USNI News | March 31, 2025
The Navy is counting on innovations to help it build and staff submarines and ships more efficiently as demand for the capability grows, the head of the service’s nuclear propulsion program said Monday.
“We’re getting better at the same time as the demand is increasing,” Adm. William Houston said. In terms of new submarine construction, he added. “We’re building more subs in tonnage than we were in the Cold War.”.
The Periscope is a monthly publication of the Los Angeles-Pasadena Base of USSVI.
What’s Inside
General Meeting Minutes
Tolling the Boats
New French SSN Arrives
The Five Fastest Subs
Russian Project 636.3 Sub
Dex Armstrong
Chapter News
Calendar Events
E-Board Meeting Minutes
New Astute-Class Sub
Read full newsletter HERE.
USNI News | March 25, 2025
The Navy has been procuring Virginia-class nuclear powered attack submarines (SSNs) since FY1998. The Navy’s envisaged successor to the Virginia-class design is the Next-Generation Attack Submarine, or SSN(X). The Navy’s FY2024 budget submission envisaged procuring the first SSN(X) in FY2035. The Navy’s FY2025 budget submission defers the envisaged procurement of the first SSN(X) from FY2035 to FY2040 due, the Navy states, to limitations on the Navy’s total budget.
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As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we honor the courageous and trailblazing women who have shaped the U.S. Navy. From the first female enlistees to today’s top-ranking admirals, women have demonstrated resilience, leadership, and dedication to their country.
Women’s official involvement in the Navy began on May 13, 1908, with the establishment of the Navy Nurse Corps. These women provided critical medical care, setting a precedent for future generations. During World War I, the Navy faced a clerical shortage and turned to women to fill vital roles ashore.
What’s Inside
Read full Newsletter HERE.
The history of the U.S. Submarine Warfare Insignia, commonly known as “Dolphins,” dates back to 1923 when Captain Ernest J. King, then Commander of Submarine Division Three, proposed creating a distinctive badge for qualified submariners. He submitted a pen-and-ink sketch depicting a shield mounted on the beam ends of a submarine, flanked by dolphins forward and abaft the conning tower. The idea was strongly endorsed by the Commander of Submarine Division Atlantic and forwarded to the Bureau of Navigation (now Naval Personnel Command) for further development.
On March 20, 1924, the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation recommended adopting this design, which was approved by Theodore Roosevelt Jr., Acting Secretary of the Navy. Initially, the insignia was worn only while attached to submarine units or commands but later became a permanent badge for qualified submariners in 1941.
“Dolphins” symbolize the identity and prestige of submariners and are considered one of the Navy’s oldest and most challenging warfare badges to earn.
Qualification in submarines is a daunting task. However, once finished you become part of a fellowship that can only be understood by those who have done it themselves. That can only be truly recognized by the very small and special group of men that have the pride and honor of calling themselves SUBMARINERS.
USNI News | March 19, 2025
This report provides background information and potential oversight issues for Congress on the Navy’s Columbia (SSBN-826) class program, a program to design and build a class of 12 new ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) to replace the Navy’s current force of 14 aging Ohio-class SSBNs. Since 2013, the Navy has consistently identified the Columbia-class program as the Navy’s top priority program. The Navy procured the first Columbia-class boat in FY2021; the boat was funded with three-year incremental funding in FY2021-FY2023. The Navy procured the second Columbia-class boat in FY2024; the boat is being funded with two-year incremental funding (also called split funding) in FY2024-FY2025.
The Navy’s proposed FY2025 budget requests $3,341.2 million (i.e., about $3.3 billion) in procurement funding to complete the procurement cost of the second Columbia-class boat and $6,215.9 million (i.e., about $6.2 billion) in advance procurement (AP) funding for Columbia-class boats to be procured in FY2026 and subsequent years.
The Columbia-class program poses a number of issues for Congress. Decisions that Congress makes on these issues could substantially affect U.S. military capabilities and funding requirements, and the U.S. shipbuilding industrial base.
This report focuses on the Columbia-class program as a Navy shipbuilding program. Another CRS product—CRS In Focus IF10519, Defense Primer: Strategic Nuclear Forces, by Anya L. Fink—discusses the Columbia class as an element of future U.S. strategic nuclear forces in the context of strategic nuclear arms modernization efforts and arms control agreements.
Read full report HERE.
Volume 68
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 March meeting at Clean Sweep Bar, Lockwood Hall. The following members attended – Base Commander Paul Jurcsak, Vice Commander Tim Sparks, Secretary Brett Kulbis, Treasurer Carleton Tatro, COB Gary Johnson, and members Dave Bilek, Dan Del Monte, Karl Dye, Ben McGowan, Ace Parker, Crichton Roberts, Thom Souza, Pat Suenaga, Wade Thode, and Joe Winzenried.
Welcomed Guests – Miya Bilek, Judy McGowan, Sandra Parker, Johanna Vacerro, Wesley and William Thode.
Binnacle List – Please keep all our members and their families in your good thoughts and prayers.
Hauʻoli Lā Hānau! Bowfin Birthdays for the month of March.
Patrol Reports
2025 National Vietnam Veterans Day Ceremony and Parade
Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum Monthly E-Newsletter February 2025
The Periscope March 2025
Bowfin Holland Club Members
This Month in Base History
1982 – Relief Crew ONE accepted as an integral unit of this chapter.
1944 – Bowfin sighted a convoy of four ships screened by a couple of escorts. Bowfin fired six bow tubes, but four of the torpedoes exploded prematurely.
