Black History Month: Honoring the Legacy of Black Submariners in U.S. Naval History

Video

Pacific Fleet Submarine Museum | February 29, 2024

During Black History Month, we proudly recognize and celebrate the invaluable contributions of the black community to the rich tapestry of U.S. Naval and submarine history. From Stewards and Steward’s Mates to Cooks and Mess Attendants, we pay homage to the courageous men who served aboard the U.S.S. Bowfin (SS-287).

These individuals, integral members of the Steward’s Branch during various patrols, made profound sacrifices, with some making the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. Submarine Force during World War II.

As we pause to reflect on their service and sacrifices, it is imperative to acknowledge the dedication and bravery of black submariners who have illuminated a path of progress throughout history. Their resilience and contributions transcend their roles on the U.S.S. Bowfin, shaping the narrative of the U.S. Submarine Force and the military at large during a transformative era. Notably, the renaming of the Steward Branch in February 1943, marked a pivotal moment in addressing racial disparities within the U.S. Navy.

In 1983, Chancellor Alphonso “Pete” Tzomes shattered barriers by becoming the first African-American to command a nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Houston (SSN-713). Following in his footsteps, six African Americans ascended to command submarines. Known as the “Centennial Seven,” these trailblazers made history as the first and only African-Americans to command U.S. Navy submarines during the first 100 years of the Submarine Force (1900-2000).

These milestones observed during Black History Month not only honor the courageous individuals we’ve lost but also commemorate the enduring legacy of black servicemen and women in shaping the history of submariners and advancing progress within the U.S. military.

Navy Will Ask for 1 Virginia-Class Sub in FY 25 Shipbuilding Budget, Increase Amphib Production

Video

U.S. Naval Institute | February 20, 2024

The Navy’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget will ask Congress to fund one Virginia-class attack boat, a break from a steady two-per-year demand signal from the service and a sign that industry is still catching up to the current demand, three sources familiar with the proposed budget submission confirmed to USNI News.

The decision, initially contemplated last year, is a tacit recognition from the Navy and the Pentagon that the two shipyards building the attack boats and the industrial base can’t keep up with the two-per-year pace that the service says it needs to keep the fleet healthy, the sources all confirmed to USNI News.

Read Full Story HERE.

For Navy submarines and Norfolk’s USS Pasadena, surfacing for supplies is a matter of life or death

Video

Stars & Stripes | February 4, 2024

What allows the Pasadena, as well as every submarine in the Navy’s fleet, to live up to the “anytime, anywhere” motto is the ability to be self-sufficient. This includes making its own fresh water and oxygen for the 140 sailors on board.

“Every time we make the decision to surface, we are saying, ‘Here we are,’ ” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Eddie Murray, the master chief of the Pasadena’s engineering department.

Read Full Story HERE.

Navy Will Ask for 1 Virginia-Class Sub in FY 25 Shipbuilding Budget, Increase Amphib Production

Video

U.S. Naval Institute | February 20, 2024

The Navy’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget will ask Congress to fund one Virginia-class attack boat, a break from a steady two-per-year demand signal from the service and a sign that industry is still catching up to the current demand, three sources familiar with the proposed budget submission confirmed to USNI News.

The decision, initially contemplated last year, is a tacit recognition from the Navy and the Pentagon that the two shipyards building the attack boats and the industrial base can’t keep up with the two-per-year pace that the service says it needs to keep the fleet healthy, the sources all confirmed to USNI News.

Read Full Story HERE.

Navy’s new $3.4 billion dry dock in Hawaii is most expensive project in service’s history

Video

Stars & Stripes | February 17, 2024

The Navy has begun the most expensive building project in its history with construction of a $3.4 billion submarine-repair dry dock in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The initial work of installing foundational piles into the harbor waters began this month, with project completion expected by early 2028.

The initial work of installing foundational piles into the harbor waters began this month, with project completion expected by early 2028.

Read Full Story HERE.

2024 Submarine Birthday Ball

Video

CSP Flag Secretary | February 13, 2024

Celebrating 124 Years Defending Freedom
from Under the Sea!

Commodores, Commanding Officers, CSP N-Heads, Command Master Chiefs, and friends of the Submarine Community,

Aloha, the 2024 Submarine Birthday Ball message is out and provided below. This year’s theme celebrates and honors the warrior spirit and is “HO’ONĀKOA” – to be brave, bold, and have courage.

The hotel registration link is active and there are 50 rooms for each night at $202/night + $40 hotel fee. Current cheapest room through direct booking with Hilton is $305/night + various fees and taxes.

For the Wardroom, the EventZilla link is live and active, tickets can now be purchased. We are experiencing some difficulties with EventZilla redirecting to the Hilton hotel reservation link, so if you receive an error message, please try copy/pasting the link directly into a new window and it should work as intended.

EventZilla: https://events.eventzilla.net/e/124th-pearl-harbor-submarine-birthday-ball-officer-2138606437

Hilton Room Reservation: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/usnsubmarinebirthdayball/

We hope to see you there!

