Update 1435 23 May: As mentioned in the comments below, we did lose a Submariner in Afghanistan this week. LT Jeff Ammon was killed by an IED in the Aband District, while serving with PRT Ghanzi; he was on IA duty from shore duty in Navy Region Northwest, and was previously assigned to USS Alabama (SSBN 731). From an article in the Kitsap Sun:
At Navy Region Northwest, Ammon was an operations and planning staff officer. He had transferred from the Bangor-based Trident submarine USS Alabama, where he was an engineering officer, Hughes said.My understanding is that he was an ELT in his enlisted days. I wrote about some other submariners serving on Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan here.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Lt. Ammon’s family and to our Navy Region Northwest family during this very difficult time,” said Rear Adm. James A. Symonds, Navy Region Northwest commander. “This is a tragic loss to Jeff’s family, friends and the entire CNRNW staff. All of Jeff’s uniformed and civilian co-workers are touched by the loss of this brave man. He was a professional who was extremely dedicated to his family, his shipmates and our nation. He will be greatly missed by all of those who loved him and worked with him. We extend our deepest sympathies to Ammon family.”
Ammon, who is survived by a wife and two children, is from Orem, Utah. He enlisted in the Navy in 1988 and went through an enlisted-to-officer program at Oregon State University. The family doesn’t want any other information released, Hughes said.
Sailor, Rest Your Oar...
Update 2236 23 May: Here are links to many more stories about LT Ammon, along with a picture of the fallen hero in Afghanistan:
