ussvi central texas base january 2020
TRANSCRIPT
January 2020 Page 1
USSVI Creed
Section 1: To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country. That their dedication, deeds, and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of moti-vation toward greater accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States of America and its Constitution.
Camaraderie
Section 2: In addition to perpetuating the memory of departed shipmates, USSVI provides a way for all Sub-mariners to gather for mutual benefit and enjoyment. The common heritage as Submariners is strengthened by camaraderie. USSVI supports a strong United States Submarine Force.
Perpetual Remembrance
Section 3: The organization engages in various projects and deeds that bring about the perpetual remem-brance of those shipmates who have given the supreme sacrifice. USSVI also endeavors to educate all third parties it comes in contact with about the services United States submariners performed and how the sacrific-es of lost shipmates made possible the freedom and lifestyle Americans enjoy today
THE DECK LOG
USSVI Central Texas Base
January 2020
January 2020 Page 2
Table of Contents
============================= Creed ---------------------------------------- 1
Table of Contents ------------------------- 2
Points of Contact -------------------------- 2
Publication, Web Site, Base Mtg ------ 2
Links------------------------------------------ 3
Silent Running ----------------------------- 4
27MC Base Announcements ---------- 5
Base Commander’s Report --------- 5
Eternal Patrol --------------------------- 6
Attention Dues -------------------------- 7
Meeting Minutes------------------------ 7
Chaplain’s Corner---------------------- 7
Base Treasurer’s Report ------------- 8
Binnacle List----------------------------- 8
Kap(SS)4Kid(SS) ---------------------- 8
Calendar of Events -------------------- 8
Birthdays --------------------------------- 9
Membership ----------------------------- 9
Storekeeper Corner ------------------- 9
Underseas Warfare News -------------- 9
USSVI Official Business News ------ 13
History ------------------------------------- 14
Once Upon A Time --------------------- 15
Thoughts ---------------------------------- 15
Holy Humor ------------------------------- 16
Sea Stories ------------------------------- 16
2019 Christmas Social Pictures ----- 16
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USSVI National Commander
Wayne Standerfer 972-298-8139 [email protected]
USSVI National Senior Vice-Commander
Jon Jacques 615-893-7800 [email protected]
USSVI Central Regional District Commander
Tom Williams 512-632-9439 [email protected]
USSVI Central District 4 Commander
Bill Scott 512-826-8876 [email protected]
Central Texas Base Officers
Commander Rick Mitchell 512-639-0035 [email protected] Vice-Commander Gene Hall 512-864-2860 [email protected] Yeoman Frank Abernathy 512-426-3427 [email protected] Chief of the Boat Bill Scott 512-826-8876 [email protected] Treasurer Joe Keller 512-626-3202 [email protected] Base Support Appointments
Chaplain - Bob Steinmann 512-255-5250 [email protected] Memorial - Ray Wilgeroth, Sr 512-218-4077 [email protected] Storekeeper - David Paulson 512-940-1112 [email protected] Membership - Chuck Malone 512-694-5294 [email protected] Newsletter Editor - Bill Scott 512-826-8876 [email protected] Webmaster - Chuck Malone 512-694-5294 [email protected] Parade Chairman - Tom Sprague 858-755-6071 [email protected] K4K Chairman - Bill Strawser 512-923-6250 [email protected] Social Events - Vacant Fundraising- Don Atkins 512-508-1997 [email protected]
Editor’s Desk
The Deck Log is a monthly publication of the Central Texas Base, United States Submarine Veterans, Inc. It is delivered via email in Mi-crosoft Publisher PDF format to the Base Mem-bership. A copy is printed and mailed via USPS to those shipmates not having email.
Deck Log Editor
Harold W (Bill) Scott, STSCS (SS) USN Ret. Holland Club, Life Member USSVI Central District 4 Commander SS-242, SSN-612, SSN-595, SSN-596
512-826-8876
Web Site: www.ussvi.org/base/centraltexas.asp
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ussvicentraltexas/
Base Meetings - Base meetings are held on the third Wednes-day of the month at our Base Meeting house located at VFW Post 8587, 1000 N College St, Georgetown, TX 78626. We hold a quarterly social in lieu of a Base Meeting in March, June, Septem-ber and December.
January 2020 Page 3
National Information Sources
A listing of Internet information addresses of the various organizations as places to obtain information on national items of interest. Shipmates, you are invited to add to the list (just let me know via email of any you use), so over time it would become more comprehensive.
https://www.ussvi.org/home.asp http://www.ussvi.org/base/CentralTexas.asp http://www.csp.navy.mil/
http://www.navytimes.com/ http://www.navy.mil/swf/index.asp http://www.military.com/
http://www.med.navy.mil/pages/default.aspx http://www.fra.org/ http://defensetech.org/
http://www.subvetstore.com/index.php http://www.subforce.navy.mil/ http://www.vfw.org/
www.navyleagueaustin.org www.navyleague.org http://www.usni.org/
http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/n77.html www.military.com/military-report/ www.moaa.org
www.shiftcolors.navy.mil http://www.va.gov/
http://www.submarinesailor.com http://www.public.navy.mil/BUPERS-NPC/Pages/default.aspx
http://isausa.org/ WWW.DESIGNED4SUBMARINERS.COM http://www.dfas.mil/
http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ http://www.ausn.org/ https://www.facebook.com/ussvicentraltexas/
January 2020 Page 4
TOLLING OF THE BOATS – JANUARY
“I can assure you that they went down fighting and that their brothers who
survived them took a grim toll of our savage enemy to avenge their deaths.” Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, USN
We Remember For those who gave their lives in the defense of our country We Remember
USS Scorpion (SS-278)
Lost on Jan 5,1944 with the loss of 77 officers and men in the
East China Sea, on her 4th war patrol. It is assumed she was
sunk by a mine.
