Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Observations all along the line - Kimball & the Southern Panhandle First
Commander Ann McAnn is the grandaughter of Kimball resident, Rita Maginnis, who raised her son in town till he left the area to attend college.
The granddaughter of Kimball resident Rita Maginnis, Commander Ann McAnn, received her first command in the United States Navy, as the commanding officer of the missile destroyer USS Russell, currently based out of San Diego, California.
“I was very excited… but also very humbled,” said McAnn of her reaction upon hearing the news. “To hold the lives and careers of the 270 sailors… it’s humbling.”
McAnn’s father was also in the Navy, as a pilot during the late 1970s, and he went on to serve in the reserves till his retirement some years later. Growing up around the military lifestyle had a large role in shaping the person she has become.
“I was always around the military,” said McAnn. “Serving in the Navy allowed me to serve my country and give back.”
McAnn graduated the United States Naval Academy in 1996, and also attended Naval War College, where she graduated from the Naval Command and Staff Program in 2007.
Following her graduation from the Naval Academy, she McAnn was designated as a Surface Warfare Officer and assigned to the USS Hayler. She has also served onboard the USS Ashland as Navigator and Administrative Officer, Operations Officer onboard the USS Porter and Operations Officer for Commander, Destroyer Squadron FIFTY.
Additionally, she was responsible for the schedule and operations of fifteen ships that played an integral part in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Eduring Freedom in the Middle East.
“The Navy plays a big role in the world. We are able to have a presence across the world in times of peace, developing and helping partner nations,” said McAnn of the growing role U.S. armed forces play across the globe. “That said, we’re trained to operate across the entire spectrum.”
During her time in the armed forces, McAnn has received the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, as well as other personal and campaign awards.
The USS Russell is an Arleigh-Burke class missile destroyer that was often at port in Pearl Harbor, HI. The Russell recently completed a hull swap with the USS Halsey, thus changing its port to San Diego, CA. The USS Russell has seen service throughout the Pacific over the past 20 years, including the resucing of several disabled vessels.