p.m.
Advanced paid reservations are required; no reserva-
tions will be accepted after noon on Sept. 7, and walk
ins will not be accommodated. Cost for the dinner is
a donation of $15 for adults, $7.50 for children 10 and
under. A minimum of 30 people are needed for these
dinners to be held.
Branch and Unit 20 will hold their regular monthly
meetings Sept. 15, at the Branch Home. Unit 20 will
meet at 6 p.m. and Branch 20 will meet at 7 p.m. All
members in good standing are urged to attend these
meetings. Membership in the FRA is open to all active
duty, retired, and veterans of the Sea Services, i.e., the
Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. Membership
in the FRA Auxiliary, or Unit, is open to all spouses,
children and step children over age 16, parents and
grandparents of FRA members in good standing. For
more information, call the Branch Home at (860)
445-0731.
The October Board of Directors meeting will be held
Oct. 4, at the Branch Home, at 6 p.m. All Branch and
Unit members in good standing are invited at attend.
Red Cross needs
immediate donations
Shore Ties: Maintaining the vitality and
viability of SUBASE as Irene came ashore
Well done to the entire
Navy New London Team
who kept the focus on our
Naval Submarine Base
New London mission as
the base prepared for the
impact of Hurricane Irene
and met the challenge of it
as a strong Tropical Storm
this past Sunday.
Because we worked
together, prepared for the
worse, and put into prac-
tice the considerable efforts
of our annual hurricane
exercises and planned
responses for destructive
weather, the base and the
Navy New London com-
munity weathered the
storm well.
We had no injuries to
personnel on base; no
reports of injuries to mem-
bers of our Navy family off
base; no significant dam-
age to infrastructure; and
no wind or water damage
greater than we had antici-
pated.
The result was that all
SUBASE activities and
services, with very few
exceptions, were open and
ready to meet the mission
Monday morning.
As Ive said before, one
of my three focus areas
and goals during my ten-
ure as Commanding Officer
of SUBASE is to maintain
the vitality and viability of
the base.
Many associate that
focus and goal with Base
Realignment and Closure
BRAC, and certainly, that
is one aspect of it.
But Irene highlighted
another aspect of maintain-
ing the vitality and viabil-
ity of the base.
And that is, SUBASE is
an operational base; the
last Navy operational base
in the Northeast.
Our primary reason for
existence is simple and
straightforward: the sub-
marines on our water-
front!
The central activities of
our bases dual mission
to deploy combat-ready
submarines and crews and
to train a corps of profes-
sional submariners must
be executed before, after,
and, in some cases, during
severe weather.
As the storm rolled up
the Atlantic seaboard,
Team New Londons com-
mitment and determination
in support of the mission
and our Fleet, Fighters,
and Families was visible
across all command and
department lines.
The SUBASE leadership
and emergency manage-
ment teams watched the
hurricane forecasts closely.
We focused inward, as
the Emergency Manager
met with representatives
from all base activities
and commands to review
weather forecasts and to
discuss actions required
for the current and future
expected readiness condi-
tions.
Additionally, we focused
outward, as we tried to get
the word out to all members
of the Navy Family through
many channels of com-
munication. The message
we conveyed through such
means as Ombudsmen, the
Dolphin, and Facebook was
simple. Personnel and their
loved ones should be fol-
lowing the three overarch-
ing steps to hurricane pre-
paredness: preparing a kit,
making a plan, and staying
informed.
With Commander
Submarine Group Two, we
conducted a sortie of all
4 inport submarines last
Friday. That action allowed
them to reach deep water
in the local operating area
where, safely submerged,
they were able to eas-
ily ride out the destructive
winds and heavy seas.
With the help of SUBSCOL
manpower and a cadre of
base and waterfront per-
sonnel, we installed flood-
gates and transported and
placed some 22,000 sand-
bags at designated lower
base facilities.
Following-up the subma-
rine sorties, Port Operations
removed or secured small
craft and barges, and assist-
ed in mooring safe-haven
seeking, surface vessels like
the USCG Barque Eagle,
USCG Morro Bay, and the
Department of Homeland
Securitys Plum Island fer-
ries.
And all members of
Team New London did
their part to secure a myr-
iad of loose and outdoor
material around the base.
