BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. Doug Burgum released the following statement today after being informed by USS North Dakota Commander Mark T. Robinson that the U.S. Navy submarine has been certified for overseas deployment.
“Congratulations to Commander Robinson and the entire crew of the USS North Dakota for meeting the Navy’s highest standards for deployment,” Burgum said. “North Dakotans everywhere can be proud of this sophisticated Virginia-class submarine and her exceptional crew for representing our state and maintaining peace through strength with the utmost skill and professionalism.”
Robinson informed the governor that the commodore of Submarine Squadron Four and representatives from the Submarine Forces Atlantic have certified the USS North Dakota for all deployed operations. The submarine and her crew are scheduled to leave on deployment today to execute a wide array of different operations mainly in support of European Command forces, and return to Groton, Conn., at the end of January 2019, Robinson reported.
Officially known as the USS NORTH DAKOTA (SSN 784), the submarine was commissioned Oct. 25, 2014. Burgum and First Lady Kathryn Helgaas Burgum were among a group of North Dakotans who attended the change of command ceremony in November as Robinson relieved Commander Michael P. Hollenbach to become the submarine’s third commanding officer.
“I am very proud of the amazing crew of USS NORTH DAKOTA, very excited to be associated with the amazing state and people of North Dakota,” Robinson stated. “As we sail away from friends and loved ones, we will be flying the state flag topside.”