A sub overview 1 il Acting Secretary of the Navy Sean O’Keefe Chief of Naval Operations ADM Frank B. KelsoII Chief of Information RADM Kendell Pease CO Navy Internal Relations Activity CAPT Jolene Keefer X0 Navy Internal Relations Activity MAGAZINE OF THE U.S. NAVY LCDR Pamela A. Moulder Director, Print Media Division DECEMBER 1992 - NUMBER 909 ENS Barbara Burfeind 70TH YEAR OF PUBLICATION A//Hands Editor Marie G. Johnston A//Hands Assistant Editor JOCS Robert C. Rucker A//Hands Staff 502 Jonathan Annis JO1 Sherri E. Bashore J02(AW) Laurie Beers JOP(SW) Jim Conner PH1 (AW) Joseph Dorey J03 Angela L. Jenkins JO1 Steve Orr Patricia Swift J02 Paul Taylor Production Director Michael David Tuffli Production Associates William E. Beamon DM1 Steven J. Eversole Leroy E. Jewel1 DM3 Keith Wilson NI RA Staff Distribution:Garland Powell, RM1 Ken Mumford; Plans and Policy: LCDR Rob Raine, J.D. Leipold; Budget: Betty Williams;ADP: JoeBartlett; Editorial: JanKemp Brandon, Catherine Bird; Administration: SKI Jeff Bryan, Life on an SSBN - Page 37 SaundraGray and YN3 Michelle Schaefer. All Hands (USPS 372-970; ISSN 0002- . . . From the sea From under the sea 5577)(Number 909) is published monthly by Navy Internal Relations 6 Subsmove to 21century st photoA gallery 22 Activity: NavalStation Anacostia, Bldg. 168, 2701 S. Capitol St., S.W., Gray ladies of the sea On the hunt Washington, D.C. 203744077, Sec- 8 History of thesilent service Lifeon 32 a fastattack ond-class postage paid at Washing- ton, D.C. 20374. A “father’s’’ legacy Deep, dark secrets Subscriptions: Superintendent of Doc- uments, US. GovernmentPrinting Of- 11SSBN an onRickover’s ADM Life story 37 fice, Washington, D.C.20402. Price: $17, US. and FPO;$21.25 foreign. Sub humor Chief of the boat Make checks/money orders payabletrades to: all ofmaster A Cartooncorner “Superintendent of Documents, GPO.” 12 41 Postmaster: Send address changes to A// Hands, NavalStation Anacostia, Thrust of the Spear On top of the world Bldg. 168,2701 S. CapitolSt., S.W., 13 Crewprovides “tender” careAnything freshfor air 43 Washington, D.C. 203744077, EditorialOffices: Sendsubmissions DSRVs Every time you go away 1 and correspondence to:NIRA, Print TheNavy’s undersea rescuers Coping withsilent separation Media, Attn: Editor, Naval Station Ana- 15 45 costia, Bldg. 168, 2701 S. Capitol St., S.W.,Washington, D.C. 203744077, Training for a new role Phone (202)433-4171 (DSN 288- 18 Subschool in Groton, Conn. 48 F?::: his old sub 4171). Message: NAVINRELACTWASHING- 1 TON DC. Front cover: On the bridge of USS Jefferson City (SSN 759) crew members Authorization: TheSecretary of the guide the fast attack submarineback to her homeport in Norfolk. Photoby PHI Navy has determined that thispublica- Michael Flynn. tion is necessary in the transaction of business required bylaw ofthe Depart- Back cover: The Trident ballistic missile submarineUSS Georgia (SSBN 729) mentof the Navy.Funds for printing transits the Strait of Juande Fuca off Washington State’s coast prior to diving this publication have been approved for her Pacific patrol. Photo 0 Yogi, Inc. by the Navy Publications and Printing Policy Committee. Special thanks to retired VADM Yogi Kaufman, who graciously gave A//Hands I access to his submarine photo collection. respects, including the 1response, and minimize NAVY. MIL, and include potential for rape. I ‘revictimization.” your Defense Data Net- Based on the 1990-91 One newresource avail- work (DDN) orInterNj Navy Women’s Study able for rape awareness address. Group, which exam- 1training is a Naval Crimi- *By anonymous file ined theproblems of rape Inal Investigative Service transfer protocol (FTP) and sexual assault,the NCIS) briefing which from NCTAMSLANT. Graduates dlld frienua Bureau of Naval Person- :overs date rape, rape by NAVY. MIL in themiscel- of the Senior Enlisted nel hascreated an office !jtrangers and response to laneous subdirectory. Academy (SEA)in New- responsible for policy and 1potential or actual rape Anonymous FTP is fas , port, R.I., can now join the guidance on rape, sexual situations - available as a convenient and is availa- newly-formed Senior assault and victimassis- ,2 1-minute video tape. It is ble to many DDNand Enlisted Academy tance. 1best used as part of a InterNet users. Alumni Association. A compre e 1presentation or discussion *By downloading fro,,, Former Master Chief and sexual assault aware- 1lead by a qualified repre- the “articles” or “miscel- Petty Officer of the Navy ness and preventionpro- sentative fromNCIS laneous” file areas of the Bill Plackett gram is being developed Ioffices, family service cen- CNO Bulletin Board. Reg- was elected for all membersof the ters and Navy videotape istration isrequired to president Navy T’lis program is gain access. The mode emeritus of numbers are: (800)582 ~ designed to the alumni make people 2355; (800)582-6940; association, more aware of The complete text of (703)695-6198; or (“IlJ which isa the warning 695-6388. the Navy document, ’I. . . nonprofit signs; provide Questions about E-mail organization From the Sea,” is now and anonymousFTP may tips on safety available electronically formed to provider and self- be directed to CDR Tim support for the SEA. defense; pro- Taylor by calling (804) For more information vide resources 445-1038 or (DSN)565 The outlineof the new about the alumniassocia- explaining the frequent 1038. Questions aboutthe strategic directionfor the tion call the SEA at (401) connection betweenalco- CNO Bulletin Board may Navy and MarineCorps 841-4222 or (DSN)948- hol abuse and sexual mis- be directed to Henrietta team, wassigned by the 4221/4222 or write: Sen- conduct; emphasizeper- Wright by calling (703’ Secretary of the Navy, ior Enlisted Academy sonal responsibility and 695-5471 or InSNl 22: Chief of Naval Operations Alumni Association, mutual respect for others; 54 (CNO)and Commandant NETC Code 39, 1269 and explain victim assis- of the Marine Corps in Elliot Ave. tance and support Holiday safety September. resources. The electronic version As the Christmasand The Navy is developing of ‘I. . . From the Sea” New Year holidays a rape/sexual assault vic- contains thecomplete approach, safety and aLbl- tim assistance program text of the printed edition, dent prevention shouldbc Military communities that will be implemented and is available as follows: a top priorityfor all sail- are similar to civilian at allnaval installations. By electronic mail. Assistance will maxi ’ Send your requestvia E- -nail to Naw News Serv- to pack toomuch funintc limited time off. Com- mon sense cankeep you from becoming a statistic.