Through all the preps,
Submarine School students
were fed; Base perim-
eters were patrolled and
secured; medical appoint-
ments and prescriptions
were completed; children
were cared for at child
centers; and, families were
able to make those storms
kits with last minute pur-
chases at the exchange and
commissary.
I could go on and on,
but I think Ive painted the
picture.
Our actions backed up
our words.
Subsequently, after we
had closed the base to all but
essential personnel Saturday
evening, and the winds
and surge of the storm had
passed Sunday, recovery
was that much easier.
Public Works, Public
Safety, and a myriad of build-
ing teams and Sailors did a
great job returning the base
to full operations as quickly
as possible. I was extremely
happy to report up the chain
of command Monday morn-
ing, that SUBASE was open
for business.
But for some, Irene is
not over.
As our Southeastern
Connecticut communities
and some of our Navy fam-
ilies face power outages,
loss of potable water, and
tree and property damages,
I know youll do you part
to strengthen that long and
strong relationship that the
Navy has with our neigh-
bors.
In the days ahead and
in the continuation of
Hurricane Season, Team
New London should be
very proud.
We planned for the
worse and hoped for the
best; but we knew that
hope is never a plan!
As a result, we are all
the better for it.
Well done again! Sail
safe!
Captain
Marc W. Denno
Commanding Officer
Naval Submarine Base
New London
Captain Marc W. Denno, SUBASE Commanding Officer
FRA announces
September
meetings, events
Hurricane Irene has
affected blood donations
along the East Coast at a
time when the nations
blood supply is already
low. Since Hurricane Irene
began its path along the
East Coast, the storm has
forced the cancellation of
nearly 60 American Red
Cross blood drives, result-
ing in the shortfall of more
than 1,500 units of blood
and the numbers could
increase this week while
areas deal with the storms
aftermath. For those areas
not heavily impacted by the
storm, the Red Cross is urg-
ing immediate blood and
platelet donations and asks
that community members
consider donating blood in
affected areas, once it is
safe to do so. Blood has a
limited shelf life and plate-
lets have a shelf-life of just
five days.
The Red Cross is still
working to stabilize the
blood supply after our sum-
mer shortages and with a
holiday weekend approach-
ing, the need continues.
Nationwide, around
44,000 blood donations
are needed each and every
day to meet the needs of
accident victims, cancer
patients, and children with
blood disorders. These
patients and others rely on
blood products during their
treatment.
There will be a blood
drive at Norwich Regional
Tech, located at 7 Mahan
Dr. in Norwich, from 8 a.m.
to 12:45 p.m., Sept. 16.
To schedule an appoint-
ment to donate blood or
platelets, visit redcross-
blood.org or call (800) RED
CROSS.
MCPON sends Labor Day message
Special from Master Chief
Petty Officer of the Navy
(MCPON)(SS/SW)
Rick D. West
WASHINGTON - Master
Chief Petty Officer of the
Navy (MCPON)(SS/SW)
Rick D. West released the
following Labor Day mes-
sage to the Fleet Aug. 17:
Shipmates and Navy
Families,
The symbolic end to
summer is just around
the corner ... Labor Day
weekend. Have you started
making plans yet? Do your
plans involve drinking and
driving or driving long dis-
tances while fatigued? Do
they involve water sports
after a long day of drinking
alcohol? How about driving
a motorcycle at excessive
speeds just to feel a rush?
Of course Sailors dont
plan to do these things, but
we continue to lose ship-
mates because of the bad
choices they make. So far,
we have lost 15 Sailors this
summer: six in four-wheel
motor vehicle mishaps, six
on motorcycles and three
during recreation mishaps.
Last year we lost a total of 14
Sailors from Memorial Day
to Labor Day and we have
unfortunately exceeded that
total with a few weeks left
before Labor Day. The loss
of one trained and ready
Sailor is unacceptable, and
in most cases preventable.
I encourage all of you to
practice off-duty risk man-
agement while planning
your activities, and avoid
cramming too many activi-
ties into a short period of
time. Use caution when
driving and think SAFE: no
Speeding; no Alcohol before
driving; no Fatigue (get plen-
ty of rest) and no Ejections
(wear your seatbelts). Also
use caution when partici-
pating in water activities,
and if drinking, always
have a plan to get home.
