USS Maine’s Blue and Gold Crews Make Green

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Charles Gaddis IV | 160803-N-EC099-158 SILVERDALE, Wash. (Aug. 3, 2016) – Cmdr. Kelly Laing, USS Maine (SSBN 741) (Green) commanding officer, is piped through sideboys during the USS Maine crew combination ceremony. USS Maine recently returned from a two-month underway period. The ceremony is to combine the Blue and Gold crews into USS Maine (Green) before she undergoes an engineered refueling overhaul. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Charles D. Gaddis IV/Released)  

SILVERDALE, WASHINGTON, UNITED STATES

08.03.2016

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Charles Gaddis IV 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

SILVERDALE, Wash. (Aug. 3, 2016) – USS Maine (SSBN 741) Blue and Gold crew combined to USS Maine (Green) under the command of Cmdr. Kelly Laing after 60 days underway Aug. 3, 2016.

Maine will undergo an estimated 30-month engineered refueling overhaul (ERO) period in the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility, Bremerton.

“This marks the beginning of an overhaul that will lead Maine to live a extended lifespan of 42 years,” said Capt. Mark Schmall, commander, Submarine Squadron 17. “After receiving a new core, maintenance and hull repair within the next two years, Maine will be returned to her strategic mission presence.”

Under the command of Cmdr. Dale Klein, Maine (Gold) has accomplished four strategic deterrent patrols including 285 days at sea, 540 days of refit, 67 days in dry dock, and 12 days in Hawaii.

“I am humbled and so proud of the crew of Maine (Gold),” said Klein. “It has truly been an honor and a privilege to lead such a fine group of men and women.”

Maine (Gold) hosted 239 midshipmen all around the Pacific, including liberty in San Diego, California. After conducting sound trials, liberty was granted in Ketchikan, Alaska.

“The true essence of success is the absence of launching missiles,” said Schmall. “True presence is not just being at the right place at the right time, but being there all the time unnoticed.”

Maine (Gold) executed and completed two Operational Reactor Safeguard Examinations (ORSEs), two Tactical Receive Equipment (TREs) operations, two Naval Technical Proficiency Inspections (NTPIs), and two Supply Management Inspections (SMIs).

“I’m honored to assume command of USS Maine,” said Laing. “Not USS Maine (Blue), not (Gold), just Maine!”

• Date Taken: 08.03.2016
• Date Posted: 08.04.2016 19:05
• Story ID: 206145
• Location: SILVERDALE, WASHINGTON, US