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Brandon native proud to be USS Minnesota officer
Published 10:43am Friday, December 16, 2011Naval officer and Brandon native Craig Hempeck said he would be proud to serve as executive officer for any new vessel. It’s especially gratifying when he will hold that military post for the submarine, USS Minnesota, that’s under construction in Norfolk, Va.
“We’ll have 15 officers and about 115 enlisted personnel on board, and about five of us are Minnesota natives,” said Hempeck during a meet and greet Thursday afternoon at the American Legion in Fergus Falls.
The name USS Minnesota was announced in July 2008 and the keel was laid down on May 20 of this year. Christening will take place in November 2012, at which time the submarine will enter the high seas. Official commissioning will take place a year later.
“For the next several months we’ll have a lot of training in land-based simulators,” said Hempeck, a 1992 graduate of Brandon High School.
He enlisted in the Navy right after high school graduation and later graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1999. Hempeck holds a masters degree in organization management (2005) from George Washington University.
“It’s great to be here in Fergus Falls and back near my hometown,” said Hempeck.
Among those conversing with Hempeck Thursday at the American Legion was Fergus Falls area resident and Navy veteran Dan Oehler. He served on the submarine USS Wahoo from 1956 to 1959, after his high school graduation.
“We appreciate the commitment of Craig and the other officers and enlisted personnel who will serve aboard the USS Minnesota,” said Oehler. “All Minnesotans will be proud of this new submarine and crew.”
When seaworthy, the USS Minnesota will be capable of diving greater than 800 feet. Speed of the new submarine will be greater than 25 knots.
The USS Minnesota delegation started the day (Thursday) in Alexandria, and today the group heads to the Twin Cities. The Minnesota Vikings will honor the military personnel on Sunday.
The Navy League of the United States, Twin Cities Council, sponsored the visit to Fergus Falls. Those who stopped at the American Legion had ample time to talk with Hempeck, Commanding Officer, Cdr. John Fancher, and others.
Tour guide is Brian Skon, vice president of the Navy League. His wife is the former Peggy Aasness whose parents are Paul and Phyllis Aasness of rural Fergus Falls.
“We’re so very pleased that the group came to Fergus Falls for the meet and greet,” said Fergus Falls American Legion Commander Don Fick.
The USS Minnesota will be the 10th of a projected 30 Virginia-class submarines. She will be the third United States Navy ship named for the state of Minnesota. The contract to build her was awarded to the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va., in August 2003.
When commissioned, the fast attack submarine USS Minnesota will be the most advanced ship in the fleet. Fancher, who will be in charge of the vessel, said the submarine will be the “most modern and sophisticated submarine in the world.”
The USS Minnesota will be capable of extended undersea missions as well as close-in operation near coastlines.
The last naval ship named after Minnesota was decommissioned in 1921. There were other ships in the fleet with Minnesota connections. The USS Minneapolis-St. Paul submarine was decommissioned in August 2008.
More information can be obtained by logging onto www.ussminnesota.org