Stay safe and lets close
out summer and Labor
Day weekend with zero
fatalities or injuries. Enjoy
your much-deserved time
off with your family and
friends, and as always, keep
in mind our Sailors who are
deployed and cant be with
their loved ones.
Enjoy your Labor Day
weekend and HOOYAH!
Very Respectfully,
MCPON
MCPON Rick D. West
2 THE DOLPHIN Thursday, September 1, 2011
entire submarine force
understood and support-
ed our way ahead, said
Richardson.
During his address,
McLaughlin welcomed his
successor.
Rear Admiral
Breckenridge. You have the
opportunity to work with
the best professionals our
nation has to offer, said
McLaughlin. They are for-
tunate to be able to work
with you, and given their
track record, you will be
impressed with them. Good
luck and Godspeed.
Prior to Breckenridge
assuming command of
CSG 2, he served as Acting
Director, Submarine
Warfare Division (N87)
on the Staff of the Chief of
Naval Operations, Pentagon,
Washington D.C.
The key silent princi-
ple of our national secu-
rity is that you, Americas
elite undersea force, prevent
major war and inhibit bad
behavior from others seek-
ing to disrupt our way of
life in the midst of all the
sacrifices you make, all the
hardship associated with the
arduous nature of subma-
rine sea duty that you and
your families endure, said
Breckenridge.
Know this: your service
to country is super-mean-
ingful and delivers tangible
and significant stability in
an otherwise chaotic and
disorderly global security
environment. Thanks for
what you do to make this
element of our national
power so effective, said
Breckenridge.
McLaughlin led the group
since February 2010 and
provided leadership and
oversight to more than
6,000 military and civilian
personnel, including four
Atlantic Fleet submarine
squadrons containing 27
fast-attack submarines, two
Submarine Support Centers,
the Regional Support Center
and the Navy Submarine
Torpedo Facility.
McLaughlin praised the
shipyard partners who were
instrumental in preparing
boats for sea and the wisdom
gained and lessons learned
from working with them.
When you get real old,
you realize that the ship-
yards, which both build and
maintain our ships, are the
heart of our success, said
McLaughlin.
Electric Boat, their part-
ner Huntington Ingalls
International, and the public
yards, have forced us sub-
marine drivers to figure out
how to prepare crews for
at-sea operations as quick-
ly as possible to keep up
with their efforts, and I both
appreciate and welcome
the challenge, McLaughlin
added.
Seventeen SSNs from CSG
2 were on deployment while
McLaughlin was in command
and the rest of his boats were
preparing to deploy in turn.
He also played a key role in
the delivery of the newest
Virginia-class submarines as
the officer in tactical com-
mand for the sea trials of
USS Missouri (SSN 780) and
PCU California (SSN 781).
McLaughlins next course
is his transition to a second
career in the civilian work-
force.
Continued from page 1

DR. BRIAN G. MANN, OD & ASSOCIATES

By Appointment or Walk-ins Welcome
Eye Exams for Adults and Children
Contact Lens Specialists
Waterford Commons
Across from Best Buy
(860)-442-0380

Thursday, September 1, 2011 THE DOLPHIN 3

CSG2 ...
MCPON pins NIOD Chiefs with EIDWS pins
Photo by MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair
GROTON, Conn. - Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Rick West high fives Chief
Information Systems Technician Wymon Bonner after presenting he and Chief Cryptologic
Technician Maintenance Christopher Manfredi their Enlisted Information Dominance Warfare
Specialist EIDWS pins. After the pinning ceremony, MCPON talked to the Sailors of the Naval
Information Operations Detachment Groton about staying Navy, pursuing their EIDWS pins and
even presented one Sailor with a MCPON coin.
Public Works Officer
bids farewell to SUBASE
Continued from page 1
CNO ...
Photo by MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair
GROTON, Conn. - Commander Frank Mulcahy, Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE) Public
Works Officer bids farewell to his SUBASE family during his retirement ceremony, Aug. 26. Mulcahy
took charge of the SUBASE Public Works Department in August 2009 and helped Captain Marc W.
Denno, SUBASE Commanding Officer put the submarine back in SUBASE. Mulcahy and his Public
Works team razed more than 35 buildings across the base and helped SUBASE reduce its unneeded
infrastructure and inprove life on the waterfront for the Sailors of SUBASE.
