Tuesday, October 16, 2018
The Daily Internal Information Source for the U.S. Navy Submarine Force
To subscribe toUndersea Enterprise News DailyCLICKHERE
CLICKHEREto become a fan of Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic on Facebook.
This Day in History:
1946 - USS PIRANHA (SS-389) decommissioned at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA; laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, Mare Island Group.
World War II SUBVETS Memorial Service Held
By MC2 Peter Taylor, Submarine Learning Facility Public Affairs, May 26, 2011
Frank Cable Holds Steel Beach Picnic
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Jeremy Starr, USS Frank Cable Public Affairs, May 29 2011
Studying Hard in School Opens Doors, Stresses Astronaut
By Lt. Jennifer Cragg, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs Officer, May 27, 2011
Kings Bay Senior Leadership Signs Summer Safety Proclamation
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class(SW) James Kimber, May 27, 2011
Philadelphia Welcomes Navy Medicine During Philadelphia Navy Week 2011
By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Steve Johnson, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs, May 27, 2011
Anchors Aweigh For Class Of 2011
NavalAcademy launches 1,006 new grads into the world
By Earl Kelly and Pamela Wood, Hometown Annapolis, May 28, 2011
Hearts Go Out To The Fallen
By Joey Cresta, Seacoastonline, May 31, 2011
Memorial Day: Honoring The Past — And Ongoing —Sacrifice Of Those On The Front Lines
By Josh Farley, Kitsap Sun, May 31, 2011
Alaska Exhibit Honors Crew Of Doomed WWII Submarine
By Mike Dunham / Anchorage Daily News Fairbanks Daily News Miner, May 30, 2011
Widows, Friends, Colleagues Remember Submariners In Seal Beach
By Greg Mellen, Contra Costa Times, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day At The Sub Base
By Tina Detelj, WTNH.com, May 30, 2011
New Memorial Going Up To Honor Submarine Service
PostStar.com May 28, 2011
USS Albany Crew To Lead Memorial Day Activities In Capital Region
By Terry Brown Special to the Times Union, May 28, 2011
Other Submarine News Around the World
Russian Sub Joins NATO Exercise For First Time
RIA Novosti, May 31, 2011
Taiwan Subs Plan Tests The Waters
By Jens Kastner, Asia Times, May 31, 2011
Spain Hosts Submarine RescueDrill
RIA Novosti, May 30, 2011
Navy Dives In On Submarine Spares
Defence Web, May 30, 2011
Russia Snubs India
Moscow cancels two military exercises with India
India Times, May 30, 2011
Taiwan Budgets $860 Million For Torpedoes
UPI.com, 26 May 2011
World War II SUBVETS Memorial Service Held
By MC2 Peter Taylor, Submarine Learning Facility Public Affairs, May 26, 2011
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
NORFOLK, Va. – The annual Submarine Veterans of World War II Memorial Service was conducted today at the Submarine Learning Facility (SUBLRNFAC), Naval Station Norfolk. Hosted by SUBLRNFAC, the event is held each year prior to Memorial Day.
The service honored the 52 submarines and the gallant Sailors lost during World War II, and the losses of the USS Thresher (SSN 593), April 10, 1963, and the USS Scorpion (SSN 589), May 22, 1968.
Cmdr. Albert Onley, SUBLRNFAC commanding officer, welcomed the more than 100 veterans, active duty Sailors, spouses, and visitors.
“The veterans here today and their families have personified the fighting spirit of the Navy and our core values of honor, courage and commitment,” said Onley. “You have shared your stories to help us, the submariners, who follow in your footsteps to understand the sacrifices required to defend freedom and democracy and to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We cannot thank you enough for your service and continued contribution to our nation.”
The guest speaker was Vice Adm. John M. Richardson, Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic.
