VP Adopted Ships, Active/Reserve Units. 

Serves as the key contact with Minnesota based active and maritime units including the Naval Talent Acquisition Group (NTAG), Naval Operations Support Center, Marine Aircraft Wing Support Squadron 471, Marine Corps Recruiting Station, Maritime Support Unit Duluth, and Merchant Marine units throughout the state.  Coordinates with adopted ships (i.e., USS Minnesota, USS Minneapolis Saint Paul and USCGC Spar to determine needs.  Submits and annual budget which is approved by the Council for these support elements so that appropriate funding or sponsorship can be gotten to fund these activities. 

USS Minneapolis Saint Paul LCS 21:

CDR Justin Neff continues to lead the crew through the final months of their maintenance availability.  After an extended drydock period, they placed MSP back in the water just over one month ago.  She is still in the shipyard finishing the upgrades scheduled for the Freedom variant of the Littoral Combat Ship. 

We have invited members of the crew to come to Minnesota to march in the July Minneapolis Aquatennial Parade, among other events.  We are waiting on SURFLANT approval. 

USS Minnesota SSN 783:

Like MSP, USS Minnesota is in the final months of their two-year maintenance availability.  The boat was floated out of the drydock last October and continues to receive updates to its system.  We hope to see members of the crew back in Minnesota prior to the boat becoming operational and deployable. 

Navy Recruiting and Navy Reserves:

I had the opportunity to attend the opening night of the new Blue Angels movie in Burnsville with leadership of Navy Recruiting and the Naval Reserve Center.  My son has gone from active duty to the reserve component and I’m getting an understanding of the activities of our Minnesota reservists.  My son’s unit is attached to Sub Group 9 in Bangor WA. 

The National Convention of the Navy League

I attended the national convention and was voted in as a national delegate.  The convention offered leadership sessions on fundraising, recruiting new Navy League members, the value of supporting our naval sea cadets, and the status of the fleet.