TRIDENT TRIBUTE Fiscal Year 2020 Volume 8 - June Inside USS Florida Returns to Kings Bay Captain’s Quarterly Safety Award Hurricane Season Begins Captain’s Corner Capt. Edward J. Robledo Commanding Officer The month of May has come and gone, and The initial work towards the DDRP, Phase A, starts this month summer will soon be here. with setting up the laydown area and approximately 100 contrac- As usual, TRF-KB has continued to support tors on site. Phase B, the construction phase, starts in July 2021 the Strategic Mission with excellent service and will last for about 15-months. while maintaining a vigilant fight against the As summer approaches, the 101 days of the summer safety COVID-19 pandemic. period will run through Labor Day. Personnel will spend time While the states of Georgia and Florida have lifted at home quaran- swimming, boating, operating recreational vehicles, grilling and tine restrictions and groups start to resume old routines, we all need participating in activities near fireworks. to continue to follow CDC guidance with social distancing to ensure Unfortunately, history shows these and other summer activities we don’t have a rise in COVID cases. create three high-risk months for our Team. After the stress Great accomplishments by our TEAM last month! The undocking of everyone has endured during the continued concern of the USS ALASKA after 203 days in Dry Dock and getting closer every day COVID pandemic, everyone deserves some time to have fun … I to the completion of her Extended Refit Period (ERP). just ask that everyone be careful and wear proper personal pro- Outstanding emergent work on USS MARYLAND during a very tective equipment and hydrate with plenty of water. short voyage repair period while maintaining the boat in a COVID As Rear Adm. Bernacchi prepares to depart as the Commander free condition. Excellent support for USS GEORGIA as she prepares for of Submarine Group Ten, he is continuously in awe of the meticu- deployment and the successful dry docking of USS WEST VIRGINIA. lous work, dedication and commitment by the TRF-KB Team and Finally, a small team from TRF-KB is at Norfolk Naval Shipyard he’s confident in our Team’s ability to sustain and maintain the supporting the completion of USS WYOMING’s Engineering Refueling OHIO-class SSBNs until the COLUMBIA-class SSBNs arrive in 2028. Overhaul by replacing the boat’s battery. “Fair Winds and Following Seas” to Rear Adm. Bernacchi as we Unfortunately, the tempo is not going to slow down as we have wish him continued success at his next command! four more dry dockings until the Dry Dock is secured for the Dry Dock Recapitalization Project (DDRP). TRF-KB TEAM - FIRST LINE OF NATIONAL DEFENSE! June Safety Message Let the FUN in the SUN Begin Summer Safety Remember these safety tips: As summer fast approaches, let’s make sure we’re ready 1. Never leave a child unattended in or near water. and thinking about how to keep ourselves and loved ones 2. Learn how to swim and teach your children. safe. As you prepare for summer fun and travel, please 3. Teach children to stay away from drains and other pool structures that may remember to follow the CDC’s and local guidance for cause entrapment. COVID-19. Most areas still recommend social distancing, 4. Ensure all pools and spas have compliant drain covers. groups no larger than 10, and some businesses require 5. Never hyperventilate or play breath-holding games. the wearing of face coverings while inside. 6. Learn CPR for adults and children. 7. Always keep sight of children, child drowning is a silent Pool Safety tragedy, you will not hear warning signs of drowning. Every day there are about 10 unintentional drowning 8. Never swim alone, and avoid alcohol use while swimming. deaths and two of the 10 are likely to be 14-years or younger. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury/death in that age group after motor vehicle accidents. It’s possible to drown in water as shallow as one-inch. Children can even drown in buck- ets, bathtubs and toilets. However, drowning can even affect adults in excellent shape. Many factors influence drowning risk: swimming ability, swimming alone, lack of appropriate barriers, lack of qualified supervision, failure to use a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), and alcohol use. Continued on page 2 1 CMC’s Message CMDCM(SS) Amanuel McMillan Command Master Chief At times, doesn’t it feel like Groundhog Day? Espe- with that like Respiratory Protection cially with the Boats? Do you feel like you’re being Assistant (RPA) School, Satellite asked the same questions every few months? Accumulation Area (SAA) School, and a PDS qualification card. If so, then I need your help! These are all great things because it makes the pro- With your valuable