USS Oklahoma (SSN 802) Leadership Visits NSU

On April 16, 2025, Northeastern State University (NSU) in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, hosted a distinguished delegation from the U.S. Navy’s Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) USS Oklahoma (SSN 802). The group included Commander Aaron M. Stutzman, Commanding Officer; Master Chief Machinist’s Mate (Nuclear) Jonathan Ashton, Engineering Department Master Chief; and the Assistant Engineering Officer Lieutenant Trystan Irmiere. Accompanying the crew members was Mr. Rocky Goins, Chair of the USS Oklahoma Commissioning Committee.

During their visit, the delegation called on NSU President Dr. Rodney Hanley, Provost Dr. Carla Swearingen, and Dr. Janet Buzzard, Dean of the College of Business and Technology, to talk about the submarine and its crew. Following this meeting, these Navy leaders delivered a very informative presentation to NSU faculty and staff, highlighting the advanced capabilities and multi-mission roles of the Virginia-class submarine USS Oklahoma (SSN 802). This engagement fostered a deeper understanding of the submarine’s strategic importance, the crew’s professionalism, and the Navy’s commitment to honoring the legacy of the submarine’s namesake, the World War II era battleship USS Oklahoma.

The USS Oklahoma (SSN 802) holds profound significance as the first U.S. Navy vessel named after the state since the battleship USS Oklahoma (BB-37), which suffered catastrophic damage during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, resulting in the loss of 429 sailors. The new submarine embodies a tribute to those who served aboard BB-37 and represents a continuation of the state’s naval heritage. The visit to NSU not only honored this legacy but also strengthened the bond between the Navy and the Oklahoma community, inspiring future collaborations and a shared commitment to service and remembrance.