USS Argonaut (SS-166)
Lost on Jan 10, 1943 with the loss of 102 officers and men off
Rabaul, on her 3rd war patrol. While attacking a convoy, she
torpedoed a Jap destroyer who along with 2 other destroyers
depth charged her. As she tried to surface, the destroyers
sunk her by gun fire.
USS Swordfish (SS-193)
Lost on Jan 12, 1945 with the loss of 89 officers and men some-
where near Okinawa, on her 13th war patrol. Probably was lost
to a mine.
USS S-36 (SS-141)
Lost on Jan 20, 1942 with no loss of life, on her
2nd war patrol. She ran hard aground on a reef
and radioed for help. The entire crew was rescued
by a Dutch ship after they scuttled her.
USS S-26 (SS-131)
Lost on Jan 24, 1942 with the loss of 46 officers and men in
the Gulf of Panama, on her 2nd war patrol. She was
rammed by the USS PC-460 and sunk within seconds. The
CO, XO and one lookout on the bridge, were the only survi-
vors.
January 2020 Page 5
Happy New Year Shipmates!
Here we are looking at another “fresh start” so to speak. Not that we need a fresh start as you all know I believe 2019 was a banner year for the Central Texas Base but the past is the past. We can remember the events and stories and learn from our successes and failures, but we need to continue to move forward and use those experiences to build on the future. I am very excited to see where we go in 2020. The base is growing, and we have an energized group of folks bringing fresh and new ideas in to add to our already successful efforts.
This group of folks, you all, are who I would recognize and thank for all of your efforts. Without each one of you our base would be nothing more than just a
“title”, or “name” of some organization or club. We see organizations come and go and generally when they go it is because they failed to adapt or recognize their weaknesses and modify their prac-tices. We hear a lot about USSVI, and that the organization is dropping in numbers (I believe this is going to change) but here at our base we are growing at about 10% year. I really don’t think we are doing anything special other than we are being shipmates and others see that and want to be part of it. Last month I wrote:
But when it comes down to it, it really doesn’t matter where we meet, when we meet, and so on. I believe what makes us strong and has been fueling our recent growth is the relationships we are building with each other and becoming true shipmates. It’s those relationships that will make or break us and the organization.
Along with this, it is getting out in the community and letting others know who we are and when you combine the 2 you have a winning recipe. Looking forward to more of the same in 2020 and the years to come. Please let me know any ideas you have that you think we should consider, and they will always be brought up for discussion. We are looking at trying to have a Central District 4 (CD4) function this year and hopefully turn it into an annual event for Texas Bases. This year’s 1
st event,
we still need a name, will be held in Corsicana, TX on the weekend of Armed Forces Day in May this year. We have commitments from most of the Texas bases to have some attendance there and we will participate in the parade, 3 submarine floats so far, and a campfire cookout event Saturday after-noon and evening. Details coming soon. I am also looking forward to our new relationship we are forging with the Georgetown VFW and hope we can find ways to work together for the betterment of both our organizations.
I want to close this month with recognition for a couple of our charter members who have been serv-ing our base for many years. They both have been longtime members of the E-board and active in many areas of the base but have decided to step down and allow new people into the positions. Bill Brinkman has been our Vice Commander and Bob Steinman our Base Yeoman for many years and have both done an outstanding job! It would be wrong for me to not mention their wives also, Lin Brinkman and Gladys Steinman for all the support they have provided both their husbands and the base. Thank You so much for all your efforts and Bravo Zulu for a job Well Done! I’d like to wel-come our new Vice Commander and Base Yeoman, Gene Hall and Frank Abernathy, you guys got some big shoes to fill but we know you are up to it. Lastly, congratulations to our 2019 Sailor of the Year, Hubert Jackson!
Thank You for everything each one of you do!
Rick Mitchell [email protected] 512-639-0035 2000 CR 100 Georgetown, TX 78626 USSVI Central Texas Base Facebook Page
January 2020 Page 6
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Lt Charles H “Tim” McCoy
Charles H “Tim” McCoy passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2019. He was born in San Angelo, Texas in 1924 to J Harrell McCoy and Capitola Boat-wright and moved at an early age to Dalhart. From there, his family moved to Lubbock and then to Dallas. After graduating from High School in 1941, Tim enlisted in the US Navy in November 1941 going thru basic training in San Die-go, CA. He retired in 1965 as an Officer having served in submarines, subma-rine rescue vessels, submarine tenders, deep sea diver training officer and sub-marine support activities of the Pacific Fleet. During his career, he was awarded 16 medals of citations including the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
When Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941, Tim was immediately shipped to Pearl Harbor arriving 5 days after the bombing. He was assigned aboard the USS Trout (SS-202) and on its 2
nd War Patrol from January – March 1942 with a volunteer crew sailed for Corregidor in the Philippines carrying a
heavy load of anti-aircraft ammunition urgently needed by the beleaguered forces of General Douglas MacArthur. Over 2 nights, the crew unloaded the ammunition to help defend the Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor. The crew then load-ed 20 tons of gold, silver and securities of the Philippine government's treasury and successfully returned to Pearl Har-bor. Tim and the crew were awarded the Silver Star (Army Award) “for gallantry in action and participation in the ac-complishment of an unusual and hazardous mission for the War Department in enemy-controlled waters” along with Presidential Unit Citations from both the Navy and Army.