Base Officers & Staff
Commander | Vice Commander |
Secretary | Treasurer |
Chief of the Boat | Storekeeper |
Base Committees
USSVI Committee | Aloha Committee |
Boy Scout Troop 97 | Boat Sponsorship Program |
Binnacle List |
2. U.S. Submarine Veterans Inc.
News and Bulletins
American Submariner
USSVI Officers & Staff
USSVI National Commander | USSVI Western Region Director |
USSVI Western District 6 Commander | USSVI Office Manager |
3. Information of Interest
VA News Releases
Defense News – Early Bird
4. Still On Patrol
Tolling of the bells for boats lost in the month of March.
5. Important Links
Bowfin Base Pearl Harbor
Plan of the Day
Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base Photo Album
USSVI Bowfin Base Facebook (Like Us, Follow Us and Share with your shipmates)
Past Bowfin Base Eblasts
Friends of the Submarine Memorial Chapel Facebook (Like Us, Follow Us and Share with your shipmates)
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park
American Submariner Magazine
Pearl Harbor Dolphin Store (Your one stop shop for submarine merchandise.)
6. Submarine Humor
7. Submariners Prayer
Our mailing address is:
USSVI Bowfin Base Pearl Harbor
94-219 Wehena Place
Waipahu, Hawaii 96797
Vietnam Veterans of America, Oahu Chapter 858 and Commander U.S. Pacific Fleet will host The National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl), 2177 Puowaina Dr. Honolulu, Hawaii 96813.
Friday March 28, 2025 at 10:00am
R.S.V.P. by 23 March 2025
POC: John J. Beirne
808-221-2999
Registration begins at 9:00am
Schedule of Events
Master of Ceremony Thomas Stirling
Arrival of the Official Party
Oli
Posting of Colors: University of Hawaii ROTC
National Anthem: U. S. Pacific Fleet Band
Hawai’i State Anthem: U. S. Pacific Fleet Band
Invocation: Pacific Fleet Chaplain Capt. Darren L. Stennett
Pledge of Allegiance: JROTC
Introduction: Ms. Rona Adams President VVA Chapter 858
Tom Stirling: Recognition of Vietnam Veterans Gold Star Families
Guest Speakers: Major General Steve Logan – U. S. Army Dept of Defense
Keynote Speaker: Admiral Samuel Paparo, INDOPACOM
Prayer of Rememberance: Pacific Fleet Chaplain Capt. Darren L. Stennett
Laying of Ceremonial Wreaths with assistance by JROTC Cadets
University of Hawaii Drill Team
Bagpipe Tribute: Mark Reed
Rifle Volley: Marine Corp Base Hawaii
Taps: U. S. Pacific Fleet Band
Conclusion of Ceremony
Military: Class B Uniform
Civilian: Formal Aloha Attire
2025 National Vietnam Veterans Day Parade
Saturday March 29, 2025 at 6:00pm
On behalf of a grateful nation we Remember, we honor, and we salute all those who served. As Hawai’i was America’s gateway to those departing and returning from war, it is fitting that the National Vietnam Veterans Day Parade be held here. Hawaii’s hospitality will provide a warm and heating embrace to those who experienced the devastation of war many years ago. The Vietnam Veterans Day Parade is produced annually by Historic Programs and its partner organizations and is recognized as an official event of the United States Vietnam War Commemoration.
The National Vietnam Veterans Day Parade will unite Americans in a meaningful parade that honors our Vietnam Veterans and their families, and our active-duty military men and women and the thousands of Vietnamese community members here in Hawai’i and on the mainland. while educating and inspiring all who will travel to Hawaii to salute them. The official Ceremony and Parade will feature participants selected from across the nation.
Event Information
When: Saturday March 29, 2025 from 6:00 to 7:30pm
Where: Kalakaua Avenue to Kapi’olani Park in Waikiki
Shuttles will be running from around 3pm until 5pm from Kapiolani park, Parking area, to the event site. There will be a short program at 4:30pm at Fort Derussy (open area close to the Museum), this will run approximately 1 hour.
Bowfin SUBVET Pat Suenaga will be at the Aloha Gas station (2025 Kalākaua Ave) (on Kalakaua at the beginning of the route-right where Kalakaua and Kuhio Ave split) with his vehicle which can take 4 or 5 passengers for the parade route.
If you would like any other information please contact Mr. Earl Hurrey (event coordinator) email: earl@historicprograms.org Phone: (808) 425-2908.
USNI News | March 6, 2025
The U.S. Navy began anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercises in Hawaii and Guam on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a Chinese and a Russian surveillance ship have been conducting separate sails around Japan’s southwest islands and Australia has now tasked three frigates to shadow a People’s Liberation Army Navy task group that has been operating around Australia since mid-February. On Tuesday, U.S. Navy submarines, ships and aircraft began exercise Black Widow 2025 off Hawaii, reads a Navy release. The drill combines submarines, surface ships and aircraft into a team tasked to track and engage a simulated adversary submarine.
Commander, Task Force (CTF) 34 will serve as the unit commander during Black Widow 2025, responsible for exercising command and control over exercise units.
Read full story HERE.
Defense One | February 28, 2025
The Navy is bumping up its use of additive (3D) manufacturing to make critical, delay-prone submarine parts, said Christopher Miller, NAVSEA’s executive director.
“We have really pressed the accelerator in going after the really hard problems. Not the simple polymer things, but really hard material combinations that really do provide parts into our availabilities,” Miller said.
Read full story HERE.
Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base 