The Naval Submarine Base New London library now has
e-readers. E-Readers are pre-loaded with current books and patrons are able to
check them out for three weeks.
The library is located in Dealey Center on the first deck.
For more information, call (860) 694-3723.
E-Readers available at base library
Im honored to serve my
country.
Benzschawels cur-
rent assignments aboard
Minnesota include the assis-
tant command fitness lead-
er, Engineering Department
command career counselor,
electrical division repair
parts petty officer, and a
supervisor in divisional
qualifications.
Low, who enlisted into
the U.S. Navy in 2009
after graduating from Sam
Rayburn High School,
Ivanhoe, Texas, reported
aboard Minnesota in July.
I will always remem-
ber this day, not because it
was my first re-enlistment,
but that the Chief of Naval
Operations performed the
ceremony, said Low.
The ships sponsor, Ellen
Roughead, also attended
the reenlistment for Petty
Officers Benzschawel and
Low.
Minnesota will be the 10th
Virginia-class submarine.
Construction of the 377-foot
long, 7,800-ton ship began
in February 2008. The ship
is planned to be delivered
in 2013.
PREPARING
FOR
IRENE
Photo by MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair
GROTON, Conn. - Sailors aboard the Los Angeles-class
attack submarine USS Providence (SSN 719) cast off
lines as the submarine departs Naval Submarine Base
New London ahead of Hurricane Irene.
Photo by Navy New London Public Affairs
GROTON, Conn. Sailors from Naval Submarine Base New Londons (SUBASE) Port
Operations Department moor the United States Coast Guard Cutter Barque Eagle to
the pier at SUBASE prior to the arrival of Hurricane Irene. The Eagle sailed up the
Thames River to SUBASE for better protection from Irene.
By MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair

GROTON, Conn. -
As Tropical Storm, aka
Hurricane, Irene came
ashore in Connecticut on
Sunday, Naval Submarine
Base New Londons
(SUBASE) destructive
weather plans and prepa-
rations were put to the
test.
For three days, mem-
bers of Navy Team New
London had readied for a
hurricane, not knowing
the strength of the storm
or its exact track, just
that it was coming.
Navy families deplet-
ed commissary and
exchange shelves and
waited in long gas lines,
heeding the bases effort
to ensure they followed
the three overarching
steps to hurricane pre-
paredness: prepare a kit,
make a plan, and stay
informed.
Naval Submarine
School Sailors and other
tenant command person-
nel installed flood gates
in front of doors and
placed more than 22,000
sand bags along water-
front buildings.
Base Emergency
Manager, Alan Brown,
monitored the storm
closely, giving SUBASE
leadership the facts and
keeping everyone abreast
on the situation.
We prepared for the
worse and hoped for the
best, said Brown. But
as the captain and execu-
tive officer are fond of
saying: hope is not a
plan.
The real plan, Brown
pointed out, is the
destructive weather
appendix to the bases
Installation Emergency
Management Plan.
The Navy and the
base have long had pro-
cedures in place to pre-
pare for, and respond to,
situations that involve
destructive weather,
said Brown. We even
conduct annual exercises
to practice those proce-
dures. With Irene, we
put that hard work into
practice.
Before the storm
reached New England
the decision was made
to sortie the submarines
in port for the protection
of the boats, their crews,
and the piers.
On Friday, one by one,
USS Pittsburgh (SSN
720), USS Providence
(SSN 719), USS Hartford
(SSN 768), and USS
Toledo (SSN 769) sailed
down the Thames River,
out of the Long Island
Sound bound for deep-
er water and protection
from Irene.
[The] herculean task
of getting four subma-
rines, that were in the
middle of maintenance
periods, out to sea, as
professionally as was exe-
cuted, was just eye water-
ing, said Rear Admiral
Rick Breckenridge,
Commander, Submarine
Group Two.
But as the subs left
SUBASE, other ships
moored at the bases
piers to escape the rough
waters that the storm was
going to bring. Several
Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) ferries
and the United States
Coast Guards Barque
Eagle (WIX 327) and
Cutter Morro Bay (WTGB-
106) sought shelter at
SUBASE.
Its certainly a change
to our typical lower base
scene, said Deputy
Port Operations Officer
Brian Kuerbitz as Eagle
moored to SUBASEs
Pier 17, Saturday after-
noon. With our loca-
tion farther up river and
our high piers, SUBASE
offers these cutters and
DHS Plum Island ferries
a better safe haven than
where they were.
