Submarine Centennial
Update!

Centennial Jack Approved! SECNAVINST 10520.5 of 3 June 1999 authorizes submarines and submarines tenders to fly a special Submarine Centennial Jack throughout CY 2000. This marks the first occasion since 1776 that a class of ships has been so honored.

Events. Centennial events are scheduled nationwide from the Rose Bowl Parade on 1 January to a memorial service on 7 December 2000. Planned flagship events are:

Regional and local events are scheduled around the flagship events. Submarines are encouraged to plan events with their namesake committees during the Centennial year.

National Commemorative Committee (NCC). The Naval Submarine League, in company with the Submarine Veterans of World War II and Submarine Veterans Incorporated, organized the NCC to assist the Navy in planning and organizing the centennial. The NCC manages major Centennial projects and has an active fundraising drive underway raising necessary funds to support key centennial projects.

Smithsonian Exhibit. Design work is nearly 60% complete on a 3500 sq. ft. exhibit focused on Cold War submarines and submarine operations. The exhibit, titled Fast Attacks and Boomers: Submarines in the Cold War, will open April 12, 2000 in the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in Washington D.C.

Navy Memorial. The Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. plans an exhibit on submarine heroes. Additionally, a stained glass and bronze window commemorating lost submariners is being commissioned for addition to the memorial.

Questions - Please contact either CDR Mike Poirier, N87C1 (Submarine Force Centennial Coordinator) 703-697-1565 / email: poirier.michael@hq.navy.mil or CDR James Taylor, N87P (Submarine Force Centennial Liaison Officer) 703-604-7828 / email: poirier.michael@hq.navy.mil or CDR James Taylor, N87P (Submarine Force Centennial Liaison Officer) 703-604-7828/email: taylor.jamesc@hq.navy.mil

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Only USS Kamehameha (SSN-642) survives today as the last of the U.S. Navy's 41 first-generation fleet ballistic missile (FBM) submarines, and in a few short years, she will also be decommissioned and bring to a glorious close the legacy of the "Forty-One for Freedom." The first generation of SSBNs included five George Washington (SSBN-598)-class, five Ethan Allen (SSBN-608)-class, and thirty-one Lafayette (SSBN-616)-class ships. Following the first patrol in November 1960 by USS George Washington (SSBN-598), they operated around the clock for 34 years without the loss of a single life to hostile action, and without firing a shot in anger. Yet while completing over 2,500 strategic deterrent patrols, they secured peace and prosperity amid the imminent threat of global thermonuclear war.

Today the Pacific Northwest Submarine Heritage Association, an umbrella group of submarine veterans and active duty Sailors, seeks to honor the service of the Forty One for Freedom in creating Deterrent Park at the Navy Submarine Base Bangor, Washington. Formed in 1997, the Association procured the sail and rudder of the ex-USS Woodrow Wilson (SSBN-624), as the centerpiece of the new facility in the Submarine Group Nine "campus area." Deterrent Park will feature a full-length representation of an FBM submarine. The topside deck area will be built from dark gray reinforced concrete, with 6000 commemorative bricks set into the missile deck area. This will also provide an appropriate venue for hosting a variety of ceremonies such as commemorations, reenlistments, or retirements. Already on May 28th of this year, the first public ceremony ever held at Bangor to commemorate U.S. submarines on "eternal patrol" was conducted at the site, with over 500 people attending.

The Association intends to make this an annual event.

Deterrent Park will be formally dedicated in April 2000 as part of the U.S. Submarine Force Centennial Celebration.

(For more info, go to PACIFIC NW Sub Heritage website at: http://pnwsha.hypermart.net)

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Sometimes it's really hard to believe I'm finally a Naval Officer, just waiting to hit the Fleet as a submariner! While I still have to complete my nuclear training, the goal is in sight. There were times at the Academy when I really didn't feel like I was going to make it, and others when I really began to question what I was there for, but two SSBN summer cruises really helped me to hold on and maintain my focus.

Before I enlisted in the Navy, my aspirations were geared largely to Tom Cruise and the glamor of Top Gun. The thought of submarining as a career hadn't even crossed my mind, and my plan was simple: to fly. After high school, I was on track to do Air Force ROTC at Baylor, but things didn't work out as planned, and I "ejected." While "re-grouping" with the help of my father, we took a swing down to the Gulf Coast with my uncle and cousin to see the battleship Alabama in Mobile. However, what really caught my eye was a little World War II submarine - USS Drum (SS-228) - moored alongside, and I left the guided tour to have a look for myself. As I browsed through the several displays onboard, I realized how much Drum and boats like her had done during World War II, and I started thinking about my own options. Walking away from the museum, I turned to my uncle and remarked, "I know what I'm going to do."

Shortly after, I returned to Texas and enlisted in the Navy under the submarine nuclear power option. From the very beginning, I had been attracted to ballistic missile submarines, and I entered the pipeline with "boomers" in mind. I was inspired to try for an officer program after reading about the World War II exploits of men like Fluckey and Ramage, and just a week before qualifying, I was called out of the prototype and told to report to the Naval Academy Preparatory School (NAPS). What an opportunity! Even so, after completing NAPS and a long plebe year at the Naval Academy, I was getting pretty weary, and my second-class summer cruise - on an SSBN - came just when I was being seduced by visions of grandeur in Naval Aviation.