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think about what you're going to do, wear the proper equipment and keep alcohol consump- tion to a minimum. The

eeeFrom the sea Sub force moves toward 21st century

Story by J02Paul Taylor n the movie “TheHunt ForRed October,” the “Today our submarine force is extremely well-suited skipper of a Soviet submarine matches wits with anto support the key foundations of our [new] national I American submarine captain. Themovie brought a defense policy - deterrence, forward presence and crisis lot of attention to a branch of the U.S. Navy that has response,” he said. “Our plan for the 1990s and beyond is prided itself on being the “silentservice.” to hone the capabilities of our submarines to continue While the Cold War circumstances under which“Red our superlative supportof this strategy.” October” took place are now a thing of the past, our While deterrence has traditionallybeen the role of the submarine crews still patrol the oceans of the world SSBN, today‘s SSNs, with their wide range of capabili- safeguarding American interests. ties from intelligence collectionto precision land attack In days gone by, the submarine force, like the rest of with Tomahawk cruise missiles, are a formidable the U.S. military, was geared to meet a global threat weapon that anywould-be aggressor must take into from the nuclear-armed Soviet Union. However, as consideration. East-West tensions ease and the Defense Department’s “A potential adversary will be uncertain about the budget declines, the submarineforce has had to change numberand location of Americansubmarines,” said its emphasis. Bacon, “but will be certain that a submarine can deny According to Assistant Chief of Naval Operations for him use of the seas or conduct precision strikes against Undersea Warfare VADM Roger Bacon, the mission of him inany region.’’ the strategic arm of the submarine force - deterrence - Any sailor who has ever deployed aboard a ship can remains essentially the same. However, the number of tell you there’s nothing new about the idea of forward fleet ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) will be sub- presence. However, as our forces at overseas locations stantially reduced. are withdrawn, the forward presence of naval forces “We have 34SSBNs, we will go down to 18 by the end takes on added importance. According to Bacon, effec- of the decade,” Bacon said in an interview published in the newsletter“Inside the Navy.” VADM Bacon is interviewed in frontUSS of Grayling (SSN 646) by CBS News correspondent JimStewart moments afterthe Speaking at a ceremony marking the return ofUSS sub broke through the polar ice. Tennessee (SSBN 734) from her 3,000th strategic deter- rent patrol, Chairman of the JointChiefs of Staff Army Gen. Colin Powell said that despite the warming of U.S. relations withthe East, there are still thousands of nuclear warheads in Russia, Ukraine, Belorussia and Kazakhstan which could end the American way of life in a matter of minutes. “So, however warm our relations mightgrow with the new former-Soviet republics, however close our friend- ships become- we will always, always place our faith in our boomers,” Powell said, “and not in anythingelse.” On the tactical side of the house, however, the crews of attack submarines (SSNs) areseeing a major changein the emphasis of submarine operations. Bacon recently told a congressional subcommittee ondefense appropri- ations that during theCold War, anti-submarine warfare was the emphasis, however the technological advances made by the submarine force during the last 30 years have enabled themto develop anumber of unique mission capabilities. 6 ALL HANDS tiveness is tied to response time - to control a crisis, between thoseof the Los Angeles and Seawolf. Improve- naval forces must be brought to bear within a matter of ments in platform design will be part of the project, days or hours. however the sonar and weapons systems will consist “Forward-deployed attack submarines can be at the mainly of existing technology. scene of action in a matter of hours,” Bacon told the In August, the Pentagon’s top acquisitionreview panel subcommittee.“They collect intelligence, provide gave approval to move ahead on developing designs for warning and, if necessary, go on theoffensive to control the submarine. Under the best of circumstances that the crisis and neutralize opposing forces.” would place construction inFY98 with the first ship to The stealthcapacity of today’s submarines make them be delivered to thefleet between2003 and 2005. the platform of choice for crisis control where a threatto With reduced world tensions, there will be not only U.S. forces exists. Virtually impossible to locate and one, but several years in the1990s where there willbe no target, submarinescan provide aunique array of funding in the budget for new submarines. This hasn’t missions with minimalrisk to U.S. forces. occurred since the 1950s and raises questions about the Among these missions are surveillance, regional sea survival of the industrial base which produces subma- denial, precision strike, battle group support andground rines. warfare support. Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia and Electric “Combined with its inherentcharacteristics of Boat Co., Groton, Conn., are the only two shipyards in stealth, endurance, and agility and its wide range of the United States that build submarines. Withthe keels mission capabilities, today’s nuclear-powered subma- laid on thelast llident and Los Angeles-class ships, and rine is truly one of the most formidable, operationally since there maybe, at themost, three Seawolfs built, it cost-effective and is very possible the flexible combatant ability of these yards to ships,” Bacon added. produce submarines What does the “We have the best submarine forcein may deterioratebeyond future hold techno- the pointof no return. logically for the sub- the world, with the finest ships and Bacon stressed the marine force? importance of this and “We canfirmly the best people.” the need to get Centu- state that no country rion into production threatens U.S. - VADM Roger Bacon before this loss occurs. SSBNs in the open “Unless we take posi- ocean, and we do not tive steps soon, we will see indications of a Ilose a national asset- near-term threat,”Bacon told the congressional subcom- our ability to produce nuclear-powered submarines in an mittee. With this in mind, there are no current forplans affordable and timely manner.” a new class of SSBNs. An already intenselycompetitive community, the However, improvements to sonar and weapons sys- submarine force will become much more so as it is tems are planned. Currently theTrident 11 (D-5)missile reduced in size. For submarine officers, this began to program continues on schedule and within cost. The materialize in 1990 when the submarineforce instituted introduction of this key elementin the strategic department head screening boards. But Bacon believes modernization program aboard SSBNs will help keep that as longas the inactivations occur slowly, the Trident an effective deterrent to war well into the 21st situation can be managed with little hardship to those century. currently serving while still attracting newpersonnel. As USS Los Angeles (SSN 688) nears its 20th year of The submarineforce of today is ina state of flux. As it service, it’s time tolook beyond that class of submarine approaches the 21st century, the force will assume a new and decide what the attack sub of the future will look shape, but the one thing that remains is the pride of like. Duringthe Cold War that vision was Seawolf (SSN those who serve under the sea. This pride goes all the 21). With the reduction of that program and with time way up to the top of the chain of command. In his running out on the688s, the wave of the future isnow remarks to the house subcommittee Bacon said, “We Centurion. have the best submarine force in the world, with the Centurion is the nameof a program, not necessarily a finest ships, and the best people.” submarine. Thoughdesigns have yet to be approved, the Navy is looking for a ship that will have capabilities Taylor is a staffwriter for All Hands. DECEMBER 1993 7 Gray ladies of the sea A proud history of silent service

