A U.S. Navy submarine has arrived in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in a show of force as a fleet of Russian warships gather for planned military exercises in the Caribbean.
U.S. Southern Command said the USS Helena, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine, pulled into the waters near the U.S. base in Cuba on Thursday, just a day after a Russian frigate, a nuclear-powered submarine, an oil tanker and a rescue tug crossed into Havana Bay after drills in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Pentagon deployed three Navy destroyers and maritime patrol aircraft this week to keep tabs on a group of Russian ships that conducted missile exercises and reportedly got within 30 miles of the Florida coast.
“In accordance with standard procedure, we’ve been actively monitoring the Russian ships as they transit the Atlantic Ocean within international waters,” a defense official, who spoke on the condition his name not be used, told Military.com in an emailed statement Wednesday.
To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives while voluntarily serving in submarine warfare in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country. That their dedication, deeds and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of motivation toward greater accomplishments. To further promote and keep alive the spirit and unity that existed among submarine crewmen during World War II. To promote sociability general welfare and good fellowship among our members. To pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and it’s constitution.
1. Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base
Bowfin Meeting – We conducted our June meeting at Clean Sweep Bar, Lockwood Hall. The following members attended – Base Commander Paul Jurcsak, Vice Commander Tim Sparks, Secretary Brett Kulbis, Treasurer Carl Tatro, COB Gary Johnson, and members George Barlett, David Bilek, Rodney Boucher, David Danby, Frank Diaz, Karl Dye, Nelson Greer, Ace Parker, Crichton Roberts, Pat Suenaga, Wade Thode, and Joe Winzenried.
Welcomed Guests – Allen & Edie Clemons, Dolores Brown, Mi-ye Bilek, Sandra Parker, Wesley and William Thode.
Binnacle List – Please keep the all our members and their families in your good thoughts and prayers, especially Chris Cunha, Paul Ferguson, and John Hatch.
Hauʻoli Lā Hānau! Bowfin Birthdays for the month ofJune.
As Veterans we must Vote to make our voices heard in the political arena, and to protect the freedoms we vowed to in our oath of enlistment.
Ben Franklin after the Constitution was approved is said to have told someone that the founders gave the us a Republic: if we can keep it. He meant that everyone must participate in the political system and vote to keep the government of the people, by the people and for the people. Our participation doesn’t stop at elections but must continue constantly, and as Veterans our oath does not expire.
Voting comes with certain responsibilities, one of which is the responsibility to make decisions in a sufficiently informed manner. How we vote has a significant impact on political outcomes that affect many more people than just ourselves. Because of its far reaching results, we have the moral obligation to become sufficiently informed before casting our ballot.
2024 Candidates
On Tuesday June 4th at 4:30pm candidate filing closed for the 2024 Elections.
Hundreds of candidates have filed to run for office in Hawaii in 2024. This resource guide will help you figure out who to vote for. Honolulu Civil Beat 2024 Election Ballot: Hawaii Candidate Guide.
You can all find your candidates for local, State, and Federal races on the Office of Elections final candidate report HERE. The report includes candidate contact information.
2024 Election Key Dates
Primary
July 23 – Voters start receiving their Primary Election mail ballot packet. July 29 – Voter service centers open times vary. August 10 – Primary Election. Voting service centers open from 7am to 7pm.
General
October 18 – Voters start receiving their Primary Election mail ballot packet. October 22 – Voter service centers open times vary. November 5 – Primary Election. Voting service centers open from 7am to 7pm.
Click HERE to find all voting service centers, drop box locations, and times they are open across the State.
Best Practices
Pre-Vote
1. Go to the Office of Elections “Online Voter Registration System” here and verify your registered at your current residence.
2. Do your research! Using the Office of Elections candidate report, find candidates running that you can vote for and reach out to them via email or phone. Follow them on social media and attend any of their events. Ask them where they stand on the issues that keep you up at night.
3. Determine how you will cast your vote – mail in your ballot, drop your ballot in a drop box near you, or vote in person at a Voting Service Center.
Note: If you mail in your ballot, it is highly recommended you sign up for “BallotTrax“, so you can track your ballot. Mailed in ballots must be received by 7pm on Election Day.
4. Mark your calendar and make a plan to vote.
Mail In and Drop Box Voting
We strongly recommend in person voting!
However, if you must mail in or use a drop box we recommend the following:
1. Drop your mail ballot envelope at a U.S. Post Office location mail box. These are the most secure and are emptied on a more routine basis. Additionally, they are often monitored by security cameras.
2. Drop your mail ballot envelope at a drop box at your county’s election office. These are the most secure drop boxes and often monitored by security cameras.
In Person Voting
1. Be sure to check the hours the Voting Service Center will be open, either during early voting or on election day, and plan accordingly. If voting on election day expect their to be a long line.
Note: If voting on election day be sure to arrive early and be in line before 7pm. Only voters in line at 7pm will be allowed to vote.
2. Bring your mailed ballot packet to the voting location as proof you have not voted, should you need it. You’ll not be able to use your mailed ballot and you will be provided an in person voting ballot.
On Memorial Day Monday May 27, 2024 at 1100 hours, dozens of Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base Submarine Veterans, submarine veteran wives and widows, active and retired military members, and friends of the Submarine Force participated in the annual Memorial Day commemoration at USS Parche and Submarine Memorial Park on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (formerly known as Submarine Base Pearl Harbor.)
