Truman Leadership
CAPT Dave Snowden, Commanding Officer
Captain Dave Snowden graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace engineering. He earned a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy from National Defense University's Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy in 2016.
As an aviator, he served in sea duty assignments including junior officer tours with the "Scouts" of Sea Control Squadron (VS) 24 and the "Mighty Shrikes" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 94, department head with the "Kestrels" of VFA-137, and commander of VFA-25 "Fist of the Fleet". He completed multiple deployments aboard USS Enterprise (CVN 65), USS Nimitz (CVN 68), and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), flying combat missions over Iraq and Afghanistan. After completing of nuclear power training Captain Snowden served as the executive officer onboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). His most recent sea duty assignment was Commanding Officer of USS San Antonio (LPD 17).
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Snowden's shore duty assignments include instructor of pilot and department head at the "Rough Raiders" of VFA-125, Strike Fighter and Carrier Air Wing Placement Officer at Navy Personnel Command, executive officer with the VFA-122 "Flying Eagles", and as Joint Exercise Division Chief, Joint Staff J-7.
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CAPT Snowden's military awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (2 Awards), Strike/Flight Air Medal (2 Awards), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5 Awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various personal, unit, and service awards.
CAPT Tom Uhl, Executive Officer
Capt. Tom Uhl is a native of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and was later raised in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering and was designated a Naval Aviator in January 2004. He holds a Master of Business Administration from San Diego State University and is a graduated of Naval Nuclear Power School.
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Flying the SH-60B and later the MH-60R, Uhl's operational assignments began with the "Scorpions" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49 where he deployed in USS Ingraham (FFG 61) assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group three in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and counter-piracy operations; he also deployed in USS Princeton (CG 59) assigned to the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He joined the "Wolf Pack" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 for his department head tour, deploying with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and USS Princeton (CG 59) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Syria contingency operations in the Red Sea.
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He serviced as executive officer and then commanding officer of the "Saberhawks" of HSM-77 deploying throughout the Indo-Pacific with CVW-5 as part of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and Forward Deployed Naval Forces Japan. During his time at the command, HSM-77 earned the 2020 Battle 'E' Award, the 2020 Arnold J. Isbell Trophy, and was selected as a 2021 recipient of the Secretary of Defense Maintenance Award, earning distinction as the "best of the best" Phoenix Award winner.
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His shore assignments include Fleet Replacement Squadron flight instructor duty with "Seahawks" of HSM-41; helicopter junior officer assignments officer at Navy Personnel Command; and deputy executive assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and Commander, U.S. European Command (EUCOM) at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium.
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He reported aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) in December 2022.
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Capt. Uhl has flown more than 2,800 flight hours. He holds various individual, unit, and campaign awards including multiple Secretary of Defense Maintenance and Battle 'E' awards earned by squadron mates he is honored to have served alongside.
Command Master Chief Samira McBride
Command Master Chief (CMC) Samira McBride, a native of Chad, Africa, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September 1999. Following completion of basic training at Recruit Training Command (RTC), Great Lakes, Illinois, she attended Operations Specialist "A" School in Dam Neck, Virginia.
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Her initial tour of duty was on USS Fletcher (DD 992), Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where she served as Combat Information Center Track Supervisor and Harpoon Engagement Planner completing two Western Pacific deployments. In July 2003, she reported to USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), Norfolk. Virgina, where she served as an Anti-Submarine Tactical Air Controller and Arabic Linguist completing one deployment to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. In July 2005, she transferred to Assault Craft Unit Four (ACU-4) where she served as Operations Department Executive Assistant and French Linguist where she conducted intensive training for welldeck, Ramp Marshall and communications procedures aboard French Naval Vessel BPC Tennerre. In October 2008, McBride reported to USS Lassen (DDG 82), Yokosuka, Japan and served as Operations Intelligence (OI) Division Leading Petty Officer. She was selected as USS Lassen 2009 Senior Sailor of the Year.
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In April 2010, she was selected as Pacific Fleet Sea Sailor of the Year and was meritoriously promoted to Chief Petty Officer (CPO) and transferred to USS Boxer (LHD 4), San Diego, California and OI Division Leading Chief Petty Officer (LCPO) where she completed one Western Pacific Deployment. In February 2013, she transferred to RTC as a Recruit Division Commander. In May 2016, she reported to PCU Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), Norfolk, Virginia as Operations Department LCPO where she was selected to the Command Senior Chief (CSC) program and handpicked to serve as a U.S. Fleet Forces Command Fleet CPO Training Team Facilitator. In July 2018 she reported to USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) where she served as the CMC and was the recipient of the Delber Black Leadership Award 202. She served as CMC at Afloat Training Group, Norfolk. In February 2023 she reported to USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) where she is currently serving as the CMC.
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McBride is a graduate of the Senior Enlisted Academy Class 156 (BLUE), the CMC/Chief of the Boat/CSC Course Class 174 and Keystone and Executive Leadership Seminar (ELS). Her decorations include Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (six awards), Navy, Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards), a Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), and various service campaign medals.
