The Commanding Officer of PCU New Mexico, CDR Mark Prokopius, and his Communications Officer LT Beau Wielkoszewski, visited Albuquerque in early October and participated in various Navy Week and Balloon Fiesta activities. Rear Admiral Paul Bushong, Commanding Officer of Submarine Group Two, also visited the Duke City and served as the principal spokesman for Navy Week. Admiral Bushong, a 1981 graduate of the US Naval Academy, oversees all US Navy submarines in the Atlantic, including USS NEW MEXICO.
Navy Week offered great exposure in the news media for our namesake submarine. Live interviews included Admiral Bushong with KOB-TV4 anchor Tom Joles and CDR Prokopius with KOAT-TV7 anchors Melissa Montoya and Marisa Maes. The CO was also interviewed by Bob Clark on KKOB 770’s morning radio show and by Charles Brunt of the Albuquerque Journal. See the October 19, 2009 edition of the Journal for Charles’ front-page story on NEW MEXICO and her crew.
RDML Bushong and Tom Joles
CDR Prokopius Interviewing with KOAT TV
Albuquerque Navy Week, one of 21 Navy Weeks across the nation this year, was organized by the Navy Office of Community Outreach to show Americans the investment they have made in their Navy and to raise public awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence.
The Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce (AHCC) hosted a special breakfast reception for Admiral Bushong, where he briefed Chamber board members and Club 779 business leaders on the importance of having a strong Navy. With 90% of the world’s commerce traveling by sea, the Admiral stressed that we need our Navy to ensure vital sea lanes are always open for global trading. It may not be readily apparent to a land-locked state like New Mexico, but the vast majority of the world’s population lives within 100 miles of our planet’s ocean and here again it is imperative that we maintain a strong Navy to protect our homeland, our citizens and our interests around the world. Bushong acknowledged the great support that New Mexicans are is providing to the Navy and, in particular, the Chamber’s support for USS NEW MEXICO.
AHCC President Alex Romero & RDML Bushong
NEW MEXICO is one of 54 fast-attack nuclear submarines. On the day he spoke (Oct 5), Bushong reported that 29 subs or 53% of our fast-attack sub force were underway or deployed. He added that our combatant commanders have needs for 18 forward-deployed subs but we can only provide 10 at any given time. Even so, that’s presence with a purpose and it is a crucial part of our globally distributed, mission-tailored maritime forces.
The Navy’s newest weapon to support our maritime strategies is USS NEW MEXICO. When she is fully operational, she will be hidden from view and constantly moving, able to take out anything from a bunker to an entire city, with the enemy having no idea where the shots came from. NEW MEXICO will be able to place a Navy SEAL team on shore and then retrieve it after their mission is complete, all the while submerged. As Bushong says, “on the scene, but unseen.”
The Navy League’s New Mexico Council hosted an Admiral’s Call reception. Bushong and Prokopius received rides in retired Brig. Gen. Mike Rice’s balloon. The CO participated in a “Caps for Kids” event at Presbyterian Hospital Children’s Center where he distributed 24 SSN-779 ball caps. The CO and LT Wielkoszewski placed second in the Great Green Chile Cook-off at El Pinto Restaurant. They then served El Pinto chile stew at the New Mexico Veterans Integration Center.
CDR Prokopius visiting the Presbyterian Hospital Children’s Center
“Chef” Prokopius at the Great Green Chile Cook-off
Navy Week brings out that very special spirit that resides within the men and women of the US Navy today. These young professionals dedicate themselves to the welfare of others, and we saw that first hand in Albuquerque Navy Week 2009.
Photos courtesy of US Navy, Submarine Group Two.