Subsequently, Tim was re-assigned to the USS Grenadier (SS-210). During its 6th
War Patrol, while hunting in the Strait of Malacca, Grenadier was discovered on April 20, 1943, attacked and damaged by enemy aircraft. Losing all power and lighting, the submarine sank and settled at the bottom at 270 feet while leaking badly and fires burning. Af-ter nearly a day of laying on the bottom and against all odds, the crew was able to contain the damage to sufficiently raise the sub but was vulnerable on the surface and unable to dive. Two Japanese ships headed towards them while an enemy plane attacked the stricken submarine. The crew scuttled the boat and were picked up by the Japanese and taken to Penang, Malay States, where they were questioned, beaten, given the “water cure” torture and starved before being sent to other prison camps in Singapore and Japan. Throughout the war working as slave labor, Tim and the crew suffered brutal, inhumane treatment, and their refusal to reveal military information both frustrated and angered their captors.
Tim’s deep religious faith kept him going thru these horrendous years as a POW. Upon his liberation at the end of the war, he never held a grudge towards the Japanese people as he stated they were only doing what their government instructed. In fact, he strongly believed in reconciliation and forgiveness. Tim often quoted “To forgive is to set the pris-oner free only to discover the prisoner was you”. For the torture and suffering endured, he received the Purple Heart.
At his retirement ceremony at Sub Base Pearl Harbor, Rear Admiral E.B. Fluckey presented Tim with a commendation which read in part “His motivation, dedication and loyalty has been recognized by many Unit Commanders of all of the Armed Forces and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.”
Tim owned an insurance agency from 1950 – 1965 and maintained the agency throughout his distinguished naval ca-reer. After retiring in 1965, he helped found a life insurance company and was also marketing director for several oth-ers including National Western Life here in Austin. In 1973, he established NEAT Management Group which has grown to be one of the most successful national insurance brokerage firms in the industry.
Tim was a Mason for over 70 years being a member of the Blue Lodge, York Rite and Shrine. He helped organize and served as the first Commander of the Texas Capitol City Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War. Tim also help found several churches over his lifetime including Austin Baptist Church and served as a deacon. He has spoken to groups all around the United States on motivation and especially enjoyed speaking in school systems teaching children freedom is not free. Tim has been an inspiration and mentor to many of all ages while living a life of generosity and giving himself away to others. His motto was “press onward and upward”.
Tim is survived by his beloved and devoted wife Jean whom he married in 1946 and have had 73 wonderful years to-gether, his son Tim J McCoy & wife Mara, grandchildren including Aaron McCoy & wife Wendy, Shea McCoy & wife Amy, Ryder McCoy, Caree’ Gordon & husband Andy and great grandchild Jeremiah Gordon. Tim was predeceased by his oldest son Bob C. “Chuck” McCoy.
Tim’s family extends their heartfelt love and gratitude to Janie Nowak for her devoted care the last 5 years, the many friends who visited him often and the staff at Westminster’s Arbour Health Center. Graveside service will be held on Friday, January 3, 2020 at 9 AM at the Texas State Cemetery, 909 Navasota St., Austin TX 78702. A memorial service will follow on January 3, 2020 at 11 AM at Austin Baptist Church, 7016 Ribelin Ranch Dr, Austin, TX 78750. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tim’s honor to Austin Baptist Church or Shriners Hospitals for Chil-dren.
January 2020 Page 7
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Payable by 12/31/2019
After 12/31/19, you are on the Dink List
Dues not paid before 2/1/20 are considered lapsed and the member will be dropped. “So ante up, on-time, and let’s get 100% renewal this year.
Annual Base dues are $15, National dues are $25. There are options to pay for multiple years for National: 5 yr term $115, 3 yr term $70 and National Life: 76+ years $100, 66-70 years $200, 56-65 years $300, 46-55 years $400 and through 45 years $500.
Base multiple year options are one half of National’s multiple options including Life Dues.
Plan ahead and send your dues renewal now. Checks need to be payable to USSVI Central Texas Base and .can be paid at Base meetings or mailed to the Base Treasurer, Joe Keller, at: 2313 Oxford Blvd, Round Rock, TX 78664-7356 Payment by Credit Card is also available to members by contacting him by phone.
MEETING MINUTES
7 December 2019 Annual Christmas Social of the USSVI Central Texas Base
From a USSVI Central Texas Base Facebook Post
Last Saturday we held our annual Christmas Party. It was a pot luck as usual and hosted by Bill and Lin Brinkman. We had 40 in attendance including shipmates, family and guests. The flu is starting to hit hard and kept a few away. Get well soon folks. There was more food than we could all eat and all sorts of good conversation. A couple of door prizes were given out to Carla Mitchell and Libby Amato. Our new base officers were announced: Gene Hall will be our next Vice Commander and Frank Abernathy will be our Base Yeoman. The Sailor of the Year was chosen and the winner was Hu-bert Jackson. Great job Hubert and all of our other deserving candidates! This is the last scheduled event for 2019 and it has been a great year thanks to everyone's efforts. Looking forward to 2020! Merry Christmas to everyone!
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CHAPLAIN’S CORNER ===========================================
*Attention* 2020 USSVI Dues *Attention*
January 2020 Page 8
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BASE TREASURER’S REPORT 20 December 2019
Wells Fargo (Checking Account) Randolph Brooks (Memorial Fund)
Beginning Balance 11-1-2019 $10,025.97 Beginning Balance 11-1-2019 $1,808.86 Deposits $5,452.20 Deposits $98.31 Withdrawals and Fees $650.00 Withdrawals and Fees $0.00 Ending Balance 11-30-2019 $14,828.17 Ending Balance 11-30-2019 $1,907.17
Total cash on hand
Both accounts 11-30-2019 $16,735.34
Submitted: Joe Keller, Treasurer
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BINNACLE LIST Please keep us informed of any person who should be listed. These are the people that we know about, so please e-mail any E-Board member if you know of any member or his family that might be in crisis. Also please keep the Base Chap-lain, Shipmate Bob Steinmann informed as well.
