Sunday News

Cocalico grad commands USS Buffalo

Reamstown native Brian Tothero recently took command of the submarine USS Buffalo in a ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii.

Tothero, a 1991 Cocalico High School graduate, brings extensive experience to his assignment as commanding officer, a Navy press release noted. This is the fourth fast-attack submarine he has served aboard, with previous experience as a junior officer aboard USS Scranton, based in Norfolk, Va.; as engineer aboard USS Los Angeles, based in Pearl Harbor; and as executive officer aboard USS Houston, based in Apra Harbor, Guam.

During his three previous sea-going tours, he deployed five times, to the North Atlantic, Arabian Gulf and three times to the Western Pacific Ocean.

Tothero reported to Los Angeles-class submarine Buffalo having most recently served at the Pentagon as a maritime reconnaissance officer on the Joint Staff.

Tothero, who holds the naval rank of commander, took command of Buffalo on Feb. 1.

After high school, Tothero graduated from the Colorado School of Mines with a Bachelor of Science degree in geophysical engineering. He received his commission through the Nuclear Propulsion Officer Candidate program after completing Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Fla.

Tothero is the son of Barry and Gail Tothero, of Reamstown.n