Story by J02 Paul Taylor he U.S. submarine force However, in theyears between the tions and seven Medals of Honor. came of age during World world wars, technology improved The cost was high - 52 submarines T War 11. Although in thefleet the force. By 1941 the U.S. subma- and 3,500 men never returned from for more than 40 years, American rine force waslarger, more capable war patrols. submarineshad not beenproven and battle-ready. WhileWorld War I1 provided under fire. Even during WorldWar I, Submarinesconducted the first America with herfirst submarine American subs scored no kills. offensive U.S. operations inthe victories, experiments with submar- -c Pacific. The first wartime kill was ining had been going on for years. m scored byUSS Swordfish (SS 193) During the American Revolution, 4 when she sank a Japanese freighter David Bushnell designed theone- a just nine days after Pearl Harbor. man submersible Turtle in 1775 in The exploits of submariners dur- Saybrook, Conn. ing WorldWar 11 were legendary. In the first recorded attempt to use When Japan surrendered, American a submarine inwar, Army Sgt. Ezra submarineshad sunk more than Lee took Turtle into New York 1,100 ships. The“silent service’s’’ Harbor where the British fleet was gallantry earned 34 presidential cita- anchored Sept. 7,1776. The idea was tions, 38 Navy Unit Commenda- to attach a timed explosive to the hull of a British ship. Left: An artist’sconception of Army Sgt. Ezra Lee inTurtle. Below: The Confed- Lee had made four unsuccessful erate submarine CSS H.L. Hunley was attemptsto attach his explosive powered by a propeller cranked by charge, when he was spotted by a eight men. British long boat. Lee released his cargo andmade his escape. The E charge exploded harmlessly near the ship, but her captain decided to seek safer anchorage farther out tosea. The kind of courage displayed by Lee is seemingly a prerequisite for submariners. As we all know, what goes up must come down, however what goes down does not necessarily have to come back up. This was repeatedly shownto be the case during the Confederacy’s experi- ments with submarines during the Civil War. a ALL HANDS I Above: Plunger, thefirst Navy con- an Irish immigrant wholived in New ! tracted submarine, was rejected due to Jersey,developed a complex and I her inabilityto hold a steady course. highly successful ballast systemand [ Left: Inventor John Holland peers out of ’ Holland‘s (SS 1) conning tower. The was the first to incorporate the ofuse Navy’s purchase of Holland marked thehorizontal rudders to dive a boat. In birth of its submarine fleet. 1895 Holland received an order from the U.S. government to buildone. cranked by eight men. Before it was The vessel, named Plunger, was considered ready for battle CSS H.L. refused by the Navy when Holland Hunley had to besalvaged four couldn’t keep the boat on a straight times. course. But before Plunger’s failure, On Feb. 17, 1864,Hunley attacked Holland had designed another sub- the steam sloop-of-war Housatonic marine, so the Navy agreed to let using a “Lee spar torpedo,” mounted him build that boat with private on the bow of the submarine. Hun- funds. On April 11, 1900, the U.S. ley rammed Housatonic below the Navy’s submarine forcewas born waterline.The explosion ripped when it purchased its first subma- open the side of Housatonic which rine, Holland (SS 1). sank, losing five men.Unfortu- In the years that followed the nately, Hunley also sank somewhere acceptance of Holland, the U.S. Confederate Army Capt. Horace near its victim, losing all hands. Navy continuedto buy improved Hunley and two associates built a During the latter half of the 19th submarines. Theygrew in size, from submarineout of a 40-foot steam century, experimentalsubmarines Holland’s 54 feet to more than 100 boiler. The submarine, named forits began totake on characteristics feet and incorporated new devel- inventor, was poweredby a propeller found in today’s boats. John Holland, opments inpropulsion and weapons. DECEMBER 1992 9 Le& USS Triton (SSN 586) arrived in Bremerhaven, Germany, in1960, giving residents their first glimpseof a nuclear-powered submarine.Triton is the first submarine to circumnavigate the globe while submerged. Below:As seen through the submarine’s peri- scope, a Tomahawk land-attack mis- sile, targeted on an Iraqi position, clears the surface after being fired fromUSS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) during theGulf War. class fast attack submarines launch- ed Tomahawk cruisemissiles against Iraqi targets from operating areas in the easternMediterranean. During the late 1940s and 1950s, fired the first missile from a sub- As the submarine force nears its the greatest technological advances merged position off the Florida 100th birthday, submarinerswho in the submarine force came about, coast. served in the World War-11 era fleet includinghull strengthening and In the eight years that followed, 40 boats look at today’s submarine streamlining. Engines were more other ships joined George Washing- force with respect. Norb Ayers, who compact and powerful. ton. As theseships came on line, served aboard USS Diablo (SS 479), All these advances were crucial in advances were made in the Polaris marveled at a Trident submarine he the development of the modern sub- missile system, increasingits range. saw on a recent tripto Naval Subma- marine, but pale in comparison to In the early 1970s, the Poseidon rine Base Kings Bay, Ga. the advent of nuclear propulsion. (C-3) missile began replacing the “There’s no comparison! It’s like a With the increased speed and vir- aging Polaris, again with a signifi- castle!” he said. “They’ve gotit good tuallylimitless fuel supply of cant increasein range and accuracy. compared to the old fleet boats, but nuclear-powered submarines,the The next step in the evolution of it takes some pretty good people to length of patrols was now dictated the ballistic missile submarine cameman these boats today, and they’re by crew endurance and the amount with the advent of the Trident mis- doing great.” of provisions carried. sileand submarine program. The On Jan. 17, 1955, the first nuclear- firststep involved placing Trident Taylor is a staff writerfor All Hands powered submarine, USS Nautilus (C-4) backfit missiles aboard the (SSN 571), sent its historic message: older Poseidon boats. As the ’12ident “underwayonnuclear power.” boats were commissioned, that mis- Today, every submarine in the U.S. sile wasplaced aboard them as well. Navy is nuclear-powered. Later, the Trident 11 (D-5) missile In the years that followed that was developed. historic voyage, endurance, depth Ironically, the success of ballistic and speed records dropped like flies. missile submariners is beginning to Also, submarines began operating cost them jobs. With the easing of beneath the iceof the NorthPole. East/West tensions, all 22 remaining Perhaps the most important evo- original ballistic missile submarines lutionarystep of thesubmarine will be decommissioned by the end camein 1955 whenthe highest of the decade. It’s also unlikely that priority was given to develop a bal- any more llidents will be built after listic missile that could be launched completion of thesix currently from under water, and aplatform under construction. from which it could be fired. In just Today, U.S. Navy submarines, five years the Polaris missile and armed withadvanced sonar, torpedo submarine program went from an and missile technology, are a formi- idea to a reality. On July 20, 1960, dable weapon and deterrent to war. USS George Washington (SSBN 598) During the Gulf War, Los Angeles- 10 ALL HANDS era

