Seawolf Submarine Association

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 G. Hagenbuch
Commanding Officer

CDR Douglas Hagenbuch was born and raised in Utica, Illinois. He was commissioned in 2004 at Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida after graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Engineering with an emphasis in Power and Machinery from Iowa State University.
In 2006, he reported to the USS SANTA FE (SSN 763) after completing initial nuclear power training in Charleston, South Carolina. During this tour the ship completed one artic transit, a Depot Modernization Period at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and one Western Pacific Deployment.
In 2012, he reported to the USS SEAWOLF (SSN 21) as the Engineer Officer. During this tour the ship completed two North Atlantic deployments including four arctic transits and surfaced twice at the North Pole.
In 2018, he reported to the USS TUCSON (SSN 770) as the Executive Officer. During this tour the ship completed one Western Pacific deployment.
His shore assignments include Maritime Exercise Planner at Commander Naval Forces Europe and Africa in Naples, Italy; Junior Board Member of the Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board at Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; and Chief of Staff at Commander Submarine Group EIGHT in Naples, Italy.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (seven awards), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. However, he is most proud of the various unit awards that reflect credit on the successful teams he has served with.
CDR Hagenbuch is married to Dr. Melissa Hagenbuch of Sidney, Montana and has three children: Mason, Lillian, and Maddalen.

LCDR Steven W. Wright
Executive Officer

LCDR Steven Wright, a native of Dumfries, VA. He graduated from Virginia Tech in 2010 with a degree in Ocean Engineering.
Upon completion of the initial submarine training pipeline in 2011, he reported to PCU MISSISSIPPI (SSN 782) as a Division Officer, serving as the Sonar Officer, Chemistry and Radiological Control Assistant, and Damage Control Assistant. During this tour, he deployed to EUCOM with USS NEW MEXICO (SSN 779). In 2014, he transferred to PCU ILLINOIS (SSN 786), serving as the assistant Engineer. Following completion of the Submarine Officer’s Advanced Course, LCDR Wright reported as the Strategic Weapons Officer onboard USS NEBRASKA (SSBN 739) (BLUE), where he completed 4 deterrent patrols.
LCDR Wright’s shore assignments include Weapons and Evasion Action Officer at the Tactical Analysis Group, and Strategic Targeting Officer at CTG 114.3.
LCDR Wright reported to USS SEAWOLF (SSN 21) in August 2024 following completion of the Submarine Command Course.
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (Two awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal (four awards).
LCDR Wright resides in Poulsbo, WA with his wife, Anna, and son, Anders.

LSSCS(SS) Patrick Diers
CHIEF OF THE BOAT

A native of Palisade, Colorado, he attended basic training in Great Lakes, Ill in 2004 and upon completion attended Storekeeper “A” school in Meridian, MS. He is a graduate of the United States Coast Guard Senior Enlisted Leadership Course and Naval Leadership and Ethics Center COB/CMC Course.
His assignments at sea include: USS SAN FRANCISCO (SSN 711), USS PENNSYLVANIA (SSBN 735), Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (IA), USS NEBRASKA (SSBN 739), LPO aboard USS NEVADA (SSBN 733), Supply Department Enlisted Advisor aboard USS HYMAN G. RICKOVER (SSN 795).
During these operational tours he completed 10 strategic deterrent patrols 1 Individual Augmentee assignment and a EUCOM deployment.
His shore assignments include: COMSUBDEVRON 5, COMSUBRON 21, Undersea Rescue Command and Fleet Logistics Center-Puget Sound.
His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (two awards), the Army Commendation Medal (one award), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards) and various unit and campaign awards. He is married to his wife Amanda and has two children.

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 Douglas Hagenbuch	CDR Dennis L. Witzenburg
	CDR Richard W. Talipsky

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