KITTERY –PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD: USS Dallas (SSN 700) and her crew of 18 officers and 126 enlisted personnel arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on December 3, 2008. While at the Shipyard, Dallas will complete various maintenance work and receive several system upgrades. Built by the Electric Boats Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, Dallas is the first United States Naval Ship to bear the name of the City of Dallas, Texas.
Dallas’ Commanding Officer, Commander David Roberts is a native of New Providence, New Jersey and a 1985 graduate of Westerville North High School in Westerville, Ohio. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Architecture. In 1996, he received a Master of Engineering Management degree from the George Washington University in Washington, DC. Following nuclear propulsion and basic submarine training, Commander Roberts reported to USS New York City (SSN 696) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii where he served in a variety of division officer assignments during three western Pacific deployments. In February 1994, he was assign to the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Arlington, Virginia as a submarine Junior Officer Detailer. In 1996, Commander Roberts reported to USS Miami (SSN 755) in Groton, Connecticut as Engineer Officer. During this tour, the ship completed three deployments to the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf and participated in Operation Desert Fox, conducting Tomahawk missile strikes against Iraq. From 1999 to 2001, Commander Roberts was assigned to the staff of Commander, Submarine development Squadron Twelve as the Material Officer. Commander Roberts’ Executive Officer tour was aboard USS Nebraska (SSBN 739 Gold) in Kings Bay, Georgia. He completed three strategic deterrent patrols on Nebraska and was then assigned to the Operations Directorate on the Joint Staff in November 2003. Most recently following the Submarine Command Course, he was assigned as a Middle East liaison officer in the Center for Submarine Counter-Terrorism Operations.
Commander Roberts’ awards include the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards) and various campaign and unit awards.
Photo caption: USS Dallas (SSN 700) and her crew of 18 officers and 126 enlisted personnel arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on December 3, 2008. (Courtesy photo)
