ELLENSBURG — The U.S. Submarine Veterans of Central and Eastern Washington have selected John R. Dominguez of East Wenatchee to be their new Commanding Officer.

Dominguez served aboard the Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) Submarines USS George Washington Carver and USS Alabama as an Electronics Technician. He also served as an Instructor at the Trident Training Facility (TTF) at Naval Submarine Base in Bangor before leaving the service in 1990.

Dominguez, who served 12 years, is the Senior Systems Engineer for Eagle Group & LifeLine Ambulance in East Wenatchee.

Dominguez grew up in White Swan. He attended Elementary, Junior High and High School in White Swan, graduating in 1978.

Dominguez attended Polaris Electronics Technician “A” and “C” Schools at the Naval Guided Missile School in Dam Neck (Virginia Beach), Virginia, followed by Submarine School in New London, Connecticut.

Dominguez made a total of 15 strategic deterrent patrols. Each strategic deterrent patrol is normally 90 or more days in length, totally submerged and on station in a secret location.

“Our subs can insert SEAL teams into hostile target areas, destroy enemy subs and surface ships, perform reconnaissance and rescue missions, and do important research,” Dominguez said. “Their greatest advantage is in their stealth – a potential enemy never knows where we might be.”

Dominguez relieves Rob Jacobsen of Yakima as the group’s Commander. Jacobsen served with distinction for three years; the normal term of office is two years.

Other Officers of the organization include Mark Delagasse of Selah, Vice Commander; Joel “Doc” Cooper, Yakima, Secretary; Les Sutton, Yakima, Treasurer and Chaplain; and Fred West of Toppenish, Chief of the Boat.