Commanding Officer, North Carolina Piedmont Consortium
Captain Doug Wright, a native of Peoria County, Illinois, graduated from the University of Illinois in January 1985 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Metallurgical Engineering and received his commission via the Naval ROTC Program. After completing initial training he reported to USS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (SSBN 640) in Charleston, SC where he served as Reactor Controls Assistant, Damage Control Assistant, and Sonar Officer during a refueling overhaul and subsequent post-overhaul deterrent patrol on the BLUE crew. He also conducted two deterrent patrols out of Holy Loch, Scotland aboard USS HENRY CLAY (BLUE) (SSBN 625) during this tour.
In 1989, Captain Wright returned to the University of Illinois as an NROTC Naval Science Instructor, earning a Master's Degree in Nuclear Engineering. After graduating from the Submarine Officer Advanced Course, he reported to USS BERGALL (SSN 667) in Norfolk, VA. He served as Engineer Officer from July 1992 to June 1996 and completed Northern Atlantic and Mediterranean deployments prior to decommissioning the ship in Bremerton, WA. He then reported to Submarine Squadron Eleven in San Diego, CA where he served as Squadron Engineer until August 1998.
Captain Wright subsequently served as Executive Officer of USS ASHEVILLE (SSN 758) until May 2000, completing a Western Pacific/Persian Gulf deployment with the USS STENNIS Battle Group. Following this tour, he reported to US Strategic Command in Omaha, NE where he served as Executive Assistant to the Director of Operations and Logistics and the Director of Plans and Policy.
Captain Wright assumed command of USS HELENA (SSN 725) in Guam while deployed to the Western Pacific in December 2003. USS HELENA also conducted another Western Pacific Deployment and numerous strike group exercises out of her homeport of San Diego and was awarded two Meritorious Unit Commendations during his tour. His first post-command assignment was as Deputy Executive Assistant to the Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, serving there from July 2006 through July 2007. He is a Distinguished Graduate of the National War College class of 2008, earning a Master of Science in National Security Strategy. Captain Wright most recently served as Commodore of Submarine Squadron FIFTEEN in Guam, consisting of USS FRANK CABLE (AS 40), USS CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI (SSN 705), USS HOUSTON (SSN 713) and USS BUFFALO (SSN 715), from July 2008 to July 2010.