Very Respectfully,

LT Adam L. Davis
Flag Secretary & Staff Executive Officer
Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet

—–OFFICIAL INFORMATION DISPATCH FOLLOWS—–
RAAUZYUW RUOIAAA9005 0440019-UUUU–RUOIAAA.
ZNR UUUUU
R 130015Z FEB 24 MID60010090253574S
FM COMSUBPAC PEARL HARBOR HI
TO RUOIAAA/COMSUBRON ONE
RUOIAAA/COMSUBRON SEVEN
RUOIAAA/NAVSUBTRACENPAC PEARL HARBOR HI
RUOIAAA/NAVSHIPYD AND IMF PEARL HARBOR HI
RUOIAAA/SUBREADRON THREE THREE
INFO ZEN/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RUOIAAA/COMPACFLT PEARL HARBOR HI
RUOIAAA/JB PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM HI
RUOIAAA/NAVSUP FLT LOG CTR PEARL HARBOR HI
ZEN/SDV TEAM ONE
ZEN/NAVSPECWARGRU EIGHT LOGSUPPU PEARL HARBOR HI
RUOIAAA/NAVIOCOM HAWAII
RUOIAAA/COMSUBPAC PEARL HARBOR HI
BT
UNCLAS
MSGID/GENADMIN/COMSUBPAC//
SUB/124TH PEARL HARBOR SUBMARINE BIRTHDAY BALL//
POC/DAVIS, ADAM/LT/COMSUBPAC/-/TEL:808-473-2458/
EMAIL:ADAM.L.DAVIS26.MIL(AT)US.NAVY.MIL//
POC/BREY,CHRIS/CMDCM/COMSUBPAC/-/TEL:808-473-1378/
EMAIL: CHRISTOPHER.L.BREY.MIL(AT)US.NAVY.MIL//
RMKS/1. 2024 MARKS THE 124TH ANNIVERSARY OF SUBMARINE SERVICE IN PEARL HARBOR. TO HONOR OUR PAST AND CELEBRATE OUR FUTURE, SUBMARINE ENLISTED AND OFFICER BIRTHDAY BALLS, RESPECTIVELY, WILL BE HELD ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, 12 AND 13 APRIL 2024 AT THE HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE. THIS YEAR’S THEME WILL BE “HO’ONAKOA” OR TO BE BRAVE, BOLD, AND HAVE COURAGE.
2. ALL SUBMARINERS – ENLISTED, OFFICERS, ACTIVE, RESERVE, RETIRED, AND ALL FRIENDS OF THE SUBMARINE FORCE, CIVILIAN AND MILITARY, ARE INVITED TO ATTEND THE PEARL HARBOR SUBMARINE BIRTHDAY BALLS. THIS MESSAGE PROVIDES THE LATEST INFORMATION FOR PURCHASING SUBMARINE BIRTHDAY BALL TICKETS AND RESERVING HOTEL ROOMS.
3. LOGISTICS.
A. PEARL HARBOR ENLISTED SUBMARINE BIRTHDAY BALL WILL BE HELD FRIDAY, 12 APRIL 2024 IN THE HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE CORAL LOUNGE AND BALLROOM, COMMENCING WITH SOCIAL HOUR (CASH BAR) AT 1700 AND PROGRAM BEGINNING AT 1800.
(1) TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE VIA COMMAND SUBMARINE BALL REPRESENTATIVES FOR $100 EACH.
(2) UNIFORM.
– FULL DRESS WHITES OR DINNER DRESS WHITE JACKET.
– CIVILIAN – BLACK TIE OR FORMAL BUSINESS ATTIRE.
– COVERS ARE NOT REQUIRED.
B. PEARL HARBOR OFFICER SUBMARINE BIRTHDAY BALL WILL BE HELD SATURDAY, 13 APRIL 2023 IN THE HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE CORAL LOUNGE AND BALLROOM, COMMENCING WITH SOCIAL HOUR (CASH BAR) AT 1700 AND PROGRAM BEGINNING AT 1800.
(1) TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE VIA EVENTZILLA,
https://events.eventzilla.net/e/124th-pearl-harbor-submarine-birthday-ball-officer-2138606437 SELECT THE EVENT, 2024 PEARL HARBOR
OFFICERS SUBMARINE BIRTHDAY BALL, OR SEARCH EVENTS BY LOCATION, HONOLULU, HI.
– SELECT THE NUMBER OF TICKETS, DINNER PREFERENCE AND COMMAND, RETIREE, OR CIVILIAN. TICKETS ARE $110 EACH FOR O3 AND BELOW OR $130 EACH FOR O4 AND ABOVE AND CAN BE PURCHASED WITH A CREDIT CARD OR BY PAYPAL.
– TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED NO LATER THAN 5 APRIL TO ENSURE GUESTS ARE SEATED WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMANDS.
(2) UNIFORM.
– O5 & ABOVE: DINNER DRESS WHITE JACKET.
– O4 & BELOW: DINNER DRESS WHITE OR OPTIONAL DINNER DRESS WHITE JACKET.
– CIVILIAN – BLACK TIE OR FORMAL BUSINESS ATTIRE.
– COVERS ARE NOT REQUIRED.
(3) INFORMATION FOR ASHORE AND AFLOAT COMMAND RECOGNITION AND CENTERPIECE COMPETITION WILL BE PROMULGATED SEPCOR.
4. HOTEL RESERVATIONS. FOR BOTH THE OFFICER AND ENLISTED
SUBMARINE BIRTHDAY BALL, A BLOCK OF ROOMS AT THE HILTON
HAWAIIAN VILLAGE AND HILTON DOUBLE TREE ARE AVAILABLE. SPECIAL RATE ONLY APPLIES FOR ROOMS BETWEEN 12-13 APRIL 2023.
(1) HILTON HAWAIIAN VILLAGE
– 50 ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE PER NIGHT.
– NIGHTLY RATE OF $202, $40 PER NIGHT FOR OVERNIGHT PARKING.
– EVENT LINK: https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/usnsubmarinebirthdayball/
5. ALL WHO READ THIS MESSAGE ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE PART IN THIS TIME HONORED TRADITION AS WE CELEBRATE THE 124th
ANNIVERSARY OF OUR FORCE AND PROVIDE TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US TO DEFEND FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY FROM UNDER THE SEA.//
BT
#9005
NNNN