rs

1. froman incomparable, H cranky “old salt’’ to a bril- time. liant engineer who single-handedly 1 Rickover personally interviewe dragged the Navy into the nuclear every officer seeking toenter hi era. But all will agree, the lateADM nuclear-propulsion program. Thes Hvman G. Rickc r is the father of interviewswere legendary inth the nuclear Nay Navy, and to survi it was a rite c In his more than 60 service, the son of Russian immi- tlg i grants evolved from a snubbed mid- ,&rageous, Ri,,aver ,xe ga- shipman at the Naval Academy, to candidate 30 seconds to make an outspokenofficer with a visionof mad. The midshipman jumped limitless range nuclear-powered sub- of his chair, cleared the papers off th marinesand warships. This early admiral’s desk and”zashed hi vision quickly put him atodds with model submarine. Lee I has it tha superiors. But Rickover won his Rickover accepted battle and his dream became reality ADM Hyman G. Rickover According tohis former students Jan. 17,1955, when USS Nautilus ese interviews were designed tl (SSN 571), the first nuclear-powered aw applicants out and make then submarine, began its maiden voyage Sys- think abouttheir answers. It down Connecticut’s ThamesRim gave the admiral an opportunit Today, all U.S. submarinesand d the judge their character and their abil more than 40 percent nf the U.S. ,esign and productionof the nuclear make snap decisions. Navy’smajor combata are pow- fleet, Rickover saw his nuclear-pow- kover’s life was consumed b: ered by nuclear reactor: red submarines,cruisers and aj th \Tavy, working14-hour days Commissioned in 1922, Rick- raft carriers travel 70 million miles rarely socializing and having little over’s first taste of submarines came nd log the equivalent of 30 centu- time for his family. He was as harc‘ in 1929, when he served on board -ies of operation timewithout a on his co-workers ashe was 01 USS S-9 (SS 114). After completing death or seriousacci .t a1 mted himself. “I never start to likea mal several staff assignments and serving tonuclear propuls 1. ntil I tell himoff three or four times as thesenior naval officer for district Among the qualities he brought to a day,” he once said. engineers on the”Manhattan Pro- the field were his extraordinary bril- In 1984, the man who pushed the ject” - the operation to design the liance as an engineer and organizer, Navy into the nuclear age received atomic bomb - the admiral became tireless energy and inflexible devo- the rare honor of becoming the living the senior naval officer for the tion. To themhe added hisown namesake of a U.S. war vessel, the ~ .. newly-formed Atomic Energy Com- techniques - ignoring protocol and attacksubmarine USS Hyman G. dce, Tenn., in During the next 35 years, Rick- over spearheaded the Navy’s nuclear-power programand was eventually appointed as director, Division of Naval Reactors, U.S. Atomic Energy Research and Devel- de

The old “shoe polish on the periscope”trick.