Shipmate Hubert Jackson had results from a biopsy come back and they are positive for Prostate Cancer. The plan from here on to let things heal from the biopsy then have surgery in 4-5 weeks to remove prostrate. Doctor tells him he feels like there is 85% chance they it all. Hubert says he and Linda are doing OK but of course have the usual concerns with a diagnosis like this.
Shipmate Larry Walts also has been going through some struggles. At the Christmas party Rick learned that they discov-ered a mass growing around his Aorta. Tests since then have verified it is a B Cell Lymphoma and he is going in for more tests and discussions. He is being told it is curable and he will likely need Chemo but no radiation. He will know more in a week or so. He also states he and Sandra are staying positive and have support from family and friend in the area.
We ask Lord in your Son’s Name that you be with our Brother’s and Sister’s who are sick and ask that you hold them in your arms and heal them so that they might again join us around our table. In your Son’s name, We pray, Amen.
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KAP(SS) 4 KID(SS) Bill also reports that he and his team are continuing to reach out to Baylor Scott & White McLane Chil-dren’s Hospital in Temple and to the Dell Children’s Hospital here in Austin and would like to have Ship-mates that haven’t made a visit for K4K to join him. If you ever have the chance to attend one of these events I highly encourage you to do so. It really means a lot to bring a little something different into the lives of the kids and their families, even if for only a brief time. It’s a period where they don’t have to think about whatever it is they are facing. A breath of fresh air, a little bit of being normal, some hope. We will be trying to arrange a few more of these events this year.
Shipmate Bill Strawser, Chair, Kap(SS)4Kid(SS)
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS 3 January 2020, Eternal Patrol Ceremony, Shipmate Lt Tim McCoy, Texas State Cemetery, 909 Navasota St., Austin TX 78702. A memorial service will follow on January 3, 2020 at 11 AM at Austin Baptist Church, 7016 Ribelin Ranch Dr, Austin, TX 78750.
6 January 2020, 1000 Hours, CTB E-Board meeting, Lamppost Coffee, 1205 Round Rock Ave, Round Rock, TX 78681
15 January 2020, Monthly meeting Central Texas Base, VFW Post #8587, 1000 N College St., Georgetown, TX 78626, 1800 for movie time, 1900 meeting.
19 February 2020, Monthly meeting Central Texas Base, VFW Post #8587, 1000 N College St., Georgetown, TX 78626, 1800 for movie time, 1900 meeting.
21 March 2020, Quarterly Social, Time and location TBD.
25 April 2020, Red Poppy Festival Parade, Georgetown, TX 78626, Time TBD.
January 2020 Page 9
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The following selected articles are part of Undersea Warfare News weekly news bulletin emails during the month of December 2019. “No content is created in the production of this Newsletter. These press clips and broadcast summaries are collected from multiple sources and are prepared by the command public affairs office to inform key personnel of news items of interest to them in their offi-cial capacities. It is not intended to be a substitute for newspapers, periodicals or public affairs programming as a means of keeping informed on news developments. Article selection or distribution does not imply endorsement and cannot be guaranteed for accura-cy. Further reproduction for private use or gain is subject to original copyright restrictions.”
http://www.subforce.navy.mil/
JANUARY 2020
BIRTHDAYS
David Paulson - 2nd
Fred Maass - 17th Robert Slobod - 20th
MEMBERSHIP
Report presented to Base Commander w/copy to Yeoman.
Members listed in Central Texas Database 73
Regular Annual Members listed in Central Texas Database 27
Associate members w/paid Base and National dues 1 Central Texas Base Life Members 27 Central Texas Base National Life Members 33 Members in Holland Club 33 Dual Members 4 Prospective Members: 1 War Veterans 63 Members pending: 0
Submitted: Chuck Malone, Membership
STOREKEEPER CORNER
The Central Texas Base (CTB) Supply Store is open for business. The Supply Store can obtain most of the items you need for memorabilia, your vest, gifts for others, etc. You can order them from the Storekeeper at a meeting or online at [email protected]. CTB can often get items at a lower than normal price, so you save money. The SK can search the net to find out-of-the-ordinary items, for all branches of the service. When requesting a ship’s patch, tell the SK which coast you served on board, as the patches are often different for each coast. The following items are now available in Ship’s Store:
Base Ball Caps $12.00
Buckles, Dolphin $18.00
Buckles, Plain $10.00
License Plate Holder (Chrome) $10.00
License Plate Holder (Blue Plastic) $4.00
Stars for Pins $1.85
24 oz Glass mugs $15.00
12 oz Glass mugs 12.00
Parking Sign $20.00
Decals (Outside window) (four styles) $3.00
Black Leather Vest, Sub Vet Embossed $65.00
USSVI 50th Anniversary Patch and Coin set. Patch and coin purchased separately are $22.
$20.00
2020 USSVI Calendars $10.00
Sub Vet Embossed T-Shirts (Limited qty & size) $18.00
Sub Vet Embossed Denim Jackets (Limited qty & size) $31.00
Various T-Shirts $18.00
Boomer Patrol Pin $7.00
Patches (many) $6.00
Golden Anchor Patches $3.00
Dolphins (large) $8.00
Dolphins (medium) $5.00
Vests w/patch $38.00
Vest Clips (shiny or oxidized) $30.00
Koozies $5.00
Web Belts $7.00
January 2020 Page 10
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CNO Message To The Force: We Must Be Protectors And Exemplify Our Values
Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, December 2
Mission one for every Sailor — active and reserve, uniformed and civilian — is the operational readiness of today’s Na-vy. That means being ready both in our personal and professional lives — and part of that readiness is continuing to hold ourselves to high ideals of integrity and service.