input, I’d like to put together a gram safe and tight, but how many of you knew all the “catalog” for our homeported and visiting units to processes required to get it done? use as a quick-reference guide. The COB also admitted that he didn’t know that it was It would provide a needed service and contain an annual requirement to maintain access for the PDS. shop information like services, points of contact, phone numbers, and common procedures/process- This is just one example of the items I’d like to include es. in the catalog. A Chief of the Boat (COB) recently asked about the Please forward me your ideas, “Lessons Learned” and/ Paint Distribution System (PDS) hours of operation. or “Frequently Asked Questions” and we’ll get those He also said that he was running into problems reviewed, drafted and put into a catalog and quick-ref- with qualifications and getting supplies. erence guide that will benefit everyone! To be honest, I didn’t realize how much effort went into getting paint and the procedures associated Thank you, and Hooyah America! Beach Safety 6. Understand the advisement flags on the beach, and NEVER assume that A weekend beach trip is a common excursion for people the ocean is completely safe. living on the coast. Unfortunately, many people are in- jured or killed on our nation’s beaches each year during recreational activities. Commonly known hazards include Boating Safety drowning, being caught in a rip current or strong surf, According to the U.S. Coast Guard, every year over 300 hazardous marine life, or other hazards on the beach. lives are lost, thousands are injured, and millions of dollars of property damage occurs as the result of pre- Follow these safety guidelines to enjoy your ventable recreational boating accidents. Seventy percent summer trips to the beach: of boating accidents are attributed to human error and 1. The second most common cause of fatal lightning strikes occur on the inexperience; know the rules and responsibilities before beach— keep a watchful eye on the sky in all directions, on the east coast you boat. most storms come from the west. 2. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. and The following safety tips may help you sand and water can reflect harmful rays. Know the day’s UV Index and wear a make safe decisions while boating: hat and sunscreen. 1. Wear your PFD— The USCG estimates that 80% of boating fatality victims 3. Avoid swimming at the beach when harmful algae blooms (Red Tide) are could have been saved simply by wearing a life jacket. present; these micro-organisms may cause harmful health effects, especially 2. Check your equipment and know your limits. on the very young, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. 3. Never mix alcohol and boating— it’s dangerous and boating under the 4. Understand how rip currents and other hazardous currents form and know influence is against the law. how to escape them. Avoid swimming near jetties and other structures that 4. Have a float plan so people know where to look in the event of an accident. extend into the surf zone. 5. Report boating accidents IAW Federal Law. 5. If lifeguards are on duty, always swim in sight and heed warnings from 6. Download the USCG mobile app to report hazards, pollution, suspicious lifeguard staff. activity, and emergencies. 2 USS Florida Returns After Extended Deployment By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ashley Berumen, Commander, Submarine Group 10 Public Affairs KINGS BAY, Ga. - The Ohio-class guided-missile subma- like this for this amount of time, especially without a real rine USS Florida (SSGN 728) returned to its homeport of home base,” said Capt. Brian Tothero, Florida (Blue) com- Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia, May 9, after manding officer, from Reamstown, Pennsylvania. “So, operating forward deployed for more than two years after being sort of homeless for the past 30 months, it’s supporting the U.S. Africa, Central and European Com- nice to be back in Kings Bay.” batant Commands. While forward deployed, the ship sailed more than For over 800 days, Florida provided unprecedented 98,000 nautical miles, which is the equivalent to nearly strike and special operation mission capabilities, bring- four times around the world, and pinned 202 new sub- ing mission flexibility and unparalleled stealth to the mariners with their submarine warfare, or “Dolphins.” fighting force. Missile Technician 1st Class Eckle Penley, Florida (Blue), “For the past 30 months, USS Florida has been forward from Charlotte, N.C., said he is happy to be home. deployed, providing our combatant commanders with “It’s difficult being away and not having contact with not only one of the most versatile and clandestine plat- my family,” said Penley.