Casper Native Takes Command of Navy Submarine
A Casper native is now in command of the Navy ballistic missile submarine USS Tennessee (Gold). Cmdr. Jon Schaffner relieved Cmdr. Christopher Bohner as commanding officer on March 24th, during a ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base in Kings Bay, Georgia.
Schaffner was last stationed at Undersea Warfighting Development Center where he was the executive officer, according to the Navy Office of Community Outreach. His most recent operational assignment was as executive officer aboard USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) where he completed a deployment to the Western Pacific, earning the boat a Navy Unit Commendation.
Speaking at the ceremony, Schaffner said he was excited to work with his Sailors. “To the crew of USS Tennessee, you are America at its best,” said Schaffner. “Every day we will strive to be the best at protecting our allies and fellow Americans with the credible, reliable, and survivable nuclear deterrent capability of USS Tennessee. I look forward to serving as your captain and promise to give you my best as we accomplish our nation’s highest priority mission of strategic deterrence together."
The USS Tennessee (Gold) was commissioned in December of 1988, is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to be named for the State of Tennessee, and the ninth of 18 Ohio-class submarines.