What I'd been waiting for was finally right there for me at Kings Bay, Georgia, and it all became clear during that cruise on USS Tennessee (SSBN-734). The first 48 hours were amazing - from conning the ship for man-overboard drills to hitting the ground running and trying to qualify at something. At first, I didn't know anyone onboard except a few fellow midshipman, and early on, we'd sit in Bunkroom One and speculate about earning our enlisted dolphins while on cruise. While there seemed to be plenty of time, it became apparent in talking with the enlisted men that it takes even a hot-runner at least four and a half months to earn his dolphins, and that trying for them in only 45 days might compromise the process. Giving up on that idea, we decided we'd just blend in with the crew, try to help out as much as possible, and learn by doing. So we ran drills with the men, manned the hoses, and basically lived the life of enlisted submariners. After I qualified in the sonar shack, that cruise really began for me. Being assigned to a watch section and treated by the crew as one of them gave me a greater sense of pride and accomplishment than a "crash course" in qualification could ever have done. At that point, we turned a corner, and it seemed that the crew really appreciated the respect we showed for their standard of excellence.

The following summer, I was one of very few midshipmen - if not the only one - to get another SSBN cruise. My peers thought I was crazy for wanting another tour where I would spend so much time underwater, but that was my choice. For this second adventure - 59 days aboard USS Michigan (SSBN-727) - I arrived with some understanding of how everything worked, but my goal was to learn even more. I took every chance they gave me to do something new: manning the Diving Officer's chair, spinning missiles up for drills, and shooting water slugs from the torpedo tubes. All in all, it was a complete learning experience that really settled my mind about what I wanted to do in the Navy.

That just about brings my story up to date. I've only spent a relatively short time on the boomers, but that's where I want to be. It's not clear what draws me there - whether it's their somewhat more orderly lifestyle, or the power of their weaponry, or the elegance of their technology - but those summer cruises really set the hook! The enthusiasm of my COs and XOs - and their emphasis on professionalism - showed me why I joined the Navy in the first place. And there were a lot of other shipmates who guided me right, too. But basically, there's something about doing man-overboard drills on a beautiful day at sea and looking back over the sail at those 24 missile tubes that really stays with you! I can't wait to get back.

Ensign Oatis is a 1999 graduate of the US Naval Academy.

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Washington Watch Letters to Undersea Warfare Magazine

Welcome to the Fall 1999 issue of Undersea Warfare magazine. The long, hot summer here in DC is finally behind us, and it's been a busy one for the Submarine Force here "inside the Beltway." We've been emphasizing to our military and Congressional leaders that "doing more with less" cannot become trying to do everything with nothing. More resources are required to do all the things our Nation expects from you. I think our leadership is coming around to the view that we need more submarines. The TRIDENT SSGN study has been completed and delivered to Congress. Additionally, the FY 2000 National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report earmarked $13 million to begin preliminary design work on converting the first four TRIDENT submarines to SSGNs when they are removed from strategic service. I'm optimistic that decision-makers, both within the military and in Congress, will see the wisdom of leveraging the payload volume of these magnificent ships for a new and important role.

The other major submarine-related review is the Joint Chiefs of Staff SSN study. The report is not quite complete, so I can't discuss any details, but I've concluded two key points in general. First, I don't think there is another community that has had their real requirements evaluated as rigorously as the Submarine Force has by the Joint Staff. The Joint Staff and our warfighting CINCs reviewed submarine requirements in extraordinary detail, accounting for and prioritizing every single mission day. The second point is that after all the analysis is done, I am very confident that the study will conclude what you on the deckplates already know - 50 SSNs are just not enough. My staff is working on contingency plans to help get to higher force levels, including possibly refueling 688s that are currently scheduled to be decommissioned. I'll keep you posted on where we stand in the next issue of Undersea Warfare.

I'm especially pleased to focus on the SSBN force in this issue of the magazine, since I had the great privilege to command the USS Pennsylvania (SSBN 735)(Gold) earlier in my career. It gave me immense satisfaction to be a part of the strategic deterrent force, and I hope that you are able to gain a new appreciation for the dedication and professionalism of our SSBN Sailors as you read their stories in this issue of Undersea Warfare.

Malcolm I. Fages
Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy

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	"Right Reservists, Right Place, Right Time" By ETCS(SS) Frederick Engle, USN
Emory S. Land's reserve support on the forecastle with CAPT Dowell, the Commanding Officer.

In January 1999, SUBLANT requested reserve augmentation for the USS Emory S. Land's (AS-39) homeport change from Norfolk, Virginia to La Maddalena, Italy. Sixty-two selected reservists responded to the call and embarked when the ship departed in April to relieve the submarine tender USS Simon Lake (AS-33), which was scheduled to be decommissioned. The reservists represented 31 units drilling at reserve centers across the country, from Maine to Montana and California to Florida. Reserve augmentation of Land's departments was based on each Sailor's rating or civilian skill. They assisted watchstanders or worked to aid the ship's Supply, Repair, Engineering, Deck, Administration, and Operations departments prepare for the demanding task of being the only submarine tender "in theater." During a three-day port call in Rota, Spain, the reserve E-8/9 selection board results were received and two reserve chiefs were frocked to senior chief by the ship's Commanding Officer, CAPT T.A. Dowell, USN. Following the ceremony CAPT Dowell commented that he was "pleased with the major contribution the reservists had made to the Land's deployment." He also presented each reservist with a Letter of Commendation for his outstanding effort in keeping with the ship's motto "Tireless Worker of the Sea." After a debrief on transit, VADM E. P. Giambastiani, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, congratulated the reservists for their professionalism and commented on their "great work and a great team effort." The success of this reserve augmentation was due to the extra effort on the part of all the reserve Sailors to mesh seamlessly with ship's company. They were indeed "the right reservists, in the right place, at the right time."

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