By RICK BURKE

Navy Office of Community Outreach

NORFOLK, Va. – A 2013 Chelsea High School graduate and Chelsea native is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard USS John Warner, one of the U.S. Navy’s fast-attack submarines.

Seaman Connor Gardner is a sonar technician (submarine) aboard the Norfolk-based submarine, one of only 16 Virginia-class fast-attack submarines in the Navy’s fleet.

A Navy sonar technician (submarine) is a responsible for the safety of the ship while submerged underwater.

“I enjoy the tactical intelligence of my job and working with my fellow sailors,” Gardner said.

Gardner credits success in the Navy to many of the lessons learned in Chelsea.

“It taught me to be humble and my family instilled in me a great work ethic that I have carried with me into the Navy,” said Gardner. “This helped me be successful at everything that I do.”

With a crew of 130, this submarine is 377 feet long and displaces approximately 7,800 tons. John Warner’s nuclear-powered propulsion system helps push the submarine through the water at more than 25 mph and to depths greater than 800 feet.

A key element of the Navy’s mission is tied to the fact that America is a maritime nation, according to Navy officials, and the nation’s prosperity is tied to the ability to operate freely on the world’s oceans. More than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water; 80 percent of the world’s population lives close to a coast; and 90 percent of all global trade by volume travels by sea.

“Our submarines continue to provide access with influence,” said Vice Adm. Chas Richard, Commander, Submarine Forces. “Our elite force is charged by our nation with exploiting unique undersea advantages to provide the United States influence, especially far forward where other forces cannot complete the mission, and where persistent undersea concealment provides unique access. We use that access and undersea concealment to provide unique intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of national interests, and, if necessary, we are ready to use our undersea advantage to conduct strike warfare ashore, conduct theater and unit-level anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, and perform other missions such as employing special forces.”

USS John Warner returned from an overseas deployment in July, which included combat operations in April, launching Tomahawk cruise missiles in targeted strikes against Syrian military facilities.

During this maiden deployment, sailors sailed more than 30,000 nautical miles and conducted port visits in Greece, Scotland, Spain and the United Kingdom. The crew also sailed above the Arctic Circle.

“Being the commanding officer of one of our nation’s submarines is the honor of a lifetime,” said Cmdr. Will Wiley, commanding officer of John Warner. “I come to work every day with a smile on my face because of the outstanding men and women I have the opportunity to serve with on USS John Warner who all volunteered to keep our country safe.”

As a member of one of the U.S. Navy’s most relied upon assets, Gardner and his fellow submariners know they are part of a legacy that will last beyond their lifetimes, one that will provide a critical component of the navy the nation needs.

“I have learned to maximize my time, not to take things for granted, and I love the camaraderie that I have amongst my fellow sailors,” Gardner said.

Though there are many ways for sailors to earn distinction in their command, community, and career, Gardner is most proud of completing his first deployment and receiving his submarine qualification pin in a foreign country.

“I learned there is so much history involved in getting your submarine warfare device,” Gardner said. “It was the first designation pin in the Navy and it is a great honor knowing that I am part of a special community.”

Submariners are some of the most highly-trained and skilled sailors in the Navy. The training programs are highly technical to ensure each crewmember is able to operate, maintain and repair every system and piece of equipment on the submarine.

“Serving in the Navy means making sacrifice for others,” Gardner added. “I stayed a lot of time away from home but it’s worth knowing my family can rest easy while I have the watch.

With only 130 elite sailors assigned, submarine crews build strong fellowship, are highly motivated and quickly adapt to changing conditions. A career as a submariner is a life of specialized work, unique missions and some of the most advanced training in the Navy.