The U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II assigned a submarine lost during the war to each state of our great nation as their state submarine. The USS Growler (SS-215) was designated as the State Submarine of Hawaii. After Growler’s fourth war patrol during which Medal of Honor winner Commander Howard W. Gilmore issued his final order to “Take her down!”, sacrificing all for his country and his severely damaged submarine, the Growler made her way back to Brisbane for repairs. USS Growler was dubbed the “Kangaroo Express” by the Australians when, after the extensive and miraculous repairs to the ship’s bow, the Australian shipyards welded a kangaroo coin to each side of her repaired bow. For the Royal Australian Navy, Commander Tim Markusson, CMDCM(SS) (Retired) Gary Johnson presented a lei.
Among the over 3,500 submariners who lost their lives, we have the names of seventeen Filipino U.S. Army Rangers who were lost with USS Seawolf (SS-197). The U.S. Army’s 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment, represented today by Mrs. Anita Loando-Acohido, once again honors our ceremony as they do every year to place a lei on the special plaque engraved with the names of those seventeen heroic Filipinos who went down with Seawolf.
Honoring our ceremony were several organizations presenting flower wreaths. Representing Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base Submarine Veterans – MMC(SS) (Retired) Pat Suenaga; representing the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association – Captain (Retired) Chuck Merkel; representing the Aloha Chapter of the Naval Submarine League – Captain (Retired) Pete Miller; and representing the Pearl Harbor Submarine Officers’ Spouses’ Association – President President Kristen Newman Vice President Monike Hunter, and Secretary Melissa Ludwig.
In honor of our submarine widows, a single rose was presented to Dolores Brown and Nancy Kreis.
Our keynote address was given by Captain Aaron C. Peterson, Commander, Submarine Squadron 1.
The ceremony ended with a 3-gun volley by Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Navy Honor Guard Detachment followed by Taps by Bugler MU3 Andrew Gushiken of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Ceremonial Band.
On behalf of the Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base Submarine Veterans, mahalo to all for joining us in commemorating our submarine hero’s.
God Bless our Submarine Force, God Bless our Navy, and God Bless the United States of America. ALOHA!
Following our commemoration, Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base members, families and friends gathered for a Memorial Day barbecue at Lockwood Lanai.
The BuildSubmarines ad blitz is part of an innovative campaign to shore up one particular aspect of the industrial base.
The U.S. Navy, along with its shipbuilders and their thousands of specialty suppliers, need more than 100,000 workers to help build attack and ballistic missile submarines over the coming decade. That’s according to BuildSubmarines.com, whose ubiquitous ads you may have seen during reality TV shows, on NASCAR hoods, at WNBA games, and amid Major League Baseball broadcasts. But what is that website and who runs it?
BuildSubmarines.com is the public face of an innovative, multi-organization effort to woo American workers to join a crucial part of the defense industrial workforce. The hub is BlueForge Alliance, a not-for-profit organization founded in November 2022 with a Navy contract and a mandate to gin up a new generation of shipbuilders.
Hurricane season in Hawaiʻi lasts from June 1 until the end of November. August and September are historically active months.
The National Weather Service predicts a slower hurricane season in Hawaiʻi with two to four tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific region.
The best time to prepare for hurricanes is BEFORE hurricane season begins. Avoid having to rush through potentially life-saving preparations by waiting until it’s too late. Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. Here is more:
At the Start of the Season
Enter the season prepared.
Know all evacuation routes if you live close to the coast.
Make sure your home meets building codes for withstanding hurricanes, and they have storm shutters.
Walk through your home with a camera or video camera and take inventory images of your home and your possessions. Walk the perimeter too and take photos or video of the outside.
If you Download the Allstate Mobile App – you can also utilize the Digital Locker feature to accomplish this.
Have proper tools, supplies, and a first aid kit.
Have plenty of batteries and flashlights
Always have plenty of non-perishable foods on hand.
Once the Watch is Issued
Leave low lying areas.
Protect windows with plywood boards, or storm shutters.
Secure outside objects.
Make sure you have plenty of fuel and water.
Have several days supply of food and water for each family member.
If called to evacuate, do so immediately.
Before the Storm
Be ready to put your plan and preparation into action.
Pay attention to local weather reports on radio, television, or the internet.
Have house boarded up, or have storm shutters in place.
Have plenty of food and water.
Make sure all your tools, supplies, and first aid kit available for use.
Have a secure room available.
During the Storm
Stay in Secure Room.
Stay away from windows.
Do not use the phone, or candles.
Monitor Weather and Civil Service Bulletins on either regular or NOAA radio.
Have supplies on hand.
Remain indoors when the eye moves over your area because the storm will resume shortly.
Hawaiian Electric also distributes a Disaster Preparedness Handbook. It can be accessed and downloaded here Handbook for Emergency Preparedness.
>> Letters From Home: Memorial Day and Military Spouse Appreciation Month >> Celebrating the 81st Anniversary of the Bowfin Commissioning >> Recent Field Trips to the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum >> Memorial Day Ceremony at Pearl Harbor Submarine Base
Forty ships from nearly 30 nations are slated to participate in this summer’s Rim of the Pacific exercise in and around the Hawaiian islands, the Navy said in a news release Tuesday.
The biennial RIMPAC, which the U.S. Navy touts as the largest international maritime exercise in the world, has been held 29 times since it began in 1971.
The training starts June 26 and runs through Aug. 2 and will include three submarines, 14 land-based forces, more than 150 aircraft and about 25,000 personnel, according to the Navy.
The USS Greeneville on Monday was added to the stable of Los Angeles-class, fast-attack submarines that are homeported in San Diego Bay as part of Submarine Squadron 11.
Naval Base Point Loma now has five of the nuclear-powered submarines, which are regularly sent on deployment to the Indo-Pacific, sometimes to help protect carrier strike groups based in San Diego.
Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base 