“It’s just so terrific to be involved with the submarine veterans in so many ways,” said Richardson. “The examples you provided on active duty are the examples we continue everyday to live up to. The examples you continue to serve as the nation gets ready to mark Memorial Day remind us that this day has a higher meaning and it is completely appropriate to come together today and remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.”
Following the ceremony, USS Halibut (SSGN/SSN 587) became the 14th submarine to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Selection is merited by the submarine’s contribution to national security, and selection is conducted by the Hampton Roads Chapter of the U.S. Submarine Veterans organization.
Halibut was commissioned January 4, 1960, and had the distinction of being the first submarine in the world designed and built from the keel up to launch guided missiles, and could carry five Regulus II missiles in a hangar integral with the hull. The ship was also the first submarine to carry the Ships Inertial Navigation System (SINS).
“She was commissioned in what I call a ‘magic’ period of time. The United States was bursting with creativity and we were confronting a tremendous threat from the Soviet Union when the Cold War really was just taking shape,” said Richardson. “She too inherited from those submariners who went before her. She sunk her teeth in the cold war, very deeply, in ways that we can only speculate. She took a tremendous toll on the enemy in the special way that the Cold War was fought. Halibut is the pivot point to describe that continuing honor we have to honor the submarine force and the work they did in the wars.”
In February 1965, Halibut entered Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard for a major overhaul, and on August 15 was re-designated SSN 587. The ship was decommissioned on June 30, 1976. She completed 1,232 dives and 32 Regulus missile test launches.
Distinguished visitors included Vice Adm. John M. Richardson, Commander, Submarine Forces, and Cmdr. Gary T. Smith, USN (Ret.), a former engineer and navigator on the Halibut.
Back to Top
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
FrankCableHoldsSteelBeach Picnic
By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Jeremy Starr, USS Frank Cable Public Affairs, May 29 2011
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
PACIFICOCEAN (NNS) -- Sailors and civilian mariners (CIVMARS) on board the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) took a break from their daily operations to enjoy a "steel beach" picnic on the flight deck to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, May 28th.
Festivities were held on the flight deck. Crew members participated in watermelon and pie eating contests, musical chairs, board games and card games as well as a cake cutting ceremony.
The Diversity Committee held the cake cutting ceremony on the mess decks with a speech from Frank Cable's Commanding Officer, Capt. Tom Stanley, to commemorate Asian Pacific Islander Sailors and civilians that have served with the Navy.
"It is great to celebrate Asian Pacific Islander service members and civilians here on the Cable at sea," said Stanley. "This event also gives Frank Cable Sailors and civilians the opportunity to socialize with one another during the holiday weekend."
Also participating in the ceremony was the head of the Diversity Committee Chief Machinist's Mate (SW/AW) Lateef Alaka.
"It is a beautiful thing to see Asian Pacific Islanders being singled out and celebrated aboard the ship." He added, "It shows all the hard work that Asian Pacific Islanders have accomplished and contributed to the Navy."
Several departments and associations worked hard to come together and make the event a success. The Diversity Committee, Chief's and First Class Messes, Second Class Petty Officer and Junior Enlisted Associations all helped coordinate and facilitate the event.
Electronics Technician 1st Class (SW) Theresa Lathan, the winner of the musical chairs competition, said, "It is awesome to see all the messes and associations come together and work as a team to meet our common goal, boosting the morale of the crew."
Frank Cable's Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD) conducted a meet and greet during the event providing information and answering questions about the program.
"We provided each Sailor with a handout during the steel beach picnic," said Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class (SW/AW) Jennia Lawson. "The handouts brought awareness to CSADD as well as promoting our topic for the command next month, driving safe."
CIVMARS roasted a pig and made Beijing sweet and sour pork, Hafa Adai Chicken Kilaguen and other Asian dishes for the picnic.
Master Chief Engineman (SW/AW) Manuel Depina said, "These events are great for the first time Sailors who never experienced a steel beach picnic before." He added, "For us old timers, we have seen plenty of these events in the past, I just enjoy watching the younger Sailors have fun."
