Virginia class submarine USS Texas, commanded by a former resident, recently completed a historic exercise in the arctic region when it became the first vessel of its class not only to operate in the region, but also to surface through the ice while in transit to its home port of Pearl Harbor.

"Words cannot describe how impressed I am with my crew's performance and professionalism," said Cmdr. Robert Roncska, former Dunkirk resident and Commanding Officer of USS Texas. "The ship performed extremely well in the cold, under-ice environment and I am honored to carry on the tradition of arctic operations by our awesome submarine force."

Though the submarine force has continually operated in the dangerous region successfully for over 50 years, this occasion marked the first such venture by one the Navy's newest assets. "Once surfaced, the ship moored safely to the ice for over 24 hours," said Ens. James Robinson, Supply Officer of USS Texas. "Activities on the ice included a very special re-enlistment ceremony for 12 crew members and a pinning ceremony in which one crew member received his submarine warfare qualification dolphins, as well as some down time to play touch football in the five degree weather."

Virginia-class submarines are some of the most advanced machines in the world today. Initially announced in late 1998, these state-of-the-art vessels provide multiple-mission capabilities that allow Sailors to successfully operate in the littorals as well as deep open oceans.

The impending arrival of Texas to Pearl Harbor later this year will mark the second of the Virginia class subs to be stationed in the Pacific, following the historic arrival of USS Hawaii in July. The recent submarine arrivals and other submarine homeport shifts are in keeping the Navy's force relocation plan, which ensures that 60 percent of the submarine force be stationed where it is most effective: the Pacific.

By the end of 2009, 31 of the U.S. Navy's 53 fast attack submarines will be home ported in the Pacific, with 18 of those 31 home ported in Pearl Harbor.

Commander Roncska is married to the former Stephanie Vinciguerra of Fredonia.