Reflecting on my first three months as chief of naval operations, I want each and every Sailor to think about who we are as a Navy and the constitutional oath we commit ourselves to. That oath is what binds us together. It is the foundation of our profession. It is our north star. It defines us.
It is no overstatement to say that naval service requires deeper and broader knowledge than it ever has before. You must summon all your energy to ensure that we are ready to fight today; not tomorrow, not in some distant future but today. That all starts with good order and discipline at every level of the chain of command.
To be clear, we must be men and women of integrity. We must be honorable. We must be standard-bearers. We must be above reproach. And we must not give anyone cause to question our fundamental values. That is what sets us apart as a fighting force.
Leaders, I am counting on you. I expect commanders at every level to epitomize integrity and exemplify our core values at all times. Senior enlisted leaders, I expect you to anchor up and show your Sailors what right looks like on the deck-plates, day-in and day-out. And I expect every Sailor to display the character and honor that has always defined our Na-vy. These ideals are central to who we are.
The responsibility for ethical and professional behavior must be taken seriously — and we must own it at every level. We must be protectors and exemplify our values.
I’m counting on each of you to set a strong personal example of responsible behavior, both on and off duty.
While there is much work to be done, the tenacity and ingenuity of our Sailors will take us where we need to go — and do so at a flank bell.
See you in the fleet.
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Navy Awards Block V Virginia-Class Submarine Contract
Program Executive Office Submarines Public Affairs, December 2
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Naval Sea Systems Command awarded a nine-ship -- eight with Virginia Payload Module (VPM) -- Block V contract to General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) Dec. 2. The contract includes an option for one additional submarine with VPM. The Block V contract is a $22.2-billion fixed-price incentive fee, multi-year procurement contract for fiscal years 2019 through 2023.
"Our submarine force is fundamental to the power and reach of our integrated naval force," said acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas B. Modly. "Today's announcement affirms our commitment to the future strength of our nation, undersea and around the world."
"I am very proud of the government, shipbuilder and supplier team as the Navy awards the Virginia Block V multi-year contract today," said James F. Geurts, assistant
secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition. "This team developed a Block V multi-year contract which provides significant increases in lethality and performance for the fleet to support the National Defense Strategy while also ensuring we are maximizing the use of taxpayer dollars. The multi-year contract also provides the stability needed in this critical industrial base to ensure we can continue to maintain our competitive advantage in undersea war-fare while also providing a solid foundation for the Columbia program to build upon."
"Block V Virginias and Virginia Payload Module are a generational leap in submarine capability for the Navy," said Pro-gram Executive Officer for Submarines Rear Adm. David Goggins. "These design changes will enable the fleet to main-tain our nation's undersea dominance."
The Block V contract continues the Virginia class's teaming arrangement between prime contractor GDEB in Groton, Connecticut, and the major subcontractor, Huntington Ingalls Industries' Newport News Shipbuilding division (HII-NNS) in Newport News, Virginia. Block V submarines will incorporate acoustic superiority design changes to maintain under-sea dominance on all Block V hulls and the VPM, with four large payload tubes in a new hull section on eight subma-rines, increasing Tomahawk strike capacity from 12 to 40 missiles per boat to maintain undersea strike capacity with the expected retirement of the Navy's four guided-missile submarines and providing future payload flexibility.
"The Block V contract balances the right mix of undersea quantity and capability with a profile that continues to stabilize the industrial base. This balance and stability will enable the success of submarine acquisitions across the enterprise," said Virginia Class Program Manager Capt. Christopher Hanson. "Our warfighters, the Navy, and the nation will benefit greatly from the new capabilities that the Block V submarines will bring to the fleet."
The Block V contract is the culmination of substantial collaboration between the Navy and shipbuilders.
"The Navy and shipbuilders worked together to produce a contract that is both fair and reasonable to the Navy, taxpay-ers and industry," said Goggins.
To date, the Navy has taken delivery of 18 Virginia-class submarines, and all 10 Block IV submarines are under con-
January 2020 Page 11
struction. Contract delivery of the first Block V submarine is FY 2025.
Virginia-class submarines are built to dominate the world's littoral and deep waters while conducting anti-submarine warfare; anti-surface-ship warfare; strike warfare; special operations forces support; intelligence, surveillance and re-connaissance; irregular warfare and mine warfare missions. Their inherent stealth, endurance, mobility and firepower directly enable them to support five of the six maritime strategy core capabilities: sea control, power projection, forward presence, maritime security and deterrence.
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Gilday: Fleet Commanders Ought To ‘Drive The Fight’
Richard R. Burgess, Seapower Magazine, December 8
WASHINGTON —The new chief of naval operations (CNO) is planning on a return to large fleet exercises and plans to hold them annually, part of an initiative to conduct fleet-level naval warfare in an era of great power competition.
In his Fragmentation Order (“Frago”) 01/2019, a refinement of his predecessors Design for Maritime Security 2.0, Adm. Mike Gilday called for a mastery of fleet-level warfare, noting that “fleet design and operating concepts demand that fleets be the operational center of warfare.”
At the Dec. 5 U.S. Naval Institute’s Defense Forum in Washington, Gilday said that fleet commanders ought to “drive the fight.”
