Cmdr. Douglas Gordon
Cmdr. Douglas Gordon
Commander Gordon was born inIndianapolis,INand graduated fromAuburnUniversityin 1991 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He enlisted in the Navy and attended Nuclear Power School prior to being released from active duty to attend Auburn University on an NROTC scholarship. Following graduation, he completed nuclear power training and the Submarine Officer Basic Course prior to assignment aboard USS ALBANY (SSN 753) from January 1993 to December 1995.From December 1995 to March 1998 he served on the staff of Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet as a Command Center Watch Officer and later as the Fleet Intelligence Support Officer. Commander Gordon went on to be the Engineer Officer in USS LOUISIANA (SSBN 743) (Blue) from October 1998 to October 2001 where he completed five strategic deterrent patrols. He reported in October 2001 to Commander, United States Pacific Fleet, Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board, where he served as a junior board member on the inspection team.Commander Gordon was assigned as Executive Officer in USS SANTA FE
(SSN 763) from February 2004 to December 2005, completing one Western Pacific deployment. He earned a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University prior to his departure. Following his tour, he was assigned to Commander, Submarine Development Squadron Twelve as a Deputy Commander for Readiness from January 2006 to July 2006. Commander Gordon graduated from the Naval War College in June 2007, earning a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies, as well as completing Joint Professional Military Education Phase II. He served as the Deputy Branch Head for Capability Assessments and Lean Six Sigma (N126) on the OPNAV staff from July 2007 to December 2008. He then served as Deputy Commander for Readiness on the staff of Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen in Guam until July 2011.
Commander Gordon is entitled to wear the Meritorious Service Medal with two gold stars, the Navy Commendation Medal with three gold stars, the Navy Achievement Medal with two gold stars, and various other unit awards.
He is married to the former Christine Hinson ofJackson,AL. They reside in Ledyard, CT with their three boys Christopher (20), Nicholas (15), and Benjamin (10).
LCDR Jeremiah Minner
LCDR Jeremiah Minner
LCDR Jeremiah Minner was raised inDenver,COand graduated in 1999 from theUnited StatesNavalAcademy. Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, he attended the nuclear training pipeline inCharleston,SCandSubmarine OfficerBasicSchoolinGroton,CT. He was then assigned to the USS MICHIGAN (GOLD) (SSBN 727) inBangor,WA. During this tour he completed four strategic deterrent patrols. He qualified as a submarine warfare officer in 2002 and his jobs included Electrical Assistant, Chemical and Radiological Controls Assistant and Communicator.LCDR Minner was then assigned as the Intelligence Special Projects Officer for COMUSNAVEUR inLondon,England. During this tour he was responsible for the planning and execution of classified operations in the NAVEUR Area of Operation and multi-national naval operations. He earned a Master of Engineering degree in Engineering Management fromOldDominionUniversityduring this tour.Following the 2005 relocation of COMUSNAVEUR Headquarters toNaples, IT, LCDR Minner transferred to theNavalSubmarineSchoolinGroton,CT. As the Tactics Division Lead Instructor he was responsible for training officers in basic and advanced submarine tactics, training and evaluating ships preparing for deployment and supporting the Submarine Command Course.
Upon completion of Submarine Officer Advanced Course, LCDR Minner reported as the Engineer Officer in USS TEXAS (SSN 775). Here he took the ship through Post Shakedown Availability (PSA) at Electric Boat Shipyard inGroton,CT. Following the ship’s Post-PSA sea trials and acoustic testing he conducted the first-in-class arctic testing and an inter-fleet change of home port from Groton, CT to Pearl Harbor, HI.
LCDR Minner was then assigned as the new construction Navigator and Operations Officer in PCUMISSISSIPPI(SSN 782) at Electric Boat Shipyard inGroton,CT. During this time he was responsible for the initial manning, training and certification of non-nuclear trained crew members and ship’s systems.
Following his department head tours, LCDR Minner reported to the Tactical Analysis Group in Submarine Development Squadron TWELVE as the Submarine Exercise Planning Officer. During this time his primary focus was multinational submarine exercise planning and execution to provide new search and employment tactics with conventional and developmental sensors.
LCDR Minner’s personal awards include the Naval Commendation Medal, Naval Achievement Medal and other personal and unit awards.
LCDR Minner’s wife, Tracy, their son, Marshall, and daughter, Aurelia, reside inLedyard,CT. LCDR Minner is a martial arts instructor and enjoys home remodeling and reconstruction, music and reading.
COB Timothy Preabt
COB Timothy Preabt
As the Senior Enlisted Sailor on board, COB Timothy Preabt will work directly for the Commanding Officer and assist the Executive Officer in all aspects of the submarine’s operations. He will be responsible to the Captain, for maintaining good order and discipline throughout the command. He has the responsibility to provide the Captain with sound judgment on all matters pertinent to the welfare and morale of the crew and their families. As a second term COB with over 22 years of Naval Service and having just taken the USS Key West through an Extended Overhaul Availability, Preabt knows the challenges of working in the shipyard environment and what is require to balance the command’s mission and the quality of life for the 135 officers and crew of the PCU North Dakota. He will work along side his Offices and Chief Petty Officers to transform the crew into a motivated, operationally proficient team of Professional Submariners.
The Sailors
The crew of the USS North Dakota photographed at the Keel Laying Ceremony at General Dynamics Electric Boat on May 11, 2012.