Young submariners learn quicklyto heed all signs. ::

Anti-submarine warfare training for Swapping sea stories at the submariner officers’ club. surface warriors.

12 Thrust of the Spear Pride, and professionalism keep sub tender% crew pointed forward

Story by JOl Chris Price

lancing at his scheduling board covered with modify submarines in many ways, except for jobs that grease-pencil notations, Master Chief Machin- require the use of a shipyard facility. Being an afloatunit G ery Repairman (SW)Artemio Cespedes begins a allows Spear to take thisrepair capability wherever it‘s roll callof submarines supportedby his tender,USS L.Y. needed. Spear (AS 36) in the last month. Spear also provides logisticsupport. Itstocks and “Flying Fish [(SSN 63)], Bergall [(SSN 67)], Finback issues food, supplies, repair partsand conventional [(SSN 670)], lames K. Polk [(SSBN 645)],”recites weapons, such as torpedoes. Everything from electrical Cespedes. “The list goes on and on.” power and cable television services, to helping tie the L.k Spear is the flagship of Commander, Submarine subtender tothe pier, comesfrom the coordinated Squadron 6, but to themen of the submarine force who efforts of Spear‘s sailors. return to thetender’s care for support andrepair, pulling Repairing submarinesis never simple,said Hull up to Spear is likecoming home. Technician 1st Class(SW) Frank Bedenik, who worksin The tender is a floating city capable of servicing an Spear’s metal shop. No twosubmarines are exactly entire squadron of nuclear submarines. It is equipped Above: USS L.X Spear (AS 36) provides tender services to with a variety of repair shops, and staffed with more than two US. submarines (left of Spear) and two Norwegian 1,000 material and technical experts able to repair and submarines in Norway. DECEMBER 1992 13 parts for submarines or to create cable pieces used in weapons handling. “We can’t afford tomake anymistakes with our work,’’ said ChiefMolder (SW) Tito Anunciado, the foundry’s leading chief petty officer. “If a torpedo breaks off the wire and blows up, it could take us with it.We really sweat ourwork.” According to Anunciado, Spear‘s moldersare also experts at producing sea water valves and intricate parts for pumps, motors, gears and doors. “Anything that can be cast in brass, bronze, steel, aluminum, ironor monel [copper andnickel alloy], we canmake,” he said. Anything even includes parts that are no longer availa- ble through normal supply routes. On board the tender, training and drills occupy the crew. Spear’s weapons handlersare provided with realistic training as they load and handle “shapes,” - near-perfect replicas of missiles andtorpedoes. An actual weapons movement requires handlersfrom both the tender andthe submarineinvolved. Efficiency in loading weapons is a source of pride for LT William R. Holtz, Spear’s weapons repair officer. “We can reload a subma- rine inone day,” he remarked. “We’ve even loaded submarines from other countries.” Another group of Spear professionals put frequently to thetest are the ship’s divers. Waiting toinstall a ar cofferdam and temporaryseal around a shaft, Boat- swain’s Mate 2nd Class (DV)Joseph Rehling explained MR3 Timothy Lillis modifies a nylon sleeve Spear‘s in the natureof his work. machine shop. “This isn’t a routinejob,” he said. “This is an ‘Oh my God’ job. The planning for this repair, for example, took alike, so the tender has alibrary of diagrams on each one more than a wdek and a half, and the actual physical provided by Commander,Naval Sea SystemsCom- work has been going on for three days now. If we don’t mand. These provide a guide for repairs or installations, makethis repair, the sub can’tgo to hermaximum such as fixturesfabricated in the metalshop. depth. “You just don’t know what mightbe on the otherside “It’s going to work. . . . We’ve done this type of work of that bulkhead,’’ explained Bedenik. “And I don’t send before,” he said confidently. “When you’re a Navy diver, someone over to do work without knowing. If they cut you know you can do it.” into a live wire theycould get electrocuted. Idon’t take Rehling’s confidence in himself and in the skillof his any chances.” shipmates is shared by all the members of Spear’s crew. The metalshop canproduce a varietyof items, suchas Cespedes believes this confidence is reflected in the garbage cans, shelvesand lockers, but because the quality of service the tender provides to its customers, components are made for submarines, they look differ- which was demonstrated inits deployment tothe ent from similar items used on surface and shore units. Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. Trash cans look like hat boxes; cabinets and shelves are For five months Spear provided services to nearly 50 built withgently curved edges. All large pieces must be U.S. and allied ships, ranging from small minesweepers designed to be dismantled for movement through tight to massive aircraft carriers. Each vessel discovered for submarine hatches. itself what the submarine crews of Squadron 6 have “If it’s too big,it’s notgetting down thehatch,” always known to be true.When you’re low on supplies Bedenik said. “If it’s forced down, it could get a little or need repairs, the skilled men and womenof L. Y. Spear crinkled in theprocess.’’ are only a work request away. E A work center unique to tendersthe is foundry, which usesmolten metal and molds tocreate replacement Price is thepublic affairs officer on USS L.Y. Spear (AS 36). 14 ALL HANDS DSRVs The Navy’s undersea rescuers