In the Frago, Gilday said the Navy “will learn from fleet battle problems and the Large-Scale Exercise (LSE) 2020, then restore annual LSEs as the means by which we operate, train and experiment with large force elements. Fleet exercises will be led by fleet commanders leveraging operational concepts like Distributed Maritime Operations, Expeditionary Ad-vanced Base Operations, and Littoral Operations in a Contested Environment.
“Combined with wargaming, the exercises will serve as the key opportunity for experimentation and the development and testing of alternative concepts,” he wrote. “These exercises and experiments will inform doctrine and tactics; future fleet headquarters requirements, capacity and size; and investments in future platforms and capabilities. As we develop our plans for future LSEs, we will leverage experience from Combatant Command, Joint and other service exercises to better prepare the Navy to integrate, support and lead the Joint Force in a future fight.”
Gilday said at the forum that “fleet commanders ought to own the physical and virtual battlespace that they are responsi-ble for and then drive the fight.”
“In order to be able to fight as a fleet, we can’t continue to use strike groups and ARGs [amphibious ready groups] around the world in these constabulary positions,” he said. “As some point, you’re going to have to bring together the garage band and make it work at the fleet level. Then we have to exercise as a fleet.”
The CNO noted that the Navy has invested in maritime operations centers at fleet headquarters.
“These are a great capability that give that fleet commander the ability to fight,” he said. “We need to do more than war-gaming; we need to exercise it. The only way to do that is with iron out there at scale.”
Gilday said the LSEs will involve several strike groups — carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups — and will be run from the fleet level.
For the 2020 LSE, he also plans to introduce an information warfare cell inside the fleet maritime operations center to conduct cyber and influence operations.
Lessons learned from the exercises will be used to inform budget submissions for fiscal 2023.
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The U.S. Navy’s New Orca Drone Submarine Could Get Offensive Role
H I Sutton, Forbes, December 17
The U.S. Navy's Boeing Orca underwater drone could play an offensive role in future conflicts. Writing in the highly regarded U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) blog, retired Commander Brian Dulla argues that the U.S. Navy should invest in mine laying capabilities. It's an arena where large drones like the Orca could have advantages.
Mine warfare feels neglected in the popular defense media. It may be perceived as old-fashioned or uninteresting. The reality can be quite different. Put yourself in the mind of a captain whose ship has just strayed into a minefield. Or the EOD (explosive ordnance disposal) diver sent to defuse the mines. Even low tech or vintage mines pose a very real threat to modern navies.
Commander Dulla's mine proposal is innovative. Yet like many good ideas it will seem obvious when you read it. He proposes to combines the range, autonomy and flexibility of a UUV (unmanned underwater vehicle) with the warhead of a mine. This allows it to be used as a moored mine that can propel itself into position, keeping the launch platform far from harms way. It could also be used as an extra slow torpedo to target ships in harbor. Be-cause of its combined features Dulla terms this concept the ‘moor-pedo.’
At the same time, underwater drones are a hot topic for the Navy. It's a natural pairing because mine laying is dan-gerous to perform, especially in the enemy's back yard. Aircraft, ships or submarines are put in harm's way and distracted from their primary purposes. Crewless platforms mitigate some of the inherent risks involved.
Although unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) have become a common sight on the battlefield, development has been slower in the undersea domain. And until now the majority of UUVs used by navies have been very small. To lay a
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minefield a UUV would have to be much larger, large enough to carry a useful number of mines.
Not surprisingly the U.S. is the first sea power to start building extra-large unmanned underwater vehicles
(XLUUVs). But other navies are also entering the arena,
including Britain and Japan. And China, Russia, and South Korea also have large UUV projects.
Dulla proposes that the Navy’s large-displacement drones (LDUUV) could be employed. The Orca design will
be even larger and therefore could patrol further and could carry more. The Orca is up to 85 feet long, an order of magnitude larger than anything else out there as the moment. It has a flexible payload section which is large enough to carry multiple torpedo sized payloads. Initially these could be smaller UUVs. In the future they could be Tomahawk cruise missiles, or as the USNI article implies, mines.
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General Dynamics Wins Contract to Continue Navy Submarine Fire Control Systems Modernization, Mainte-nance
Seapower Magazine, December 19
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The U.S. Navy awarded a contract to General Dynamics Mission Systems that continues a broad scope of work for fire control systems and subsystems aboard U.S. Navy and United Kingdom ’s Royal Navy nu-clear ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN), the company said in a release.
The contract has a total potential value of $299.9 million over the next four years. The omnibus contract is a follow-on to a contract awarded to General Dynamics in December 2015 for the development, production, installation and de-ployed systems support of U.S. and U.K. Trident II submarine strategic weapons systems and subsystems.
General Dynamics Mission Systems’ Maritime and
Strategic Systems line of business will deliver support and modernization of the existing SSBN strategic weapon system including fire control subsystem installation, maintenance, sustainment, training and repairs to navigation and launch subsystems.
The company also will continue development of the fire control system for the U.S Navy’s Columbia class subma-rine and the Royal Navy’s Dreadnought class ballistic-missile submarine. Work on the development and sustain-ment of the Navy’s Ohio-class guided-missile submarine attack weapon control system is also part of the contract. Most of the work in support of this contract will take place here.
“Our support for the Navy’s strategic deterrent program spans nearly six decades and forms the foundation of our U.S. Navy business,” said Carlo Zaffanella, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics Mission Sys-tems’ maritime and strategic systems business. “Continuing the work we have done on existing Ohio SSBN fire control systems and the development of the fire control system for the Navy’s newest fleet of submarines demon-strates our ongoing relationship, built on trust, partnership and innovation, with the U.S. and U.K. naval forces.”
