USS Minnesota (SSN-783) pulled into HMAS Stirling on Tuesday for training with Royal Australian Navy sailors, according to a news release from Naval Sea Systems Command’s AUKUS program office.
“This year, USS Minnesota (SSN 783) is conducting at-sea operations as part of the Submarine Command Course, a training program for naval officers preparing to take command of a submarine,” the release reads. “At HMAS Stirling, the U.S. Navy will have the opportunity to share and compare procedures, such as weapons handling, with their Australian counterparts.”
Under the AUKUS pact between Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States, the U.S. and U.K. plan to start basing nuclear-powered attack boats out of Perth in 2027.
Virginia-class submarines,“executable” surface ships and nuclear modernization are exempt from a budget shift.
The offsets, due on Feb. 24, are part of an overall Fiscal Year 2026 budget “relook” that will reshape the Pentagon’s spending priorities in line with guidance from the White House Office of Management and Budget and move through the office the deputy defense secretary and the office of the director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation.
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 February 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 David Bilek, Dan Del Monte, Karl Dye, Nelson Greer, Ben McGowan, Ace Parker, Crichton Roberts, Pat Suenaga, Wade Thode, and Joe Winzenried.
Welcomed Guests – Miya Bilek, Judy McGowan, Sandra Parker, Johanna Del Monte, Thomas Schmidt, Wesley and William Thode. We also welcomed new Associate Member Thomas Schmidt.
Binnacle List – Please keep all our members and their families in your good thoughts and prayers.
Hauʻoli Lā Hānau! Bowfin Birthdays for the month ofFebruary.
2011 – Established Stanley K. Nicholls Award – awarded to the Base Member who, by his personal individual efforts and participation during the preceding years contributed the most to the advancement and embodiment of the USSVI Creed and Agenda, and by his dedicated service and support to the Bowfin Base Pearl Harbor and his fellow Submarine Veterans exemplifies the meaning and spirit of the word, “Shipmate.” 2011 – Base begins efforts to produce a plaque for the USS Growler, the Hawaii State Boat, to place at the Arizona Memorial. 1986 – Members encouraged to write Congress in opposition to turning Fort DeRusy land over to the State of Hawaii.
The Navy and its nuclear submarine shipbuilders are closing in on a deal to put two long-awaited Virginia-class submarines under contract, company leaders said in earnings calls over the last week.
Supported by a $5.7 billion anomaly for submarine construction in the most recent continuing resolution to fund the federal government, the Navy, General Dynamics Electric Boat and HII’s Newport News are finalizing the detail design and construction contracts for the Block V Baltimore (SSN-812) and Atlanta (SSN-813) attack submarines following an injection of funds to make up for cost overruns.
The Periscope is a monthly publication of the Los Angeles-Pasadena Base of USSVI.
What’s Inside General Meeting Minutes Tolling the Boats Columbia to be Ready in 2030 First Virginia Goes to Guam Quiet Brit Astute-Class Subs Dex Armstrong Chapter News Calendar of Upcoming Events E-Board Meeting Minutes “We Knew. And Yet, We Went” 2025 Sub Calendars Available
Leadership Transition as Charles Merkel Retires and Homer Ring Takes the Helm
Earlier this month, the Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum (PFSM) announced that Executive Director Charles “Chuck” Merkel will retire on May 1 of this year, marking the end of a distinguished nine-year tenure defined by transformative leadership. The museum’s Board of Directors has named Andrew “Homer” Ring as Merkel’s successor.
The fast-attack submarine USS Indiana arrived in Gibraltar as part of a regularly scheduled visit, Cmdr. Timothy Gorman, a spokesman for U.S. 6th Fleet, said in a statement on Saturday. The statement did not indicate how long the submarine would remain in Gibraltar.
The nation’s largest shipbuilder wants to expand its manufacturing facilities this year to speed up and streamline production of nuclear submarines amid ongoing delays, ballooning costs, and labor woes.
The goal is to improve cost and throughput by going “where the labor is,” said Huntington Ingalls Industries’ CEO Christopher Kastner.
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 January meeting at Clean Sweep Bar, Lockwood Hall. The following members attended – Base Commander Paul Jurcsak, Secretary Brett Kulbis, Treasurer Carleton Tatro, COB Gary Johnson, and members Dave Atkins, David Bilek, Rodney Boucher, Allen Clemons, Dan Del Monte, Frank Diaz, Nelson Greer, Ben McGowan, Crichton Roberts, Pat Suenaga, Wade Thode, Ken Voorhees, and Joe Winzenried.
Welcomed Guests – Dolores Brown, Miya Bilek, Judy McGowan, Edie Clemons, Wesley and William Thode. We also welcomed new Associate Member Thomas Schmidt.
Binnacle List – Please keep all our members and their families in your good thoughts and prayers.
Hauʻoli Lā Hānau! Bowfin Birthdays for the month ofJanuary.
1996 – USSV of WWII Hawaii Chapter begin conducting monthly meetings at Clean Sweep Lounge, Lockwood Hall, Naval Submarine Base Pearl Harbor. 1972 – Submarine Memorial Pearl Harbor plaque inscription approved. 1920 – Lieutenant Chester W. Nimitz accepts property for Naval Submarine Base Pearl Harbor. 1919 – Submarines R-15 to R-20 arrive early in 1919 to establish the Submarine Base at Pearl Harbor.
Bowfin Pearl Harbor Base 