Change of Command
USS HELENA (SSN 725)
24 July 2009

USS Helena Holds Change Of Command

By SUBRON ELEVEN Public Affairs Release Date: 07/24/2009

NAVAL BASE POINT LOMA, CA – Cmdr. Paul L. Dinius relieved Cmdr. Daniel J. Brunk as Commanding Officer of USS Helena (SSN 725) during a pier side ceremony in Naval Base Point Loma July 24.

Captain Brett Genoble, Commander, Submarine Squadron 11 (COMSUBRON 11) was the guest speaker.

Under Brunk's command, Helena traversed more than 81, 000 miles in support of the Chief of Naval Operations’ Maritime Strategy. Helena successfully completed a Western Pacific deployment and participated in one of the submarine force’s largest ever tactical development torpedo exercises. Further, Helena operated under the ice in the Arctic region, demonstrating that submarines can operate anywhere. Locally, Helena assisted carrier strike groups and other key assets in preparing for deployment to hot spots around the world.

Brunk, a native of Madison Heights, Mich., will next serve as Deputy Director of the Farragut Technical Analysis Center at the Office of Naval Intelligence in Suitland, Md.

Cmdr. Dinius, a Santa Barbara, Calif. native, entered the United States Navy in 1992 via the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps program after graduating from Norwich University in Vermont. His previous assignments include USS Pargo (SSN 650), USS Alabama (SSBN 731) (Gold), USS Hampton (SSN 767), and USS Jefferson City (SSN 759). He holds master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from University of Oklahoma and in engineering management from Old Dominion University.


Incoming Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Paul L. Dinius, proceeds through the sidebuoys prior to taking command of USS Helena (SSN 725) during a pier side ceremony at Naval Base Point Loma. Named after the Helena, Mont., USS Helena is a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 11 and homeported in Point Loma, Calif. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class April Currie/Released)\"

USS Helena is homeported in Naval Base Point Loma and is assigned to COMSUBRON 11, which consists of six Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarines, three Torpedo Retrievers, and a floating dry-dock.

Commander Paul L. Dinius
Commanding Officer, USS Helena (SSN 725)

CDR Paul L. Dinius was born in Santa Barbara, California, and is a resident of Vermont.
He 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.

CDR 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 during ICEX 2-
94. After 14 months and 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. He then served as an Assistant Professor of
Naval Science, NROTC, University of Oklahoma from 1996 to 1999.

From 1999 to 2002, he served as the Combat Systems Officer in USS Hampton (SSN
767), completing one North Atlantic deployment and earning his second Battle Efficiency
"E." He was then assigned as the Submarine Department Head detailer (PERS-42), Navy
Personnel Command, in Millington, TN, from 2002 to 2004.

His next assignment was 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". From 2006 to 2008 he was a Special Assistant to the Commander, US Strategic
Command, and the Deputy Director of the Commander's Action Group at
USSTRATCOM.

CDR Dinius holds Masters Degrees in Mechanical Engineering (1999) from the
University of Oklahoma, and in Engineering Management (2004) from Old Dominion
University. He is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College Correspondence
Course (JPME Phase I) and Joint Forces Staff College (JPME Phase II). 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.

 







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