Story byPH2 August C. Sigur hecylindrical craft maneuvered through the obscured the vehicle’s high resolution search video darkness, hovering 20 feet above the foreign cameras and hindered the sonarsearch. The sub’s T terrain. Inside the cramped cockpit, the co pilot’s distress pinger (BQN-13) was the only way to achieve eyes were fixed on thevideo monitor whichrendered the long-range detection on the submarine. desolate surroundings in stark black and white. The two The pilot reached across the brightly lit integrated operators sat in the small, confined area of the vessel control and display panel (ICAD) and switched to the called thecontrol sphere. The remainingtwo crew computer-generated navigation display. The faint noise members were poised in the mid-and aft-sphere await- of the BQN-13 was heard in the pilot’s and copilot’s ing the momenttheir skills wouldbe needed. headsets coming from the DSRV’s directional listening The ocean bottom resembled the barren, desolate sur- hydrophone. face of the moon- dark, lifeless and eerie. Down in this The crew was close,but close could be anywhere from tricky environment, time wasextremely crucialfor the 100 to several thousand yards. The DSRV crew had to Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) to locate move quickly - time was running out for the disabled and to rescue an American fast attack submarine that submarine’s (DisSub)crew. experienced a flooding casualty and went down hard All coordinates were reverified by Avulon‘s (DSRV 2) somewhere in the area. copilot who insisted they were in theright search area. Conditions were less than adequatefor a visualsearch Sand whippedup behind the DSRV’s large rotating prop, of the area. Millions of minute floating particles and Avulon came about entering the cloud left by her prop. The search camera relayed nothing but a dark USS William M Bates transports Avalon (DSRV 2) while on a cloud on the monitor. As the vehicle moved out of the training exercise. disturbance, the camera’s lens becameclearer. DECEMBER 1992 15 The copilot’seyes fixed on the monitor,and con- firmed, “There she is!” He pointed to the screen where the large black contour of the submarine was barely visible through the sand cloud. “We hold the DisSub in sight,” the pilot reported on the underwater telephone back to the mothersubmarine (MoSub).We are attempt- ing to mate.”The MoSub, a specially modified Sturgeon- class nuclear-attack submarine had carried Avulon in a “piggyback” manner to the search area and it would serve as the staging platform for the rescue of the crew members of the disabled submarine. The damaged steel hulk sat slightly buried in the silt and was listing to portwith thescrew buried below the sand. The submarine’s main sea watersystem pipe ruptured and all efforts to isolate the problem failed. A large portion of the main compartment quicklyflooded and the sub sank within minutes. crew The of the DSRV a quickly began the preparations to land on the escape Crew members fromUSS BilEfZsh (SSN 676) prepare to enter hatch of ‘the sub andbegin the rescue. port at Naval Station, Rota, Spain. “Prepare for soft seal,” ordered the pilot. The DSRV assumed the proper angle, height and speed to mount port of Malaga, the crew of Avulon and the MoSub USS onto the hull of the crippled sub. With small, careful Billfish (SSN676), completed five dives between three adjustments to the vehicle’s controls, the pilot carefully bottomed diesel submarines with 100 percent success. moved Avulon over the submarine and locked onto the Personnel from participatingsubmarines were trans- escape hatch. The mating seal wasaccomplished. ferred between vessels and simulated the crews of After checking the sensors andassuring a correct distressed submarines. position, the copilot began to dewater the mating skirt. “We rendezvoused withthe Dutch submarine This equalizes pressure in the skirt with two ballast Zwuurdvis [S 8061 at about 400 feet,” explained Sonar tanks inside the DSRV to achieve a “hard seal.” The Technician (SS/DV) 1st Class Todd A. Litke. “Condi- water is then pumped into the tanks,and the computer tions weren’t very favorable.Visibility was poor, the sub display for water levels anda skirt camera monitor was listing 3 degrees, with a strong current. When we indicate the mate is complete. saw the submarine’s lights, we were able to position Once the water was completelyremoved, the rescue ourselves over the hatch and accomplish the mate.” vehicle’s hatch was opened to access the submarine’s Litke likened it to, ”flying blind with only sound to hatch. Working swiftly, the DSRV crew removed the assist you.” Litke, Avulon‘s copilot during Sorbet Royal heavy steel-hatch fairing plates from the suband ’92 and a veteran of more than 30 DSRV training dives, signaled the awaiting crew by striking the steel hatch describes the complexity of locating a 400 foot subma- three times with a hammer. rine in miles of open ocean. “When you are trying to Within minutes, the opening was complete and the locate a submarine underwater, sonar and instrument men of the DisSub climbed out of their vessel and into readings are helpful, but visual sighting isthe only true Avulon. Only 24 crew members could enter Avulon this method of confirming her position,” Litkeadded. first trip, butthe DSRV would returnfive more times to The interior of the DSRV resembles a space shuttle evacuate the remaining crew. Once loaded, Avulon with myriad electronic modules and seemingly equal detached andheaded forthe MoSub to transfer theweary amount of control buttons, lights andsensors. “It’s just crew, completing onesegment of the rescue. like what you would expect inthe space shuttle,” Although an actual rescue has never been necessary, describedChief InteriorCommunications Electrician the need for constant training is extremely crucial. In (SS) Brian C. Weisbarth about the complexity of the September 1992, Avalon was flown to Spain for exercise vehicle’s control sphere. Sorbet Royal ‘92. This ambitious operation combined Weisbarth, Avulon’s newest qualified pilot remem- the submarines and sub rescue assets of the Spanish, bered the first time he encountered the control panels. Dutch, Italian, British and American navies. “When I first sawit I was a little intimidated, but Isoon It was the first exercise of its size combining subma- familiarized myself and now I’m very comfortable with rine rescue capabilities. Operating out of the Spanish it.” 16 ALL HANDS “Every effort is made to maintain ‘attention todetail’ feet of water. The McCann SubmarineRescue Chamber in deep submergence. Maintaining $250 million under- was dispatched to the site where it completed several sea vessels is complex to say the least,’’ saidLT Edwin L. dives on the downed submarine, rescuing 33 crewmen Lancaster, Mystic’s (DSRV 1) engineer. ‘‘These DSRVs from the forward torpedo room of Squalus. are engineered and constructed with the sametechnol- Although this daring rescue was a magnificent event, ogy of NASA’s Apollo space rockets. Theymust be held the capability of rescuing a downed submarine was not tothe same strict compliance toensure safe and fully considered until tragedy occurred in 1963. In the effective operation at depths of 5,000 feet.” early morninghours of April10, 220 miles east of “The challenge comes when you take a small, but Boston, the nuclear-powered attacksubmarine USS sophisticated crew of men and keep them motivated,” Thresher (SSN 593) was making deep-diving tests after explained LCDR Charles W. Baisey, Avalon’s officer-in- undergoing ballasttank repair at Electric Boat Co., charge. “Our objective isto increase the OpTempo Groton, Conn. [operationstempo] of the DSRV while keeping the The submarine rescue ship USS Skylark (ASR 20) reliability of such a sophisticated vehicle operating in monitored all of Thresher’s movements and kept her this harsh environmentat itspeak level.” position in constant verification throughout thevoyage. Submarine rescue isnot a recent event. In 1851, She contacted Thresher throughout thedive. But,at 9:17 William Bauer was the first sailor documented to make a.m., Thresher notified Skylark she was experiencing a free escape from a submarine after his crude ironcraft “minor difficulties,” and “was working to correct the sank. Bauer became trapped in his stricken vessel for problem.” more than five hours before he opened the hatch to Shortly afterthat transmission, Skylark heard sounds escape. “likeair rushing intoan air tank” - thensilence. Yet, the most successful submarine rescue occured Thresher was never to surface again; she sank in 8,400 May 24, 1939, when USS Squalus (SS 192) sank in 234 feet of water. Thresher‘s catastrophe served as the catalyst for launching an ambitious Navy program known as Sub- marine Rescue System. Withintwo weeks following Thresher’s disaster, then-Secretary of the Navy Fred Korth, appointed a committee called the Deep Submer- gence Systems Review Group (DSSRG). The panel conducted a year-long study of submarine rescue and deep ocean recovery and made several recommenda- tions. The first of many recommendations was a five-year, $400 million program to develop an effective submarine rescue and deep submergence system. In 1970, the Navy took delivery of the first DSRV, named Mystic. It was, and remains today, themost complex and sophisticated DSRV in the world. Mystic, and laterher sister ship Avalon, were putthrough rigorous sea trials until they were accepted by the Navy in 1977. The two DSRVs are currently assigned to Deep Submergence Unit homeported at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego. When called upon, DSRVs can be transported to therescue site by land, air or sea. The DSRV rescue system is a very diverse and valuable asset to the submarines of the U.S. Navy. The DSRV team isever vigilant in responding to unexpected submarine emergencies and to support key scientific explorationmissions of one of themost vast and mysterious segments of the world - the big blue. Artist’s rendition of the Navy’s1939 McCann Submarine Rescue Chamber which rescued the crewof USS Squalus. Eight menat a time couldbe removed from the boat. Sigur is assigned to DeepSubmergence Rescue Unit, San Diego. DECEMBER 1992 17