    The 2025 Dolphin Scholarship Foundation Cartoon Calendar Contest is open!

    Video

    Dolphin Scholarship Foundation | February 13, 2024

    Grab your pen and start sketching!

    Contest Rules

    1. Twelve (12) drawings will be selected for the 2025 Dolphin Scholarship Foundation cartoon calendar.

    2. Drawings are to be humorous and submarine themed depicting life in the Submarine Service.

    3. All cartoons must be:
      - Original artwork, not copies.
      - Hand drawn in black ink (not pencil) on white paper OR black & white computer generated.
      - Landscape orientated on 8 ½ x 11 paper. 

    4. Please print on a separate piece of paper:
      - Artist’s Name;
      - If current or former military member: rank/rate and duty station;
      - If dependent: sponsor’s name, rank/rate, duty station, and artist’s age if under 18;
      - Mailing address, e-mail address, & phone number.

    5. Please DO NOT fold entry.

    6. $100.00 cash prize for each selected cartoon.

    7. Entries due by June 15, 2024.

    Direct all entries (keep the originals!) or questions to:

    Dolphin Scholarship Foundation
    4966 Euclid Road, Suite 109
    Virginia Beach, VA 23462

    Or Email To: admin@dolphinscholarship.org

    ***IF SENDING DIGITALLY, PLEASE RETAIN ORIGINAL. WE MAY REQUEST A PAPER COPY IF A HIGHER RESOLUTION IS NEEDED FOR PUBLISHING***

    Our Contact Information
    Dolphin Scholarship Foundation
    4966 Euclid Road, Suite 109
    Virginia Beach, VA 23462
    757-671-3200
    http://www.dolphinscholarship.org

    Australia sends sailors to Guam for US Navy nuclear submarine training

    Video

    Stars & Stripes | February 9, 2024

    A second, larger contingent of Australian sailors is training alongside U.S. counterparts on Guam as part of an agreement to create a nuclear-powered submarine force for the Australian navy.

    Australia sent 37 officers and enlisted personnel to Naval Base Guam to train aboard the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land, according to a Feb. 4 news release from the country’s Department of Defence.

    Read Full Story HERE.

    This Time It’s China Targeting Pearl Harbor, Records Show

    Video

    The Daily Signal | February 2, 2024

    HONOLULU, HI – DECEMBER 07: The Pass-in-Review by the USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) as Pearl Harbor Commemorates the 78th Anniversary Of World War II Attacks at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial on December 7, 2019 in Honolulu, Hawaii. On the morning of December 7, 1941 the Japanese mounted a surprise military air strike on the naval base at Pearl Harbor leading to the United States’ formal entry into World War II the next day. 2,335 were killed in the attack and dozens of naval ships were damaged or sunk. (Photo by Kat Wade/Getty Images)

    By the time police responded to a call shortly before 10 a.m. regarding a Chinese man and woman conducting surveillance near a security entrance of the historic Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, the two fled in what police identified as a 2021 silver Nissan Altima, with unidentified plates.

    The two suspects had been “capturing digital media of the entry control point,” police said. Later that afternoon the pair–a man with a black crew cut and the woman with shoulder-length hair, a pink top, and a white skirt–appeared at another entry point. Police issued a “BOLO,” or “be-on-the-lookout,” notice for the two at all base entrances. 

    Read Full Story HERE.

    For Navy submarines and Norfolk’s USS Pasadena, surfacing for supplies is a matter of life or death

    Video

    Stars & Stripes | February 4, 2024

    What allows the Pasadena, as well as every submarine in the Navy’s fleet, to live up to the “anytime, anywhere” motto is the ability to be self-sufficient. This includes making its own fresh water and oxygen for the 140 sailors on board.

    “Every time we make the decision to surface, we are saying, ‘Here we are,’ ” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Eddie Murray, the master chief of the Pasadena’s engineering department.

    Read Full Story HERE.