ARCTIC CIRCLE - A 2003 Brantley County High School graduate and Waynesville, Georgia, native recently participated in a unique Navy mission at the top of the world aboard one of the world’s most advanced nuclear-powered fast attack submarines, USS Hartford (SSN 768).
Navy Chief Petty Officer Justin C. Whalen is a fire control technician serving aboard one of 40 Los Angeles-class submarines in the U.S. Navy. Hartford is one of two U.S. submarines that participated in the Navy’s biennial Ice Exercise (ICEX) above the Arctic Circle. The ICEX is designed to give submarines and opportunity to train and maintain readiness in the unique, ice-covers waters of the Arctic Ocean.
As a fire control technician, Whalen is a combat systems specialist who trains teams of young adults to mathematically calculate the position, course, and speed of a target. He is also responsible for launching the submarines’ torpedoes and cruise missiles.
When asked about his favorite part of his job, Whalen said, “The stuff you can’t always talk about. You take the submarine to the limits of what it can do and sometimes beyond.”
The Hartford Sailors who participated in ICEX transited 7,000 miles through icebergs and frigid water to reach the exercise location in the Beaufort Sea. Navigating Arctic waters is no easy feat because of constant salinity and cold water changes and the ice above makes surfacing a complicated task.
During the five-week ICEX, participants conducted multiple Arctic transits, surfaced near the North Pole, collected scientific data and learned from multiple training evolutions. The Sailors practiced key skills and tested new Navy technology, tactics and procedures (TTPs) that will ensure that not only Hartford can operate in the Arctic, but that other submarines and TTP developers in the force learn from their experience and feedback.
During the exercise, Whalen will provide leadership and training to junior sailors and officers, ensuring that the team is ready to carry out the diverse set of missions submarines are tasked with.
Hartford, with a crew of 142 Sailors, is 360-feet long and weighs approximately 6,900 tons. A nuclear-powered propulsion system helps push the submarine through the water at nearly 30 mph.
Attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; carry out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare.
Whalen’s proudest accomplishment on deployment was making it through some personal fears and making sure that when he leaves and gets replaced, the men will still be successful.
Submariners are some of the most highly-trained and skilled people in the Navy. The training is highly-technical and each crew has to be able to operate, maintain, and repair every system or piece of equipment on board. Regardless of their specialty, everyone also has to learn how everything on the ship works and how to respond in emergencies to become “qualified in submarines” and earn the right to wear the coveted gold or silver dolphins on their uniform.
Whalen has military ties with family members who previously served and is honored to carry on the family tradition.
"I’ve have two uncles that were on submarines,” he said. "One was a sonarman and the other was a submarine Captain.”
When asked why he joined the military, Whalen said he wanted to serve his country, protect his family, be part of something bigger, travel the world, and learn a cool trade.
“Being on a fast attack submarine is one of the toughest jobs you will ever do,” he said. “We demand excellence and often that is difficult to achieve without sacrifice. This is my second time in three years participating in ICEX and traveling to the North Pole. I wouldn’t be as successful as I am without the constant support of my beautiful wife, Katy, and two wonderful children, Abigail and Caleb. They are always there for me and somehow always keep a positive outlook even when things get tough.”
Whalen’s hobbies include boating, hiking, hunting, and fishing.
“I do anything that lets me spend quality time with my family,” he said. “In this line of work, you don’t always get the luxury of being with your family for the important milestones.”