Commanding Officer:
Captain Bill Hanson, II, USN
Captain Hanson is a native of Warren, Pennsylvania. In 1978 Captain Hanson graduated from Pennsylvania State University, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Nuclear Engineering and a NROTC commission as an Ensign. In 1979, he served as Assistant Weapons Officer for four patrols onboard USS NATHAN HALE (SSBN 623). In 1981, he served as thee Assistant Officer in Charge of DSV Turtle (DSV 3). In 1983 he completed one patrol onboard USS DANIEL WEBSTER (SSBN 626). In 1984, he reported as Strategic Weapons Officer and completed six patrols onboard USS MICHIGAN (SSBN 727).
In 1987, Captain Hanson was accepted in the Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program. After completing nuclear power training, he reported onboard USS HENRY M. JACKSON (SSBN 730), where he completed two patrols. In 1990, he reported as Executive Officer onboard USS MINNEAPOLIS-SAINT PAUL (SSN 708). During this tour, he completed a Mediterranean Deployment during Operations DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM and a Depot Modernization Period at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, New Hampshire.
Captain Hanson attended Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island, graduating in 1993 with a Master of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies. Following Joint Service Officer training at the Joint Forces Staff College, he was the Executive Assistant for Strategic Targeting Policy at the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.
In 1996, Captain Hanson reported as Commanding Officer onboard USS MICHIGAN (BLUE) (SSBN 727), where he completed five patrols. During his command tour, his crew was awarded the 1997 CINCPACFLT Golden Anchor Award, the 1998 COMSUBRON SEVENTEEN Battle Efficiency “E” Award and the 1998 USSTRATCOM Omaha Trophy.
In 1999, Captain Hanson reported as the NATO Chief of Staff for Submarines East Atlantic/Submarines Allied Forces North and as the COMSUBLANT Representative at Northwood, United Kingdom. His following tours in New London, Connecticut, included: Commanding Officer, Naval Submarine School from September 2001 through July 2003; Submarine Group TWO Chief of Staff from August 2003 to August 2005; and Naval Region North East Chief of Staff in September 2005.
Captain Hanson served as the Iraqi Joint Headquarters Transition Team Chief of Staff, Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, Baghdad, Iraq, in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM from October 2005 to May 2006.
Captain Hanson’s personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit Medal (four awards), the Bronze Star Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal (four awards) and the Navy Achievement Medal (two awards).