-...-.... - r. Top: 1

From under the sea A

I lop: USS Salt Lake City heads out to sea near her homeportof Vallejo,Calif. Right: Fire con- trol technicians on board USS Albany monitor the BSY-I fire control panels. Opposite page: USS Atlanta islaunched at NewportNews, Va.,August 1 1980. Duetoenvironmental hazards,balloons noare longer used for naval ceremo- nies. I

22 ALL HANDS

Top: Submarine tender is surrounded by subsin Norfolk during the Christmas season. Left: Crewmenaboard USS Portsmouth .havelittle space tocall their own. Their racks areof one the few places where they can bealone. Oppo- site page: USS Nevada is tied up with her missile doors open priorto loadout in Bangor, Wash.

DECEMBER '1332 1

26 HLL HANDS Clockwise from above: Crewmen on USS Baton Rouge must take special precautions while performing maintenanceon the side of the boat.One of the newest ballistic-missile submarines, USS Rhode Island is shown here while under construction at Electric Boat Division ofGeneral Dynamics, Groton, Conn. The sonar room aboard attacksubmarine USS Topeka houses theeyes and ears of theship. A USS Groton sailor waitsto close the hatch as Groton sails down theThames River in Groton, Conn.

DECE~LI~~R1992 I

lop left: View from inside a torpedo tube on USS Jacksonville. lop right: Students train insidethe control room trainer at Naval Submarine School, Groton, Conn. Above: The crew of USS Pargo prepares to tie up to the pier in Groton.

I 28 ALL HANDS Top:Even in theclear water of the CaribbeanSea, the full impact of a submerged submarine is hard to cap- ture. Left A USS Groton sailor climbs down the hatch as final underway prep- arations are made.

DECEMBER 1992 29 L . :,

Above: A SEAL team descends to USS Woodrow Wilson during a lock-out exercise off the coast of Puerto Rico. Above right: USS Buffalo rushes to the ocean's surface during an emer- gency blow exercise. 30 ALL HANDS Left:American attack submarines USS Billfishand USS SeaDevil rendezvous with the British subma- rine Superb during ICEX ‘87 at the NorthPole. Below: A sailorfrom USS Pargo sets the colors on the sub’sfantail after returning from deployment.

I I I

DECEMBER 199i 3’ x.