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William F. Bundy, 1st black enlisted man to rise to sub commander
Mark Reynolds, The Providence Journal, December 17
William F. Bundy, a longtime Naval War College professor and associate provost, who was the first black to rise from the U.S. Navy’s enlisted ranks to take command of a submarine, has died.
Bundy, also a former director of the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, died of a heart attack on Sunday, ac-cording to Mike Ritz, of Leadership Rhode Island.
“The community impact on Rhode Island is significant,” said Ritz.
Bundy “mentored many to success, particularly those in the African-American community,” Ritz said. “It's rare that a military officer is so intimately linked to community as Dr. Bundy was.”
Bundy started out as an enlisted sailor with sonar expertise. He served on submarines in the depths of the Cold War between the U.S. and Soviet Union.
He served as an assistant weapons officer on the USS Sam Houston as the sub carried out patrols to deter the Soviets, according to the TheHistoryMakers.org
In 1988, he took command of the USS Barbel in Sasebo, Japan, and conducted exercises in the Western Pacific. Later, he directed the U.S. Naval Officer Candidate School in 1994. He retired from the Navy in 1994 at the rank of commander.
Along the way, he earned undergraduate degrees as well as a master’s degree in national security and strategic studies from the U.S. Naval War College.
He received his doctor of philosophy from Salve Regina University in 2005.
At the Naval War College, he served as the chair of the Warfare Analysis and Research Department. He focused on the challenge of integrating technology in the Navy.
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Bundy was an adjunct professor and lecturer at Providence College, where he taught leadership, business organi-zation and ethics courses.
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USSVI OFFICIAL BUSINESS
These USSVI news articles , now known as National Bulletins, are published to benefit those shipmates that receive their newsletter via USPS and are articles published during November 2019. Editor
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USSVI OFFICIAL BUSINESS: SubVet News - #2019-076
NEWS-01: USSV-CF message
Submitted by: John E. Markiewicz, President, USSV-CF on 12/16/2019
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Shipmates,
Your United States Submarine Veterans Charitable Foundation wishes you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We ask that you consider a donation to the USSV-CF or one of its funds when you are doing your charitable giv-ing this Christmas Season. The US Submarine Veterans Charitable Foundation is an I.R.S. approved 501(c) (3) charita-ble foundation and our tax identification number is 95-4830806.
JOHN E. MARKIEWICZ PRESIDENT, USSV-CF
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USSVI OFFICIAL BUSINESS: SubVet News - #2019-077
NEWS-01: December 2019 USSVI VSO News
Submitted by: John Dudas, USSVI VSO on 12/17/2019
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Shipmates,
Use CTRL + click Enter to access all articles in BLUE
Thousands of Tricare Patients Billed 100 Times More Than Premium in Glitch
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/12/05/thousands-tricare-patients-billed-100-times-more-premium-glitch.htm
Veterans with Base Access Still Face Delays on New Commissary Benefit
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/12/03/veterans-base-access-still-face-delays-new-commissary-benefit.html
2020 Military Pay Dates
https://www.military.com/benefits/military-pay/military-pay-dates.html
Tricare Drug Costs to Increase More Than 40% in 2020
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/10/03/tricare-drug-costs-increase-more-40-2020.html?ESRC=
VA Releases Survivors Quick Start Guide
Reference guide to help during final arrangements planning
https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/63171/va-releases-survivors-quick-start-guide
VA strengthens Caregiver Support Program
https://www.blogs.va.gov/VAntage/66762/va-strengthens-caregiver-support-program/
Here's the Guest Policy for Newly Eligible Commissary and Exchange Shoppers
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/12/13/heres-guest-policy-newly-eligible-commissary-and-exchange-shoppers.html
'Widow's Tax' to Be Eliminated by 2023 in Proposed Defense Budget
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/12/10/widows-tax-be-eliminated-2023-proposed-defense-budget.html
Defense Budget Would Allow Pentagon to Pay Military Medical Malpractice Claims
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/12/10/defense-budget-would-allow-pentagon-pay-military-medical-malpractice-claims.html
Veterans Can Attend Their VA Claims Hearings at Home Starting Next Year
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https://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/12/11/veterans-can-attend-their-va-claims-hearings-home-starting-next-year.html
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USSVI OFFICIAL BUSINESS: SubVet News - #2019-078
NEWS-01: 2020 Awards Manual
Submitted by: Ray Wewers, National Secretary on 12/20/2019
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Shipmates,
The 2020 USSVI AWARDS MANUAL is now posted on the USSVI website at: https://www.ussvi.org/Documents/Online_Manuals_2020_USSVI_Awards_Manual.pdf
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USSVI OFFICIAL BUSINESS: SubVet News - #2019-079
NEWS-01: ‘Holiday Wishes
Submitted by: Wayne Standerfer, USSVI National Commander on 12/24/2019
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Shipmates,
The USSVI National Board of Directors would like to wish all our Brothers of the Phin and their families a very “Merry Christmas”, “Happy Hanukkah” and a great “New Year” during this season of giving and celebration in hopes that you have warm fires, bright homes, calm seas and that every wish be granted.
All the Best, Wayne Standerfer NC
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The following selected history articles are part of Undersea Warfare News weekly news bulletin emails during the month of November 2019. This day in Undersea Warfare History
http://www.subforce.navy.mil/
December 2, 1944 | USS Sea Devil (SS 400) attacks a Japanese convoy in the East China Sea and sinks merchant tanker Akigawa Maru and passenger-cargo ship Hawaii Maru, while USS Gunnel (SS 253) evacuates 11 rescued avia-tors from Palawan, Philippines and turns over all available stores to Filipino forces ashore.
