GROTON, Conn. — A Minnesota native has taken command of a Connecticut-based submarine named for his home state.
Navy Cmdr. Brian Tanaka, who grew up in Rochester, accepted command of USS Minnesota at a ceremony Friday at Naval Submarine Base New London.
Tanaka served as a Navy liaison to the U.S. House of Representatives before taking the assignment he called an opportunity of a lifetime.
The crew had been led since 2010 by Capt. John Fancher, who was in command for the end of the submarine's construction and its commissioning last September.
Tanaka joined the Navy in 1996 after graduating from Marquette University in Milwaukee with a degree in biochemistry.
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More from Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
More From Star Tribune
Election
In heated western Minn. GOP congressional primary, outsiders challenging incumbent
U.S. Rep. Michelle Fischbach has a solidly conservative voting record. But Steve Boyd, a Christian conservative who has never held public office, is gaining traction as an outsider.
Sports
Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame: A class-by-class list of all members
Who's in the Star Tribune Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame? From Bernie Bierman to the latest class, here's the list:
Sports
This retired journalist changed professional wrestling from Mankato
Norm Kietzer was a pioneer in professional wrestling journalism for 40 years.
High Schools
All-Metro Sports Awards: Here are the 2023 winners
The Star Tribune recognized the best of metro area high school athletes with its sixth annual All-Metro Sports Awards. Here are the 2023 winners, who were honored Wednesday night at Target Center.