Sequim native keeping America safe aboard U.S. Navy submarine

Published 12:21 pm Wednesday, August 5, 2015

by LTJG Jennifer Cunningham

Navy Office of Community Outreach

A 2007 Sequim High School graduate and Sequim native is serving aboard one of the U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, living and working at a Navy base in Silverdale.

Petty Officer Second Class Patrick O’Sullivan is a machinist’s mate on the USS Louisiana (SSBN 743), which is based in Silverdale, where he is one of the nuclear reactor chemists.

“I enjoy working with chemistry and being able to take a sample and describe it to people and help them understand it,” O’Sullivan said.

The USS Louisiana is one of the Navy’s 14 Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines, also referred to as “boomers,” which patrol the world’s oceans for months at a time, serving as undetectable launch platforms for submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

Together with land-based missiles and strategic bombers, the Navy’s Ohio-class submarines are part of the nation’s strategic nuclear deterrence triad. Because of their stealth, they are considered the most survivable component of the triad.

Ohio-class submarines like the USS Louisiana have a very high operational availability due to an innovative crewing concept. Each submarine has two crews, Blue and Gold, which alternate manning the submarines and taking them on patrol. This maximizes the sub’s strategic availability, reduces the number of submarines required to meet strategic requirements and allows for proper crew training, readiness and morale.

O’Sullivan serves on the USS Louisiana Gold Crew.

As a sailor with numerous responsibilities, O’Sullivan said he is learning about himself as a leader, sailor and a person.

“Being in the Navy has given me a higher sense of how to organize and manage my priorities,” O’Sullivan said. “I’ve also developed better study habits.”

With about 15 officers and 140 enlisted comprising the submarine’s company, jobs are highly varied. Each member of the crew plays a role in keeping the submarine’s mission ready — this includes everything from washing dishes and preparing meals to handling weaponry and maintaining the propulsion system.

“We protect and defend America from below the world’s oceans and no other nation can match our capabilities,” said Rear Adm. Dave Kriete, commander of Submarine Group Nine in Bangor.

“Our submarine force could not thrive without the professionalism and skill of our sailors,” Kriete said. “These men and women, whose mission is often unsung because of its discreet nature, represent the finest characteristics of our nation’s military. Their families, friends and the entire nation should be extremely proud of what they do every day.”

O’Sullivan said he is proud of the work he is doing as a member of the crew, protecting America on the world’s oceans.

“I like that I get to learn a lot about things I wouldn’t have otherwise,” O’Sullivan said. “My job has given me opportunities to advance and given me talents I wouldn’t have otherwise had. Also, being able to operate a nuclear reactor is pretty cool.”

In addition to the USS Louisiana, seven other Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines are home ported in Kitsap County, along with three Seawolf-class submarines and two Ohio-class guided missile submarines that are all assigned to the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Fast, maneuverable and technically advanced, submarines are some of the most versatile ships in the Navy. They are capable of conducting a variety of missions that can include engaging enemy vessels in the sea, launching missiles at targets on land, providing a platform for SEALS to operate from and conducting intelligence and surveillance around the world.

Because of the demanding nature of service aboard submarines, sailors like O’Sullivan are accepted only after rigorous testing and observation that can last several months. The crews have to be highly motivated and adapt quickly to changing conditions.

“The most rewarding thing about serving in the Navy is the pride in serving my country and knowing the sacrifices you make are appreciated,” O’Sullivan said.

The Navy is developing a follow-on submarine to replace the Ohio-class, which will begin to reach the end of their service lives in the late 2020s. The Ohio Replacement Ballistic Missile Submarines will remain in service through the 2080s.

The Ohio Replacement submarine will continue to fulfill the country’s critical strategic deterrence mission while incorporating cost-effective and reliable systems that are advanced, yet technologically mature.