"I enjoyed today's steel beach picnic on the flight deck," said Engineman Fireman Ka Cheng. "Not many people have the experience of a picnic on a naval warship at sea."
Backto Top
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Studying Hard in School Opens Doors, Stresses Astronaut
By Lt. Jennifer Cragg, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs Officer, May 27, 2011
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- More than 1,100 students and teachers from 12 area high schools were treated to a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at RobertE.FitchHigh School to learn from a former submariner and veteran of three NASA space shuttle flights, May 26.
Capt. Stephen G. Bowen, NASA astronaut, a native of Cohasset, Mass., stressed the importance of education, particularly in science and math, which help to expand the number of career choices, especially in his own life during the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) event.
"A lesson learned for me was if you study hard in school and do well in a lot of classes, you have more choices," said Bowen. "There are many other places I could have gone, but I chose to go to the U.S. Naval Academy. By the time I got out of the NavalAcademy … I chose to go into submarine force."
Bowen graduated from CohassetHigh School, Cohasset, Mass. He earned a degree in electrical engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and a degree in ocean engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In July 2000, he was selected to be a mission specialist for the Space Shuttle Program, becoming the first submarine officer selected by NASA.
"He is unique. He is the only submariner to be accepted for the astronaut career track," said retired Navy Cmdr. Tony Quatroche, a former New London Submarine Base and SubmarineSchool executive officer, who currently teaches math at RobertE.FitchHigh School.
Capt. Paul Kelleher, commanding officer, Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory along with Eastern Connecticut Workforce Investment Board and EASTCONN helped to arrange Bowen's visit. Also attending the STEM event was fellow U.S. Navy Academy classmate, Capt. William Merz, commanding officer, COMSUBDEVRON Twelve.
Bowen reflected on working in the "world's greatest job," and his thoughts on being chosen for the astronaut program.
"You feel very lucky to be chosen," said Bowen. "Of those that apply and qualify only about .8 percent gets selected," said Bowen.
During his visit Bowen discussed both his career track in the submarine force and the astronaut program, stressing the importance of the teamwork aspect of flying in space.
"STS-132 was the first mission in over a decade where every single crew member had flown in space previously," said Bowen. "Based on that, we chose to emphasize the team effort required while in space."
The Eastern Connecticut high schools participating included: RobertE.FitchHigh School, BaconAcademy, EastLymeHigh School, EllisTechnicalHigh School, LedyardHigh School, Lyme-OldLymeHigh School, NorwichFreeAcademy, OldSaybrookHigh School, StoningtonHigh School, WindhamHigh School, WoodstockAcademy, and ValleyRegionalHigh School.
Back toTop
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
KingsBay Senior Leadership Signs Summer Safety Proclamation
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class(SW) James Kimber, May 27, 2011
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
KINGS BAY, Ga. (NNS) -- Twenty-three Kings Bay command master chiefs, chiefs of the boat, the local command sergeant major and senior enlisted advisors signed a 101 Critical Days of Summer Proclamation, May 26.
"There's several different programs out there that are presented with the same fundamental message," said Command Master Chief (SS) Randy Huckaba, Submarine Group 10 command master chief. "This proclamation is a summary of our commitment in writing and our acknowledgement by signature to our crews and service members of KingsBay that we care and that we stand behind them."
"We wanted to put word out of our vision for summer safety in KingsBay," said Master Chief Electronics Technician (SS) Mike McLauchlan, Trident Training Facility command master chief and the proclamation's writer. "[The senior leadership] cares about our Sailors and crew. We want everyone to have fun, but remain safe."
The senior enlisted leadership here based this proclamation off of elements from already established safety and awareness programs, and incorporated them into one combined statement. Some of the strongest bullet points that most directly speak to the KingsBay community were used from Navy programs the leadership team believed to have excellent messages.
