ADMIRAL RECOGNIZES EB WORKERS - Electric Boat Corporation

Outgoing New Hampshire CaptainIs Lauded For AccomplishmentsRear Adm. Cecil D. Haney,commander of SubmarineGroup Two in Groton, saidsome of his staff thought it was strangethat he would preside at a change ofcharge ceremony in a shipyard, for a submarinethat has not even been commissioned.But, he said, the outgoing captainof the PCU New Hampshire deserved tobe recognized for some tremendousaccomplishments.Capt. Bruce Derenski, who arrived atElectric Boat in May 2006 to stand upthe crew of the New Hampshire, quicklyset the highest standards for training,established a great synergy with the shipbuildersand still found time to initiate arelationship with the people of the ship’snamesake state, Haney said during thebrief ceremony Sept. 5 in Building 80.Derenski was relieved by Cmdr. MikeStevens.New Hampshire is on a path to bedelivered to the Navy more quickly thanany previous Virginia-Class submarine,and in a state that will make it ready tobegin critical operations sooner than anyof its predecessors as well, Haney noted.“You instilled the call to serve in yourcrew, and they came through like thechampions that you have made them,time and time again,” Haney said.“I have great confidence that the workyou have done with this great crew will“I have great confidence thatthe work you have done withthis great crew will sustain usfor many, many years to come.You’ve set a course for thisship, and for the class’s future.”Rear Adm. Cecil D. Haney,commander ofSubmarine Group Twosustain us for many, many years tocome,” Haney said, presenting Derenskiwith his third Meritorious Service Medalto recognize his service as captain of theNew Hampshire. “You’ve set a course forthis ship, and for the class’s future.”Capt. Patrick Gill, the SubmarineForce representative at EB, agreed: “Thestandards of performance that you haveset for New Hampshire will live throughoutthe ship’s life.”Derenski said when he was a juniorofficer, a chief petty officer he respectedused to tell him about Navy “magic,”which he dismissed as quaint folklore. Ashe has advanced through the ranks, hesaid, he has changed his mind.“If like me, you’re a slow learner, godown to that ship – our ship – in Building260, and you’ll see magic in 2,000-tonslices,” Derenski said. The transformationof inanimate cables, wires and steel intothe most complex ship on earth seemslike magic, he said. Even more impressiveis how the Navy takes a young man fromthe heartland – without any experience atsea – and within three months trains himto the point where he is taking navigationalfixes. Within two years, that youngsailor has evolved into the crewman theship’s force goes to when they need a jobdone right.Derenski said it has been an honor tolead a crew of such dedicated, talentedand hard working sailors.He also thanked the “cast of thousands”at EB who have supported theconstruction process, and organizationssuch as Group Two, the Naval SubmarineSupport Center, the Naval ReactorsRepresentative Office and others, “whothrough their determination and dedicationhave kept this ship on track.”Derenski’s next job will be at CampBucca in Um Qasr, a Forward OperatingBase in Iraq where he will be commandingofficer.Stevens, as the incoming officer incharge, thanked Derenski for handingover such a well-trained crew. “I’mexcited about what lies ahead, and I lookforward to serving with all of you.”Navy Recognizes Electric Boat Workerscontinued from page 1SEAVAN consists of work spaces, accommodations for six peopleand an entertainment area. The project saved the Navy an estimated$200,000 that would have otherwise been spent on boardingcosts for the PMT.At the recognition ceremony, held at the submarine base, Welchaccepted an award from Adm. Eccles on behalf of all the employeesin his area of responsibility for their contributions to the project.Welch oversees about 80 EB employees assigned to NSSF’shull division through the New England Maintenance ManpowerInitiative (NEMMI) contract.2 I SEPTEMBER 2007 I ELECTRIC BOAT NEWS