Rain started to fall and
the wind started to blow
Saturday evening and
SUBASE closed to all but
essential personnel. The
Emergency Operations
Center (EOC) activated.
Base Fire Department
and Security Department
personnel maintained
patrols and a constant
vigil over the seemingly
deserted base. As Irene
made her approach, base
leadership and EOC staff
monitored the impact
that the heavy winds and
significant storm surge
of the eastern and most
dangerous semicircle
delivered.
Technology is always
great, but having eyes
and ears on the front lines
in safe locations across
the waterfront ensured
the commanding officer
SUBASE weathers
the storm
Photo by MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair
GROTON, Conn.- The Naval Submarine Base New London
(SUBASE) Chapel on the Thames stands ready for Hurricane
Irene after Sailors from the bases Chaplains office and First
Lieutenant spent two days placing wood panels over
the chapel windows. The Chapel, which is one
of the oldest buildings on the base, has
bolts built into its walls to allow
for quick deployment
of the panels.
Photos by MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair
GROTON, Conn. - Above, Sailors
assigned to Naval Submarine
Base New London place sand-
bags around key points of the
base power plant as the base
prepares for possible effects
from Hurricane Irene.
Right, Sailors from across
Naval Submarine Base New
London (SUBASE) prepare sand
bags in the bases Alpha lot
in preparation for deployment
along the waterfront prior to the
arrival of Hurricane Irene. More
than 100 Sailors move, packed
and distributed sandbags to the
bases tenant commands during
Hurricane Irene preparations.
Photo by Navy New London Public Affairs
GROTON Conn. - The United States Coast Guard Cutter Barque Eagle (WIX 327) sits alone along the
Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE) waterfront as the stormfront of Hurricane Irene move
into Southeastern Connecticut. The Eagle, which trains Coast Guard Academy cadets in seaman-
ship, sailed to SUBASE for better protection from Irene.
Continued on page 5
4 THE DOLPHIN Thursday, September 1, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011 THE DOLPHIN 5
P
a
t
h

o
f

d
e
s
t
r
u
c
t
i
o
n
R
I
S
I
N
G
Water levels
F
A
L
L
I
N
G
TREES
and the EOC maintained the
big picture, said Brown.
As anticipated, Irenes wrath
brought water several inches
above the bases lowest piers
and quay walls, flooding areas
of lower base. Irenes wind
felled several trees across base
roads and a falling tree on
Thresher Avenue tore down
a telephone pole. During the
peak of the storm minor power
outages were noted across the
base, but critical building,
emergency generators kept
most facilities up and running
without impact.
As the storm passed, wind
subsided, water receded, and
assessments were completed.
Irene caused only minor dam-
age to SUBASE.
We had no injuries to per-
sonnel on base; no reports of
injuries to members of our
Navy family off base; no sig-
nificant damage to infrastruc-
ture; and no wind or water
damage greater than we had
anticipated, said SUBASE
Commanding Officer, Captain
Marc W. Denno. I was
extremely happy to report up
the chain of command Monday
morning, that SUBASE was
open for business.
Denno was also pleased with
how SUBASE had readied for
the hurricane and executed its
destructive weather plans in
advance, during, and after the
storm.
Team New Londons com-
mitment and determination in
support of the mission and our
Fleet, Fighters, and Families
was visible across all command
and department lines, said
Denno. Our actions backed
up our words. Every member
of Team New London should
be very proud.
That pride may undoubtedly
help as SUBASE prepares for
the next storm. Hurricane sea-
son lasts until Nov. 30.
Continued from page 4
Photos by MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair
GROTON, Conn. - Above, Thames
River water levels increased by Irene
Storm Surge crashed over the quay
walls on Naval Submarine Base New
Londons (SUBASE) waterfront. Irene
brought heavy rain and damaging
winds to Southeastern Connecticut.
Left, The tunnel leading to Naval
Submarine Base New Londons
(SUBASE) north end lowerbase lies
under water during Hurricane Irene.
STORM ...
Photo by
MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair
GROTON, Conn. - The
United States Coast
Guards Barque
Eagle (WIX 327) rides
out Hurricane Irene
at Naval Submarine
Base New Londons
(SUBASE) pier 17.