December 3, 1943 | USS Tinosa (SS 283) sinks the Palau-bound Japanese fleet tanker Azuma Maru northwest of Son-sorol.
December 4, 1944 | USS Flasher (SS 249) sinks Japanese destroyer Kishinami and damages a merchant ship in the South China Sea. Flasher is the only U.S. submarine to sink more than 100,000 tons of enemy shipping in World War II.
December 5, 1943 | USS Narwhal (SS 167) embarks nine evacuees at Alubijid, Mascalar Bay and then sinks Japanese cargo ship Himeno Maru off Camiguin Island.
December 6, 1941 | President Franklin D. Roosevelt sends a letter to the Japanese emperor reminding the Japanese leader of their country's long-standing relationship and his concern about developments occurring in the Pacific area.
December 9, 1941 | USS Swordfish (SS 193) makes initial U.S. submarine attack on Japanese ship, torpedoing a ship 150 miles west of Manila. Her claim of sinking, though, is not confirmed in enemy records.
December 10, 1843 | The first steam ship with screw propeller, Princeton, is launched. In 1844, its guns explode during a demonstration and kill Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur, Secretary of the Navy Thomas Gilmer and several others.
December 11, 1941 | The United States declares war on Germany and Italy.
December 12, 1942 | Five torpedo boats attack 11 Japanese destroyers off Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal. Motor torpe-do boats PT 37 and PT 40 sink Japanese destroyer Terutsuki. In return, the Japanese destroyers Kawakaze and Suzu-kaze sink PT 44 off Savo Island.
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December 13, 1775 | The Continental Congress provides for the construction of five ships of 32 guns, five ships of 28 guns, and three ships of 24 guns at an estimated cost of $866,666. The ships are Hancock, Randolph, Raleigh, Warren, Washington, Congress, Effingham, Providence, Trumbull, Virginia, Boston, Delaware, and Montgomery.
December 16, 1944 | USS Swordfish (SS 193) attacks a Japanese convoy south of Hainan Island and sinks Japanese army transport Atsutasan Maru.
December 17, 1917 | USS Remlik (SP 157) reportedly encounters an enemy submarine during a storm in the Bay of Biscay, but the weather prevents an engagement. While she is fighting the heavy seas that day, a depth charge breaks loose on her after deck and is secured by Chief Boatswain's Mate John MacKenzie, who receives the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions.
December 18, 1943 | USS Aspro (SS 309) attacks a Japanese convoy in Sakishima Gunto, damaging fleet tankers Sa-rawak Maru and Tenei Maru, and escapes counter attacks by destroyer Shoikaze. Meanwhile, USS Grayback (SS 208) sinks Japanese freighter Gyokurei Maru east-northeast of Naha, Okinawa and escapes counter attacks by destroyer Numakaze.
December 19, 1941 | The U.S. Naval Academy class of 1942 graduates six months early due to the nation's entry into World War II.
December 20, 1941 | Adm. Ernest J. King is announced as the designated Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet, in charge of all operating naval fleets and coastal frontier forces, reporting directly to the President.
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Do you have a short story, food for thought, or funny story to share? Let me know at [email protected]
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Nine Important Facts To Remember As We Grow Older:
#9 Death is the number 1 killer in the world.
#8 Life is sexually transmitted.
#7 Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
#6 Men have 2 motivations: hunger and hanky panky, and they can't tell them apart. If you see a gleam in his eyes, make him a sandwich
#5 Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day. Teach a person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks, months, maybe years unless you give them your email address.
#4 Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in the hospital, dying of nothing.
#3 All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
#2 In the 60's, people took LSD to make the world weird. Now the world is weird, and people take Prozac to make it nor-mal.
#1 Life is like a jar of jalapeno peppers. What you do today may be a burning issue tomorrow.
Please share this wisdom with others while I go to the bathroom.
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Mothers of Men – Greatest Battle
"The greatest battle that's ever been fought, Shall I tell you where, and when? On the maps of the world you will find it not, It is fought by the Mothers of men.
"No, not with cannon or rifle shot, Or sword, or nobler pen
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And not with wonderful word or thought From the mouths of wonderful men.
"But deep in a walled-up woman's heart. A woman who would not yield. But bravely, silently bore her part, Lo, there is that battlefield.
"No marshaling troops, No bivouac song, No banners to gleam and wave. And Oh, that battle, it takes so long, From baby-hood to the grave."
Written by Joaquin Miller 1985
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Holy Humor
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God's Plan for Aging...
Most seniors never get enough exercise. In His wisdom God decreed that seniors become forgetful so they would have to search for their glasses, keys and other things thus doing more walking. And God looked down and saw that it was good.
Then God saw there was another need. In His wisdom He made seniors lose coordination so they would drop things requiring them to bend, reach & stretch. And God looked down and saw that it was good.
Then God considered the function of bladders and decided seniors would have additional calls of nature requiring more trips to the bathroom, thus providing more exercise. God looked down and saw that it was good.
So if you find as you age, you are getting up and down more, remember it's God's will. It is all in your best interest even though you mutter under your breath.
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Sea Stories
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Do you have sea stories to share? Please send them to me for future Deck Logs. Your Editor, [email protected]
When trying to upload another sea story from the www.olgoat.com (After Battery) website, It no longer is available and
explanation was provided. Henceforth I’ll be reaching out to fellow Base Shipmates to send me sea stories, and I know
you all have them stored away in that locker we call a brain. LOL
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CTB Annual Christmas Social Pictures
12/7/2019
The following pictures were provided via Facebook posts from Rick Mitchell and Phone camera shots from Linda Jack-son.
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