USS City of Corpus Christi arrives in Guam
7th Fleet News Release
Date: 10/17/2002
Journalist 2nd Class Melody D. Scalfone, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas public affairs
APRA HARBOR, Guam -- USS City of Corpus Christi (SSN 705) arrived at its new homeport here Oct. 17. The Los Angeles class fast attack submarine is the first of three submarines to be homeported in Guam.
The crew was greeted by their family members, many of whom have been on Guam since the summer preparing for their arrival.
The arrival was a true homecoming for Electronics Technician 3rd Class (SS) Brian D. Eustaquio, a Yona, Guam, native, who ironically joined the Navy "to see the world." His mother, Rose, saw her son for the first time since their 2000 family reunion. "We're very proud," said Rose Eustaquio. "He's the first and only local to be stationed on a nuclear submarine here." Eustaquio, who works in the reactor controls division, completed his submarine warfare qualifications the night before the submarine arrived.
With the help of a local talk radio station, one spouse was able to speak to her husband on the submarine as it was pulling in, and many spouses were able to talk to relatives in the mainland United States.
"I was most struck this morning by the value of the family event we saw unfolding -- from the first kiss to greeting the families," said Guam Congressional Delegate Robert Underwood. "It reminds us of the sacrifices the men are making in uniform and the debt we own them . To those of you in uniform, I salute you."
Chief Electronics Technician (SS) Christopher Haven, also of the City of Corpus Christi's reactor controls division, was the winner of the "first kiss" contest, allowing him to be the first Sailor to come off the submarine and greet his wife.
"Coming to Guam was the easiest move for us because the people here worked with us so well," said Haven's wife, Fawn. "We love it in Guam." Fawn Haven was also surprised with a call from her Aunt Joy, who phoned the radio station's remote site from her home in Cincinnati.
After the submarine passed the harbor's breakwater, it was decorated with a 60-ft lei made by the crew's wives. Four bed sheets with their children's handprints in paint were also hung on the dry dock in the harbor across from the arrival pier.
The submarine traveled 14,000 nautical miles from Portsmouth, N.H., down the Atlantic seaboard, through the Panama Canal and across the Pacific Ocean to arrive in Guam. During the trip, 21 crewmembers completed their submarine warfare qualifications, 28 Sailors had birthdays and four babies were born while their fathers were at sea.
"We learned to work together as a team," said City of Corpus Christi Commanding Officer Cmdr. Robert J. Schmidt. "We're ready to begin a new era in the protection of our country."
Several local military and civil officials were on hand for the ceremony.
"Today's homeporting reaffirms the role that Guam plays in.the preservation of world peace," said Senator Antonio "Tony" Unpingco, speaker of the Guam Legislature. "The Navy has contributed many chapters to our island's history."
"This is a great day for Guam -- a milestone in our history and we welcome you with open arms," said Acting Guam Governor Madeline Bordallo. "We are so happy to see this additional security on our island."
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas, Rear Adm. Patrick W. Dunne presented a plaque to Schmidt. "All of our support services are standing by to assist you and your families," said Dunne.
The second submarine, USS San Francisco (SSN 711), is scheduled to arrive in December, and the third submarine will arrive in 2004.
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