USS SEAWOLF (SSN 21)

USS Seawolf (SSN 21) is a nuclear powered fast attack submarine and the lead ship of her class.  Built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics, Seawolf was commissioned on 19 July 1997 with the AN/BSY-2 Combat System installed. Seawolf is assigned to Submarine Development Squadron 5 and home-ported in Bangor, WA. 

She is the fourth submarine in the U.S. Navy to bear the name Seawolf. 

USS Seawolf (SS-28) was the lead ship of the H-Class submarines. Commissioned in 1913, she ran aground and sank in 1920. 

USS Seawolf (SS-197) was a Sargo-class submarine.  Commissioned in 1939, she was successful during World War II until she was lost to friendly fire in 1944. 

USS Seawolf (SSN 575) was the second nuclear powered ship in the U.S. Navy fleet.  She was commissioned in 1957 and decommissioned in 1987,  

USS Seawolf Leadership Triad

CDR Douglas Hagenbuch

Commanding Officer

     

J


LCDR Christopher Donnelly

Executive Officer 



STSCM(SS/IW) Christopher A. Purdum

Chief of the Boat


STSCM(SS/IW) Christopher Alan Purdum was born on August 9, 1979 in Plumwood, Ohio.  He enlisted in the Navy on 13 August 1997, and completed Recruit Training in Great Lakes, Illinois and Basic Enlisted Submarine School and Sonar “A” School in Groton, CT.

In May 1998, Master Chief Purdum reported to USS SEAWOLF (SSN 21) in Groton, CT as a Seaman Recruit.  In September 1998, he received his silver dolphins and immediately volunteered to ride the USS TREPANG (SSN 674) for an around the world deployment, advanced to Petty Officer Second Class, and decided to make the Navy a career.  Master Chief Purdum then reported to the Submarine Surveillance Equipment Program (SSEP) at NAVSUBSCOL for Type II sea duty in August 2001 and was one of the first Second Class Petty Officers in the history of SSEP to earn his title as Master Groom Specialist. 

He reported to USS CONNECTICUT (SSN 22) in Groton, CT in March 2005 as the Sonar Leading Petty Officer. He executed a homeport shift to Bremerton, WA and was selected to Chief Petty Officer in August 2008.   For his first shore duty he reported to Trident Training Facility, Bangor, WA in March 2009 where he completed Master Training Specialist and Master Training Specialist Mentor.  Master Chief Purdum then transferred to USS SEAWOLF (SSN 21) in June 2012 and was advanced to Senior Chief. He was also a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 196), was the recipient of the prestigious Peter Tomich Distinguished Leadership Award, and earned his Associates Degree.  

He departed SEAWOLF in June 2017 and reported to COMSUBPAC SSEP in Pearl Harbor, HI.  During his tour he earned his Information Warfare device and graduated the CMC/COB Course (Class 217).  Master Chief Purdum then reported, for a third time, to USS SEAWOLF (SSN 21) as the Chief of the Boat in January 2021.

He is authorized to wear the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (eight awards), the Meritorious Unit Citation (three awards), the Navy Battle E (four awards), the Navy Expeditionary Medal, the Navy Good Conduct Medal (seven awards), and various other unit and personal awards.   

Master Chief Purdum currently resides in Port Orchard, WA. He is married to the former Alicia Terilli.  They have two children, Brooke, 16 and Caleb, 20.  His hobbies include:  Running, Demolition Derby, Sports, Auto Mechanics, sports card collecting, bird watching, and anything competitive.

Former Seawolf Commanding Officers

 SSN 21 SSN 575 SS 197

 CDR David M. McCall

 CDR Richard B. Laning LCDR Frederick B. Warder
 CDR Micheal J. Conner LCDR Charles S. Carlisle LCDR Royce L. Gross
 CDR Harold H. Howard III LCDR Alfred J. Whittle, Jr.  LCDR Richard B. Lynch
 CDR Paul T. Stevens LCDR Thomas B. Brittain, Jr.  LCDR Albert M. Bontier
 CDR Harry L. Ganteaume LCDR John P. Cady 
 CDR Daniel Packer LCDR Edward T. Scott 
 CAPT Broderick V. Berkhout CDR Rodney D. Griffiths 
 CDR Jeffrey M. Bierley CDR Robert W. Chewing 
 CDR Christopher T. George CDR John A. Webster 
 CDR Jeremy M. Johnston CDR Charles R. MacVean 
 CDR Jeffrey Fassbender CDR Micheal C. Tieman 
  CDR Dennis L. Witzenburg 
  CDR Richard W. Talipsky 

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The Seawolf Submarine Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All Donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. 

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