The Eagle and other
Department of
Homeland Security
vessels moored at
SUBASE only hours
before Irene began
to affect the area.
Photo by MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair
GROTON, Conn. - A telephone pole lies next to Thresher Avenue after a fallen tree on Naval Submarine
Base New London (SUBASE) broke the pole in half. Hurricane Irene brought heavy rain and damaging
winds, SUBASE experienced only minimal damage and short-term power loss.
Photos by MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair
GROTON, Conn. - Above, a tree lies across Connecticut Route 12 outside of
Naval Submarine Base New Londons (SUBASE) gate five. The tree, which
was torn down by the high winds of Hurricane Irene destroyed the traffic
signal at the gate.
Below, a tree lies cut apart near Naval Submarine Base New Londons (SUBASE)
OKane Hall after SUBASE Public Works personnel removed it from Tautog
Avenue. The large pine tree had fallen after strong wind gusts from Hurricane
Irene tore it from its roots.
6 THE DOLPHIN Thursday, September 1, 2011
FAMILY DENTAL CENTER



446-8744
115 Bridge Street, Groton
~ Most Insurance Plans Accepted ~
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4. Diabetes Support Group 26 SEP (Monday) 1300-1400
5. Healthy Heart Class 09 SEP (Friday) 0800-1000
21 SEP (Wednesday) 1400-1600
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8. Bariatric Support Group 02 SEP (Friday) 0930-1100
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10. Unit Specic GMT By Appointment Ongoing
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DATE(S) TIME
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Phone: 860.694.3104 Fax: 860.694.5585
O
p
e
r
a
t
i
o
n

S
h
o
w
e
r
Operation Shower
provides gifts to
expectant spouses of
deployed CSG 2 Sailors
By Lt. Jennifer Cragg
Commander, Submarine Group
2 Public Affairs
GROTON, Conn. -
Twenty expectant mili-
tary wives of submariners
assigned to Commander,
Submarine Squadron 2
boats received a once-
an-a-lifetime experience
when they participated
in a group baby shower,
Aug. 25.
The event was spon-
sored by the non-profit
organization Operation
Shower and Birdies for
the Brave and marks the
first time the event was
held in Connecticut and
for wives of submari-
ners.
The women, whose
spouses are deployed
Sailors, assigned to
Commander, Submarine
Group 2 boats located
at the Naval Submarine
Base (SUBASE) New
London, were hon-
ored during the group
baby shower at the
Historic Ship Nautilus
and Submarine Force
Museum in Groton,
Conn.
Attending this event
means so very much
to me, said Kimberly
Wagner, one of the 20
wives receiving the
group baby shower.
Wagner is expecting
her first child, a boy,
later this year and wel-
comes the opportunity to
meet the other woman,
most who are first-time
moms.
Karen McLaughlin,
wife of Rear Admiral
Michael McLaughlin,
commander, Submarine
Group 2 spoke with the
women about the chal-
lenges they face but
acknowledged their sac-
rifices as military wives.
This event is not
only a way to honor
these brave women here
today, but also pamper
them and give them an
opportunity to network
with other mothers-to-be
in an effort to provide a
strong support group for
these women who rarely
have their own families
nearby, said Karen.
Many of the wives are
stationed far from family
and friends - making the
Operation Shower event
a dream come true.
Family means every-
thing to me, especially
with our third baby on
the way, said Amy Fay
Wreede, who also partic-
ipated in the group baby
shower. Wreede, like
Wagner is also expect-
ing a boy in less than
two weeks was pleased
to be included in the
shower.
The military wives par-
ticipating in the group
shower are expecting a
new baby while their
spouses are deployed.
Operation Shower
was created specifically
because typically mili-
tary moms are the ones
who hold it all together
at home. Without their
spouses by their side,
deployed to a another
part of the world or
seriously injured, these
moms deserve our sup-
port, our thanks, our
love and an opportuni-
ty to celebrate togeth-
er, said Operation
Shower founder LeAnn
Morrissey.
Operation Showers
signature Shower In A
Box gift of high-qual-
ity products for mothers
and babies was donated
Photo by MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair
GROTON, Conn. - Surrounded by other mommies-to-be, guests open their boxes
of gifts during the Naval Submarine Base New London (SUBASE) Operation
Shower, Aug. 25. Boxes included a teddy bear from Build-a-Bear Workshop,
numerous clothing items for the babies, and other items. Besides the boxed
items, each mommy-to-be received a stroller, crib, and car seat.
