Springfield’s New Skipper Is Proud Of His Ship And Crew

Not everyone knows what they want to be when they are 16, but  Commander Chris Williams did. He wanted to be the commanding officer of a nuclear submarine.

 

On January 20, at the  Naval Submarine Library and Museumin Groton, that goal became a reality.  Williams assumed command of the USS Springfield (SSN-761) from Commander Enrique Panlillo in the formal change-of-command ceremony to mark the event.  Originally from  Atlanta, Georgia, Williams is no stranger to  Southeastern Connecticut, having been in and out of various submarine schools here since 1995.

Williams entered the U.S. Naval Academy directly from high school. He majored in chemical engineering, and later went on to attain a master of science degree in National Security Strategy from the  National War College.  With his avid interest in applied technology, a career in submarines was a natural fit. Springfield is Williams’ seventh ship; he formerly served as an engineer on the USS Chicago (SSN-721) and the executive officer on the USS Michigan (SSGN-727).

 Williams noted that the command change has gone very smoothly, due in large part to a seasoned crew’s enthusiasm. “We have a great crew on the Springfield,” states Williams. “The sailors are the best part of the job. They make you feel proud to be an  American. They are incredibly talented and hard-working.”

 Williams goes on saying that many of the men are also talented musicians and artists. Cmdr. Williams describes a typical — extremely busy — day at sea on board a submarine. At any time, one third of the crew is on watch, the other third is sleeping, and the remaining sailors are busy with skills development and studying. Water and oxygen are manufactured on board the sub, and it can easily carry 90 days worth of food.  Williams says the hardest part of the job has a lot to do with available space. “There is a lot of firepower in a very close space and not a lot of people,” he said. “Getting all the work done on any given day is tough. It makes you proud.”

 USS Springfield is a Los Angles class attack submarine with a crew of 136 men. She was commissioned January 9, 1993, and was built by General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton.  The vessel’s motto is “United for Freedom,” referring to her unique status representing two cities:  Springfield, Massachusetts, and Springfield, Illinois.

 Cmdr. Williams is happy to be aboard USS Springfield and to be calling Southeastern Connecticut home. He’s also quick to say how tremendously privileged he feels to be here and how impressed he is by the interaction between the cities, towns, Electric Boat, and the submarine base.

“I live in Mystic and I read the Resident,” says Williams with a smile. “This truly is the submarine capital of the world.”