KITTERY —
USS Helena (SSN 725) and her crew of 18 officers and 126 enlisted personnel arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard today for an extended maintenance period. While at the Shipyard, Helena will receive several system upgrades. Built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, Helena was commissioned in July 1987. She is the fourth United States Naval ship to bear the name Helena.
Helena is assigned to Submarine Squadron ELEVEN, and operates from her homeport of San Diego, California, where she has earned her reputation as a “front line” fast attack submarine. Helena has completed numerous exercises and nine Western Pacific deployments.
In early 2009, Helena participated in ICEX 2009, surfacing under ice and conducting various weapons and tactics training in the Arctic environment.
Helena has won numerous unit awards, including three Battle Efficiency “E” awards.
Helena’s Commanding Officer is Commander Paul L. Dinius. A resident of Vermont, Commander Dinius graduated from Norwich University, the Military College of Vermont in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and was commissioned through the Naval ROTC program at Norwich.
Commander Dinius’ first shipboard assignment was USS Pargo (SSN 650), where he served as the Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant and Communications Officer. While on board he completed a North Atlantic deployment and arctic operations. Upon the decommissioning of USS Pargo, he transferred to USS Alabama (SSBN 731 )(Gold) where he completed four strategic deterrent patrols and earned his first Battle Efficiency “E” award. From 1996 to 1999, he served as an Assistant Professor of Naval Science, NROTC, University of Oklahoma.
Commander Dinius then served as the Combat Systems Officer on USS Hampton (SSN 767) from 1999 to 2002. completing one North Atlantic deployment and earning his second Battle Efficiency “E.” His next assignment was as the Submarine Department Head detailer (PERS-42), Navy Personnel Command, in Millington. TN. from 2002 to 2004.
Commander Dinius was then assigned as Executive Officer of USS Jefferson City (SSN 759) from 2004 to 2006 where he completed one Western Pacific deployment and earned a third Battle “E”. In 2006. he transferred to and served as a Special Assistant to the Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, and as the Deputy Director of the Commander’s Action Group until 2008.
Commander Dinius holds Master’s Degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma, and in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University. He is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College Correspondence Course and Joint Forces Staff College. He is also a licensed Professional Engineer with the State of Oklahoma. His awards include the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (six awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards). and various unit awards.
USS Helena’s host community is the Town of South Berwick, Maine.
Photo caption: USS Helena (SSN 725) makes her way up the Piscataqua River towards Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. While at the Shipyard, Helena will complete various maintenance work and receive several system upgrades. (U.S. Navy photo)
USS Helena (SSN 725) and her crew of 18 officers and 126 enlisted personnel arrived at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard today for an extended maintenance period. While at the Shipyard, Helena will receive several system upgrades. Built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut, Helena was commissioned in July 1987. She is the fourth United States Naval ship to bear the name Helena.
Helena is assigned to Submarine Squadron ELEVEN, and operates from her homeport of San Diego, California, where she has earned her reputation as a “front line” fast attack submarine. Helena has completed numerous exercises and nine Western Pacific deployments.
In early 2009, Helena participated in ICEX 2009, surfacing under ice and conducting various weapons and tactics training in the Arctic environment.
Helena has won numerous unit awards, including three Battle Efficiency “E” awards.
Helena’s Commanding Officer is Commander Paul L. Dinius. A resident of Vermont, Commander Dinius graduated from Norwich University, the Military College of Vermont in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and was commissioned through the Naval ROTC program at Norwich.
Commander Dinius’ first shipboard assignment was USS Pargo (SSN 650), where he served as the Chemistry and Radiological Controls Assistant and Communications Officer. While on board he completed a North Atlantic deployment and arctic operations. Upon the decommissioning of USS Pargo, he transferred to USS Alabama (SSBN 731 )(Gold) where he completed four strategic deterrent patrols and earned his first Battle Efficiency “E” award. From 1996 to 1999, he served as an Assistant Professor of Naval Science, NROTC, University of Oklahoma.
Commander Dinius then served as the Combat Systems Officer on USS Hampton (SSN 767) from 1999 to 2002. completing one North Atlantic deployment and earning his second Battle Efficiency “E.” His next assignment was as the Submarine Department Head detailer (PERS-42), Navy Personnel Command, in Millington. TN. from 2002 to 2004.
Commander Dinius was then assigned as Executive Officer of USS Jefferson City (SSN 759) from 2004 to 2006 where he completed one Western Pacific deployment and earned a third Battle “E”. In 2006. he transferred to and served as a Special Assistant to the Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, and as the Deputy Director of the Commander’s Action Group until 2008.
Commander Dinius holds Master’s Degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma, and in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University. He is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College Correspondence Course and Joint Forces Staff College. He is also a licensed Professional Engineer with the State of Oklahoma. His awards include the Joint Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (six awards), the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards). and various unit awards.
USS Helena’s host community is the Town of South Berwick, Maine.
Photo caption: USS Helena (SSN 725) makes her way up the Piscataqua River towards Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. While at the Shipyard, Helena will complete various maintenance work and receive several system upgrades. (U.S. Navy photo)
