North Dakota Submarine Deployment Detailed

Commander Speaks to ND Legislature 

lydia.hoverson@mydakotan.com  

BISMARCK – North Dakota’s submarine executed its third deployment a 12 months in the past in the course of the Russia-Ukraine warfare. Its commander detailed the journey to the state legislators earlier this week. 

Commander Robert Edmonson III, Connecticut, commanding officer of the submarine USS North Dakota, instructed legislators he commanded his first deployment on March 29, 2022, a month after Russia invaded Ukraine, the place the crew was in complete communications blackout for over two months and traveled over 40,000 complete miles, together with going above the arctic circle and crusing all through the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea. 

Edmonson grew to become the fourth commanding officer of USS North Dakota on February 12, 2021, following the ship’s return from a second profitable deployment. He and the crew had been instantly tasked with a strenuous preparation interval previous to the third deployment. 

Earlier than this deployment, Edmonson reported to Admiral William Houston, commander of the US Naval Submarine Forces, on the North Dakota’s readiness. 

“He acknowledged we had been deploying with the best state of operational and materials readiness that he had ever seen,” mentioned Edmonson. “I quickly realized simply how necessary these preparations had been.” 

Edmonson mentioned the crew executed their preparation duties flawlessly amidst immense operational, materials, and scheduling strain. One of many highlights included being chosen to take part within the Submarine Command Course. 

“This is among the submarine forces pinnacle occasions the place hopeful commanding and govt officers are challenged to steer a crew by intense and sophisticated peace and wartime operations,” mentioned Edmonson. “Throughout these workouts the officers and crew apply techniques that problem the total spectrum of submarine operations.” 

Then got here the deployment, which Edmonson mentioned was one of the tough he has seen in his 25 years of naval service. 

“The deployment final 12 months was onerous, however your crew didn’t present it,” mentioned Edmonson. “Their achievements had been so impactful that our time at sea was prolonged from six months to seven months. Our missions had been so essential to our nationwide safety that we had been requested from the best ranges of command to remain at sea 94% of these lengthy seven months.” 

Edmonson mentioned the crew obtained private and ship awards that met a brand new excessive bar of excellence. 

“Your crew represented North Dakota with honor,” mentioned Edmonson. “We made an enormous funding, growing the leaders to inherit our future, attaining the best ranges of retention, qualification, and development throughout all submarines within the Atlantic fleet. All of this was attainable due to the sacrifice of the crew and their households.” 

Edmonson mentioned the ship was awarded the Battle Effectiveness Award, an honor given to warships which have met and excelled at each attainable job all year long. Edmonson added that North Dakota has achieved this twice in its three complete deployments.