Photo by Lt. Jennifer Cragg
GROTON, Conn. - Rear
Admiral Michael McLaughlin,
Commander, Submarine
Group Two, addresses the
expectant wives of deployed
Submarine Group Two Sailors
during Operation Shower.
The non-profit organization
Operation Shower in conjuc-
tion with Birdies for the Brave
sponsored a group baby
shower for these women with
a Shower in a Box.
Photo by MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair
GROTON, Conn. - Volunteers from Applebees serve dinner to the mommies-to-be during Naval
Submarine Base New Londons (SUBASE) Operation Shower at the Submarine Force Library and
Museum. Guests were served salad, baked ziti and baked chicken during the event.
Continued on page 8
The Bill Memorial
Library, located at 240
Monument Street in the
City of Groton, is now
a Literacy Volunteers
Satellite location. Literacy
Volunteers of Eastern
Connecticut provides
tutoring in Basic Reading
and Literacy, as well as
English, for speakers of
another language. Tutors
are professionally trained
and all services are abso-
lutely free. Options include
individual and small group
tutoring as well as con-
versation groups. Rosetta
Stone software is available
for use immediately after
training. Applications are
available at the library, or
call (860) 445-0392 for an
appointment.
For more information,
call (860) 445-0392, or
visit www.billmemorial.
org.
Literacy
Volunteers
Satellite location
Photo by MC1(AW) Peter D. Blair
GROTON, Conn. Mommies-to- be and new mothers pose for a group photo during Naval Submarine Base New Londons (SUBASE) Operation Shower, Aug. 25 at
the Submarine Force Library and Museum. The ladies in attendance were treated to dinner, given gifts, and even received a phone call from Sesame Streets Elmo,
congratulating them on their pregnancies and thanking them for their service as military spouses.
Thursday, September 1, 2011 THE DOLPHIN 7
8 THE DOLPHIN Thursday, September 1, 2011
RAYMOND J. RIGAT
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FORMER NAVY JAG
860-442-068 or 860-887-9467
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by local and national vendors. Beyond these tangible
items, the most meaningful gift may be the unique
opportunity for the moms to find comfort and support
from other women in the same situation as they cel-
ebrate this milestone.
Special guests at the event included representatives
from the PGA Tour, including Allison Keller, senior
vice president of human resources and Morissey. Tami
Scace, director for the Marine Corps Relief Society
and Nancy Sypolt, licensed professional counselor
with SUBASE Fleet and Family Support Center, also
attended the Operation Shower event to highlight the
ongoing programs they have available for mothers.
We have a variety of classes for expectant mothers,
such as Budget for Baby classes, said Scace.
Sypolt also commented on the similar programs they
offer to include Understanding Birth and Parenting: A
Class for Expectant Parents.
Operation Shower (www.operationshower.org) is
a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating
and honoring military families by providing joyful
baby showers for military wives to ease the burden
of deployment, or in cases where spouses are seri-
ously injured. Since the organizations inception in
2007, Operation Shower has showered more than 400
women on military bases and other locations for the
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and National Guard.
Continued from page 6
Operation Shower ...
Photos by Lt. Jennifer Cragg
GROTON, Conn. - Above, Amy Faye Wreede and mother Susan Hoy (left) go
through the Shower in a Box provided during a group baby shower sponsored
by Operation Shower and Birdies for the Brave. Twenty expectantant wives of
deployed Commander, Submarine Group Two participated in Operation Shower.
Left, Twenty expectant military wives of submariners assigned to Commander,
Submarine Group Two boats participate in a group baby shower sponsored by
the non-profit organization Operation Shower and Birdies for the Brave.
Training is essential
for motorcycle riders
By April Phillips
Naval Safety Center Public Affairs
NORFOLK - Even the
most devoted motorcy-
clists admit riding is a
risky mode of transpor-
tation. With no seatbelts
or steel cage for protec-
tion, theres less room
for error making train-
ing vitally important.
However, all motorcycles
are not the same.
In 2008, the Navy
and Marine Corps lost
58 people to motorcycle
crashes and the majority
of them were on sport-
bikes. It became apparent
that something had to be
done to train Sailors and
Marines to handle these
bikes that were built for
track, but being ridden
on the street.
