Submariners dive into experiencing Fargo

FARGO - Two crew members of the USS North Dakota have surfaced in Fargo.

Ensign Dennen Miner and Machinists Mate Auxiliary 2nd Class Robin Anderson are the latest members of the nuclear-powered attack submarine's crew to make a "namesake trip" to the state to foster better relations and meet people.

They're diving into a whirlwind tour of the Fargo area.

"I'm just excited to be able to see various aspects of the state itself. I've never been to North Dakota," Anderson said Tuesday, July 12. "It's beautiful here."

Miner looks forward to seeing the home of the North Dakota State University Bison football team.

"I'm a big football guy. So having watched NDSU really dominate football for the past couple years, It's really exciting for me to see the football center and the college itself," Miner said.

Miner has also been charmed by the green of the Red River Valley.

"I was impressed flying low over the farmlands," he said. "You just look out. They really do mean strength from the soil when you look at North Dakota. It's absolutely amazing."

Tuesday consisted of stops at various media outlets, closing the day out by throwing out the first pitch at a RedHawks baseball game.

Wednesday, July 13, will includes trips to farms and NDSU's agricultural research departments, and a trip to the Microsoft campus to see one of the city's technology centers.

Anderson reported to the USS North Dakota in November 2012 when it was half assembled. He is an auxiliary mechanic and deals with all systems outside of the nuclear propulsion system.

His division is responsible for more than 7,000 pieces of equipment "and we are expected to be the systems experts," Anderson said. "We are system experts in seawater systems, high-pressure and low-pressure air systems, hydraulics, plumbing potable water, diesel engine, atmosphere purification and oxygen generation."

Miner came aboard in November 2015. He's the second supply officer for the ship. He's responsible for food, fuel, spare parts and all the other items that are needed to keep the crew and vessel operating efficiently.

Anderson is originally from the Denver area. In his 20s, he attended several colleges and tried starting a music career in Nashville, Tenn., worked as a sheriff's deputy, and later became an emergency medical technician. He joined the Navy in April 2012.

Minor grew up in Norfolk, Va., the son of a Navy submariner.

He earned a bachelor's degree in business and a law degree from the College of William and Mary School of Law in Williamsburg, Va., then spent time as a prosecutor, before deciding that law was not the life for him.

1/5: Sailors eat a meal in the crew's mess of the nuclear attack submarine USS North Dakota. (Undated photo courtesy of U.S. Navy.)

2/5: USS North Dakota sonar technicians listen for contacts of other vessels while at sea. (Photo supplied by the U.S. Navy)

3/5: The USS North Dakota's pilot and co-pilot steer the nuclear-powered attack submarine while it's underway. (Undated photo supplied by the U.S. Navy)

4/5: The officer of the deck and a lookout pilot the attack submarine USS North Dakota while it is on the surface. (Undated photo supplied by the U.S. Navy)

5/5: Tightly packed bunks line a corridor that's part of the living space for junior sailors aboard the nuclear-powered attack submarine USS North Dakota. (Undated photo supplied by the U.S. Navy)