Honoring the United States Navy Submarine

Force on it's 100th Anniversary.

 

 

31 Oct 1999 08:58:07 -0500

From: Frank Gonzalez <frankgz@infi.net>

To: glwalker@inreach.com, floresmv@aol.com, dntg66a@prodigy.com,

nestore@prodigy.net

HON. Sam Gejdenson of Connecticut in the House of Representatives -

Monday, October 25, 1999

Mr. GEJDENSON:Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate members

of the United States Navy Submarine Force as the U.S. Postal Service

unveils a series of stamps which pay tribute to the Force for ``A Century

of Service to America.''

Earlier today, I was privileged to join the Postal Service, the U.S. Navy

and veterans from across eastern Connecticut in introducing these

stamps, which commemorate the Centennial of the Submarine Force.

In this series, we can witness the stunning progress we have made

from the Navy's first submarine--the U.S.S. Holland--to the Ohio and

Los Angeles Class submarines of the late Twentieth century. However,

these stamps honor much more than technological prowess. They

remind us of the selflessservice of tens of thousands of veterans who

patrolled the depths of the world's oceans guaranteeing victory over

tyranny and security for all Americans.

``A Century of Service to America'' is a fitting theme for the Submarine

Force. ``A Century'' recognizes the magnitude of the anniversary.

Nearly a century ago, the Navy took ownership of its first submarine,

the U.S.S. Holland. Since then, 648 submarines have entered the force--

nearly half of which have been build in Groton, Connecticut, also known

as the Submarine Capital of the World.''

Our submarines have become technological marvels, the crown jewels

of our nation's fleet. Consider how far we've come: the mighty Ohio

class submarines are nearly as wide as the Holland was long!

Today, our best and brightest are working to get the next generations

of submarines, the Seawolf and Virginia Class subs, into the fleet.

These will be the quietest and the most advanced submarines ever

launched giving their crews an almost limitless range of new capabilities.

``Service'' is a tribute to our submariners who risked their lives,

everyone who supported their efforts, and the men and women who

designed and built five generations of submarines. Over the past one

hundred years, 400,000 men and women have either served aboard

submarines or provided mission support. Over 3,500 veterans of the

Submarine Force have made the supreme sacrifice for their country.

Veterans of the Submarine Force during World War II paid the highest

price in lives lost.

Admiral Chester A. Nimitz, a submariner himself before he led the

U.S. Navy in the Pacific during the Second World War, said: ``It is to

the everlasting honor and glory of our submarine personnel that they

never failed us in our days of great peril.''

In southeastern Connecticut, we also know that the men and women

of Electric Boat serve their country. They design and build some of

the most sophisticated machines the world has ever known. Members

of the Submarine Force have been so successful in safeguarding our

nation in part because of the craftsmanship and hard work of generations

of EB employees.

Finally, we focus on what the Submarine Force means to America.

It turned the tide in the Pacific during the Second World War accounting

for fifty five percent of all enemy shipping destroyed while comprising

only two percent of all Naval forces. During the Cold War, the ``Forty-One

for Freedom'' Polaris/Poseidon and succeeding Trident submarines ensured

that our nation would never be the target of nuclear aggression.

Daring intelligence missions provided a clear picture of the capabilities

and the goals of the Soviets and other nations which threatened our

national interests. As Secretary of Defense Cohen said in urging the

Postal Service to honor this anniversary, ``the peaceful end to 45 years of

confrontation is the modern legacy of the Submarine Force.''

Mr. Speaker, America owes a great debt to the members of the

Submarine Force--past and present. A series of stamps is a small

gesture of a thankful nation to honor their service, their sacrifice, and

their role in guaranteeing that successive generations of Americans

have been able to enjoy the freedoms that make this country the

greatest nation on earth.


Subject: Re: Filipino Submariners

Date: Sun, 21 Nov 1999 00:28:33 EST

From: FERLOME@aol.com

To: nestore@prodigy.net

Hello! I'm sorry it took a while for me to respond to your e-mail.

My short story:

I enlisted in 1990, went through subschool in ' 91 and reported to my

first sub in '92. I'm a sonar tech and my boat was the USS Tunny(SSN-682) out

of Hawaii. Nine months later, i received my dolphins. That was a big relief

for me! After two years, I transferred to ASW base in San Diego for my "c"

school.After a year, I moved back to Hawaii for my second boat, the USS Honolulu (SSN-718). I stayed for three years and transferred to my present

duty station here in San Diego at North Island.

I think this is all I can say about myself.

oga,oga,oga!fire in the galley!

JUN


Philippine Navy eyeing acquisition of submarine fleet

By Ben Cal

      Manila, Dec. 19 (PNA) - The Philippine Navy (PN) is looking into

the possibility of acquiring its first submarine fleet in 10 years,

according to Vice Admiral Luisito F. Fernandez, Navy flag officer in

command.

      Under the plan, PN is considering the acquisition of three

shallow

water attack submarines (Swats) that will provide additional

flexibility

and firepower for the  Navy.

      "A submarine is a very effective deterrent weapon system,

especially if you patrol a wider area like the exclusive economic zone

(EEZ)," Fernandez said in an interview.

      He said the Navy needs a submarine fleet to secure the country's

200-mile EEZ against foreign intrusion.

      Being an archipelagic nation with 7,107 islands, the Philippines

has a coastline of 11,339 nautical miles which is twice as long as that

of the United States.

      "This will afford the Navy the capability to conduct

antisubmarine

operations," Fernandez said.

      Another advantage  is that it will take a lot of effort for any

intruder to detect submarines because they hide  underwater.

      Defense Secretary Orlando S. Mercado has approved the concept

paper

on the development of submarine for the Navy.

      The cost of one submarines US66.665 million or P2.66 billion.

This

includes the platform with sensors, four torpedoes, 16 mines and extra

spare parts for several years.

      The Navy prefers the Swats submarine because it carries only a

small number of crew but has a tremendous firepower. It has low

operating and logistics cost.

      Navy Commander Tomas D. Baino, a civil engineer and naval

architect, in his paper entitled "Introduction to the Development of

Submarine Capability for the Philippine Navy," cited the advantage of

having a submarine fleet, especially the Philippines which is a

maritime

country.

      Baino said that Philippines must have "a strong Navy at par with

other Asian countries to effectively counter future external threat."

      "To attain this, the PN must not only strive to enhance its

surface

capability but should radically include another dimension capability, a

sub-surface force," he added.

      The edge of a Swats submarine which is 40 meters long is that it

is

very hard to detect and can operate in extremely shallow and narrow

waters.

      Baino describes  it as "small and virtually noiseless, she has a

high probability to arrive very close to the target undetected, carry

out torpedo attacks and lays mines before the defense system is

alerted."

      Submarines are known to be submerged underwater for weeks and

remain there to wait for the enemy to pass by.

      They can fire their  torpedoes at a distance of six kilometers.

She

can also deploy sea-air-land (Seal) troops to conduct pre-emptive

strikes to hostile units on the shores swiftly.

      "Submarine is the best and foremost platform for surveillance

because of her capability to remain in patrol areas unseen. She can

monitor and observe tendencies of vessels in transit or detect  those

entering our sealanes that may ignore the laws of our country."

      At the same time, submarines can also be used in the government's

campaign against dynamite fishers, smugglers and pirates.

      The Swats submarine which can prowl in shallow waters is the most

ideal because 60 percent of Philippine waters are shallow. Maintenance

and the training of crew members are simpler.

 

Maybe some Phil-Am can volunteer!!!!