"From the Right Spirit campaign to the Naval Safety Center's 'Live to Play, Play to Live' program, to the Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions' Stop and Think effort, all of these programs' goals are to keep Sailors and their families safe while still having a good time," said Chief Machinist's Mate (SS) Michael Adams, Submarine Group 10 Alcohol and Drug Control officer. "[The Travel Risk Planning System, or TRiPS] is another great program that boasts an impressive success rate. If a Sailor takes the time to type in some data into the program, TRiPS will provide some great information to help the Sailor and his family plan a safer trip. It's a self-assessment program that helps Sailors make smart decisions about driving long distances."
According to the NavalSafetyCenter website, 14 Sailors and 14 Marines worldwide lost their lives last summer, some of which could have been prevented. Additionally, the Coast Guard reported six Coast Guardsmen died or faced permanent disabilities from summer-related incidents last year. The goal of the proclamation is to prevent these incidents from ever happening so that no command, or more importantly no family, has to endure any loss of life, injury or incident that takes time away from either home or work.
One of the reasons for summer month incidents is alcohol. As of May 20, the numbers for driving under the influence (DUI) in KingsBay are trending the wrong way. After a successful, across-the-board drop in DUIs last fiscal year, fiscal year 2011 has already seen almost three-quarters of the DUIs that fiscal year 2010 did.
"I think it's important that the message is put in writing," said Yeoman 1st Class(SS) Owen Fitzgerald, USS Georgia (SSGN 729)(Blue) leading yeoman. "It gives us leading petty officers a basis to go off of when we're talking to our guys and ensures that all necessary topics are covered. Whenever you're talking to the junior Sailors, this will open up a variety of topics that may not normally be covered with your Sailors. I am confident this will give me a more directed guidance to help me make my Sailors more aware of summer safety."
"The most important message we want to get to the Sailors, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, everyone here, is to have a plan to get back home and back to work in one piece," said McLauchlan. "There's a lot fun to do in this part of the country during the summer, and we want everyone to enjoy those activities for many years to come."
Submarine Group 10 is commanded by Rear Adm. Barry Bruner and is the Nation's preeminent provider of sea-based strategic deterrence, strike and unique Ohio-class guided missile submarine special operations capabilities.
Back to Top
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
Philadelphia Welcomes Navy Medicine During Philadelphia Navy Week 2011
By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Steve Johnson, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs, May 27, 2011
Tuesday, October 16, 2018
PHILADELPHIA (NNS) -- Navy Medicine leadership met with local health care providers, medical researchers, fire fighters, civic and educational groups, and a professional football team medical staff to share medical initiatives as part of Philadelphia Navy Week 2011, May 20-29.
Rear Adm. Thomas E. Beeman, deputy commander for the National Intrepid Center of Excellence, served as the senior medical officer representing Navy Medicine during Philadelphia Navy Week.
"We are here to thank the citizens of Philadelphia for the great job they are doing supporting the men and women of our armed forces," said Beeman. "Our Navy is proud to serve the American people, and we pledge that Navy Medicine will always care deeply for their sons and daughters who serve, and likewise pledge good stewardship for the resources they give us."
Beeman made a series of local presentations during Philadelphia Navy Week 2011, to showcase the successes achieved and the challenges facing Navy Medicine. He shared Navy Medicine's critical role in the maritime strategy and its initiative to build strong inter-agency and community relationships while defending the United States.
"We are proud to have the opportunity to develop relationships with the NFL, the VA (Veterans Administration), and BrynMawrRehabilitationHospital, and the Philadelphia Fire Department," said Beeman. "If we … create more of an awareness of traumatic brain injury (TBI) through those partnerships, we will have a greater ability to provide better TBI care to our Sailors, players, and adolescents."
Beeman also met with emergency medical and rescue staff at the Philadelphia Fire Department to discuss trauma care, lifesaving techniques and procedures currently used by Navy medical personnel on the battlefield in Afghanistan.