The three-day tiger cruise allowed Wyoming Blue Sailors to give friends and family a first-hand experience of life underway aboard a Trident submarine and a familiarity of the ship's day-to-day operations. The guests remained onboard as they transited back to the ship’s homeport of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia.
“I am very grateful we had the opportunity to showcase what we do and demonstrate to the families why what they do when we are at sea is so important,” said Cmdr. Steven Dykstra, commanding officer of Wyoming Blue Crew. “While we’re at sea, our families back home have to adapt to life without their Sailors. Child care, car issues, home issues, all fall on the family members left behind, and though I feel the families understand the why of what we do, no one really gets it until they see it. When we have the opportunity to show families what we do underway I think it demonstrates that it takes the full Wyoming Family’s support, at sea and ashore, to keep our nation safe.”
While some transited aboard the ship, others watched from the pier as they awaited their Sailor’s arrival, both events haven’t been possible since the global pandemic, COVID-19.
“Working together, Wyoming Blue and Gold crews arranged and executed both a tiger cruise and families on the pier for return to port,” said Cmdr. Nate Murray, commanding officer of Wyoming Gold Crew. “These events are critical to the health of our force as we demonstrate our commitment to the families and honor their service and sacrifice.”
For some family members, this was the first time they were able watch their Sailor arrive in port, despite their Sailor serving in the Navy for more than a decade.
“My husband has been in [the Navy] for 13 years and this is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to see a pier side homecoming,” said April Hanson, whose husband is Sonar Technician (Submarines) 1st Class Nick Hanson. “I’m thankful he’s finally home. We have three small kids and it feels like every patrol gets a little harder. I’m looking forward to having my partner in crime back.”
Gavin Hostetler wasn’t sure he’d be able to see his wife, Electronics Technician (Nuclear) 3rd Class Xiomarie Montero, knowing that work doesn’t stop once the ship returns.
“It’s nice to be out here and get a better understanding of what she does,” said Hostetler. “I brought her some food, but she will probably have to stay on the boat for a while before she can leave.”
Simultaneously coordinating two rare and logistically complicated events could have been an impossible task without the assistance of various commands and supporting activities. The combined effort from Trident Refit Facility, Squadron Readiness Squadron-36, Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic, Morale, Welfare & Recreation, the command Ombudsman, and the Sailors of both crews, ensured both events were a success.
“It is hard to be a submariner,” said Lt. j.g. Phung K. Duong, Wyoming Gold’s supply officer. “The silent work that we do day in and day out is a true testament to the strong support that we receive directly from home. We want to include our children, parents, spouses, and friends in our celebration. These events were created to instill a sense of pride and understanding in the sacrifices that we make for our country.”
These events are a great way to recognize the support from the families, and hard work of the crews of Wyoming.
“Two crews working together produced SSBN availability at a time when our nation needs it most,” said Murray. “Over the past year, Wyoming Blue and Gold crews combined to provide nearly 300 days of at-sea strategic deterrence.”
SSBNs are specifically designed for extended deterrent patrols, stealth, and the precise delivery of nuclear warheads. They serve as an undetectable launch platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
The base is home to all east coast Ohio-class submarines.
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