Crew

Our continuing mission: To trek across the 505 and 575; To explore new genres, timelines, and opportunities; To lend a hand in the community we call home; To look towards the past to find a better future.

About us

The USS White Sands is a chapter in Starfleet, the International Star Trek Fan Association Inc, Region 17, and is based in New Mexico. Our home port is primarily in the Albuquerque & Rio Rancho Metro with distance members throughout the state. While we come together under the flag of the United Federation of Planets, we have Whovians, 501’sters, Aliens, Transformers, Arcade Gamers, NASA, Mirror Universe, Sci-Fi and, of course, Star Trek fans.

Our crew is a diverse group of fans coming together to celebrate our fandom, to enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded people, to have fun in all things Star Trek/Sci-Fi and to give back to our community.

We hold monthly meetings, away missions, go to conventions and a host of different activities. If any of this sounds like what you might be interested in, come to a meeting or two, meet our crew and see if we are your ship! If you are not in the primary Albuquerque / Rio Rancho metro – that’s ok. Come to a meeting via Zoom, suggest an activity in your area and perhaps meet a shipmate close by.

Membership

Everyone is welcome to participate in ship activities, whether a member of STARFLEET (SFI) or not.  We do ask that if an individual decides to participate on a regular basis by attending more than half the ship’s activities in a 6-month period, that they to consider becoming a member of Starfleet at SFI.org and an official member of the USS White Sands. 

The USS White Sands does not currently have local membership dues, so all you need to become a member of the USS White Sands is to select the Join Us link and begin the process!

Commodore Laurie McFarland
Commanding Officer (CO); Region 17 Coordinator

Laurie was specifically sought out to be the first Captain of the USS White Sands. Her desire and willingness to guide the ship forward is represented in her ability to get things done, the time she has available for ship duties, and her passion for Starfleet. She has held many different positions from Ship’s Counselor (2005), XO, and CO to being the current Regional Coordinator for Region 17 (2022) (http://region17.org/regional-staff). She represents the USS White Sands and Region 17 in the very best ways.

Captain Bernard Dacey
Executive Officer (XO)

Bernard as XO for the USS White Sands backs up the CO in all our events. He's a great conversationalist, especially if talking Star Wars, models or Trek. His knowledge of STARFLEET comes from several different Chapters throughout SFI to which he has held a variety of positions since joining in 1983.

Lieutenant Jared Francis
Helm officer

Jared enjoys conversations with the crew members and happily drives the crew to events. He tells "dad jokes" and has his own unique sense of science humor. He's the CO's husband.

Brigadier General Mike "Eddie" Dethlefs
Chief Tactical Officer/Marine Officer in Charge, 898th SFMC Marine Strike Group

Mike always has a smile and a laugh. As a long-time actor, he knows drama and has agreed with the CO that the only drama aboard the USS White Sands will be in the plays they might be involved in.

Ensign Gene G
Chief Communications Officer

Gene joined STARFLEET in 2022 and has been busy coordinating the USS White Sands communications. His knowledge of websites has been instrumental in this website.

Lieutenant Commander Troy Stull
Chief Operations Officer

Troy is always on the lookout for away mission ideas. He has organized tables at conventions, trips to sites like the Trinity Site and Roswell UFO Fest. His experience comes from the USS Haven, USS Anasazi, Albuquerque Science Fiction Society Moderator. New Mexico Mensa Testing Director and Albuquerque’s Bubonicon.

Ensign Dee Spirock
Chief Engineer; Reserve, 898th SFMC Marine Strike Group

Dee joined Starfleet in 2010 and has been applying her graphic arts skills to the White Sands. As a new ship, prop development and ships resources are being built and the Chief Engineer keeps busy.

Lieutenant, Jr Grade Marsha Beighley
Chief Science Officer

Artist & creator of the USS White Sands Seal. Marsha is a devoted artist. She has taken on the position of Chief Science Officer and works diligently at organizing the USS White Sands’ charitable endeavors.

Ensign Christine Weidmann-Wilson
Chief Medical Officer

Joined Starfleet: 

Bio needed

Ensign Elene Gusch
Ship's Counselor

Elene joined Starfleet in 2022. She has taken to welcoming new members of the White Sands to the group as well as recruiting for the ship.

OPEN POSITION
Chief of the Boat

Duties: Helps wrangle the crew on away missions, helps maintain good order on the ship, POC for enlisted personnel issues.