In June of 2009, the
Military Sportbike Rider
Course (MSRC) was
unveiled. It was designed
to teach sportbike riders
about the specifics of the
motorcycles they ride.
The sportbike course
teaches handling charac-
teristics, but students also
learn about Operational
Risk Management and
thats a big part of suc-
cessful riding, said
Dave Kerrick, head of
the Naval Safety Centers
traffic safety division.
Statistics show the
course has been a huge
success. In 2009, motor-
cycle fatalities dropped
to 28 for the fleet and
in 2010 they were down
to 21. Unfortunately, the
positive trend may be
stalling.
Weve reached a pla-
teau, Kerrick said can-
didly. To date in fiscal
year 2011, 26 Sailors and
Marines have been killed
on motorcycles. Kerrick
said it shows how impor-
tant training is.
Get your people into
the training, he said.
The untrained riders
are still the ones being
killed.
While several of the
fatal crashes involved
sportbike riders who
had completed the Basic
Rider Course, they had
not yet attended the
MSRC. Approximately
2,000 known sportbike
riders in the fleet have
not yet received this
training. Kerrick said
many are frustrated
because courses are full.
Unfortunately, there are
a large number of no
shows and many classes
have extra spaces avail-
able.
If you have trouble
getting into a class or if
you have any questions,
contact your base safety
officer, said Kerrick.
The installation safety
office needs to hear con-
cerns so we can work to
fix any issues.
NORFOLK - With motor-
cycle accidents falling
from 28 in 2009 to 21 in
the year of 2010, classes
such as the Basic Riders
Course are showing how
effective this essential
training is.
Photo by MC3 Samantha L. Rivero
Jonathan Safran
Foer, author of
Extremely Loud and
Incredibly Close, east-
ern Connecticuts 2011
One Book, One Region
choice, will appear
at Fitch High School,
located at 101 Groton
Long Point Road in
Groton, Sept. 12. The
program will begin
with a reception and
book signing at 5 p.m.
followed by Foers pre-
sentation at 6 p.m. All
are invited to this free
event.
A national bestseller,
Extremely Loud and
Incredibly Close, is the
story of nine-year-old
Oskar Schell who is an
inventor, Francophile,
tambourine player,
Shakespearean actor,
jeweler, and pacifist
on a mission to find
the lock that matches
a mysterious key that
belonged to his father
who died in the World
Trade Center on the
morning of Sept. 11.
As Oskar roams New
York, he encounters an
assortment of charac-
ters who are all survi-
vors in their own way.
The intricate novel
includes unique pho-
tographs, illustrations,
interesting typography,
and subplots including
one involving Oskars
grandfather who sur-
vived the World War II
bombing of Dresden.
Extremely Loud
and Incredibly Close,
Foers second novel,
was published in
2005. A movie based
on Everything Is
Il l umi nat ed was
released in 2005 and
the film version of
Extremely Loud and
Incredibly Close fea-
turing Sandra Bullock
and Tom Hanks will be
released later this year.
Foer is also the author
of Eating Animals
and Tree of Codes.
Foers appearance is
the final program of
the 2010 One Book,
One Region season.
Book discussions and
other programs relat-
ed to the book have
taken place at librar-
ies throughout the
summer. Information
about the One Book,
One Region program is
posted on the website
www. onebookonere-
gion.org.
For more informa-
tion, contact the Groton
Public Library at (860)
441-6750.
One Book, One Region author to visit local library
The Groton Public
Library will be accept-
ing registrations for
baby storytimes, Sept. 6.
Wee Ones is a program
for babies ages birth to
12 months and a care-
giver. Babies and Books
is a program for babies
ages 12 to 24 months
and a caregiver.
To register your child
for the next session of
Wee Ones or Babies
and Books, call or stop
by the library any time
between 9 a.m. and
9 p.m., Sept. 6. The
library will contact you
by phone the day after
registration. We try to
accommodate everyone,
but in the case of over
enrollment, classes are
determined by lottery.
For more information,
call the Information
Desk at (860) 441-
6750.
Babies and Books is at
10 a.m. and Wee Ones is
at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays,
Sept. 13 through Oct.
25.
Registration
for fall Baby
Storytimes