Story and photos by PHl(AW) Joseph Dorey t’s been said that anyone who ily. Submariners must also give up - the ears and eyes of the “boat.” wouldclimb into a 360-foot such amenitiesas fresh air, sunshine The routine of 18-hour days begins. I steel tube, close the hatch and and privacy. But they wouldn’t have Most of the crew works in a three- sail off into the depths of the ocean it any other way. sectionduty of six-hour watches, with 130 other souls for 60 days at a At 1:30 a.m., several hours after with 12 hours leftfor training, eating time, must be different at best and steaming out of her home port of and sleeping. Once submerged, it probably a little crazy. For the crew Groton, Conn., the fast attack sub- can seem like onelong day. of anattack submarine, it’s the marine, USS Groton (SSN 694) pre- “It really doesn’t make a whole lot camaraderie and the excitement of pares to dive. After all final checks of difference whether it’s day or trackingenemy subs and surface are made,the Los Angeles-class night. When you’re at sea, it just ships which luresthem to theworld submarineunceremoniously slips kind of all rolls together,” said CDR down under. beneath thedark waterof theAtlan- Larry H.Davis, Groton’s command- All sailors endure the hardships of tic Ocean- let the huntbegin. ing officer. “There is noreal day.” sea -long hours, sometimes danger- Groton is guided by the virtuosos A submarine is divided into two ous work and separation from fam- of the sub fleet - sonar technicians parts, the engine room and every- 32 ALL HANDS Crewmen on USS Groton‘s (SSN 694) Groton crewman, is anxious to get bridge guidethe submarine out of port. going with his submarine career. “I’m really looking forward to mans the conn (periscope stand). A starting my qualifications inthe few feet forward sit the ship’s driv- engine room,” Maus said. “If you ers, the helmsman/fairwater planes- look at everyone else on thesub, you man and stern planesman. It is not see dolphins, and I don’t have them. unusual to find some of the ship’s I want toget my dolphinsso I cansay more junior sailorssitting there I’m a qualified member of Groton.” since it is one of the first qualifying With room for only 28 people, the watch stations. Itdoes not take long enlisted mess deck beomes crowded to be given responsibility on a sub- in a hurry at meal time. The crew marine. does not get “surf and turf’’ every “Thehelmsman and planesman night, but they do eat well. control the depth and angle of the “That storyabout submariners ship,’’ Davis said. “The diving officer getting steakand lobster allthe time supervises them, but the guy with is amyth from way back,” said Chief the stick in his hand actually has Mess Management Specialist (SS) control of the ship.” Jack P. Swetland, Groton’s chief Becoming submarine qualified and cook. “We’ll probably have lobster attaining the coveted silver dolphins once during a deployment. We don’t is theimmediate goal of every get anything different than the sur- enlisted man new to a submarine. face ships,but we cook smaller Staying qualified and increasing portions. We’re not cooking for their knowledge on new systems is 1,000 or whatever, so the guys are ongoing for the senior submariners. able to put littlea bit more into it. “Most guys take about a year to “The meals are a big part of the qualify in submarines.They must crew‘sday,” Swetland continued. know all the ship‘s systems,” said ”Whatever service we can give Master Chief Electronics Technician them, along with a good meal, will (SS) Eddie Barrett, chief of the boat. put those guys on watch a little bit Barrett is the senior enlisted adviser happier. I think the morale on the to Groton’s commanding officer. whole ship starts with thecooks.” “But that’s just the start of your It is easy to lose track of the time qualification process - getting your of day on a submarine. Many sub- dolphins,” Barrett said. “Beyond that mariners depend onwhat type of there are lots of quals. The nuclear meal isbeing served to tell them,“If ratings strive to qualdyfor engineer- it’s eggs, it must be breakfast, and if thing else. The nuclear reactor and ing watch supervisor. The guys up it’s hamburgers, it must be Wednes- adjoining engineering spaces take up forward keep working on quals until day’s lunch.’’ the entire aft portion of the ship. But they’re up to chief of the watch and “Guyscome up for lunch and most of the action occurs amidships diving officer. So it’s a pretty inten- dinner and may not knowwhat time in the controlroom. sive qualification process.” it is. We‘ve been out for 30 or 40 days The professional atmosphere of an “It’s a significant accomplishment and they’ll ask the cooks, ‘Hey, what attack submarine starts in the con- in everybody’s career to get their time is it?”’ Swetland said. “The trol room. It is the central nervous dolphins,” Davis said. “They’ve cooks always know what timeit is.” system of the ship. An incomprehen- spent mostof their non-watch hours Arecent convert to the world sible myriad of scopes, gauges and working on them. So once they’re down under from the“skimmer” dials monitor almost every system qualified, it’s a big relief. Now they Navy of surface ships, MS 1 David M. aboard. This is wherenavigation and feel like a full contributing member Bruce was looking for a change. warfare decisions are made. of the crew.” Bruce had been on USS Blue Ridge At the center of this 30-by-30-foot After two years of nuclear power (LCC 19) with a 1,300-man crew. room, the officer of the deck (OOD) school, ET3 Jeremy Maus, anew After only a few months aboard DECEMBER 1992 33 Right: QM3(SS) Daymon Minor checks the sunrisekunset time chartin the control room. Below: With roomto seat only 28 crewmen at a time, Groton’s mess deck gets crowdedin a hurry. Groton, Bruce said he already feels at home. “I really like the crew here,” he said. “We get along real well andyou know everybody. Whereas on a sur- face ship there’s some people you see in line thatyou don’t have any idea who they are.” That’s notto say there haven’t been any adjustments for Bruce. “It took methree days to fall asleep because the rack space on a subma- rine is a lot smaller than a surface ship,” he said. “Youcan’t turn around or sit up in your rack.” Food storage is also smaller Bruce said, remembering the walk-in refrigerators and freezers on Blue Ridge. ”Here everything tendsto get piled up,” he said. “Stowage space is at a premium. Every little nook and cranny is filled.” One of the biggest differences Bruce noticed about the submarine community is theclose relationship shared not only socially among the crew, but also when there iswork to be done. He said it is not unusual to see senior enlistedpersonnel helping with working parties. “As far as cleaning, you’ll see a lot of first class’ and chiefs really getting Afterdinner, a junior crewman Trying to stay in shape is never down and scrubbing decks. And heads down tohis berthing area for easy on a ship. Groton usually car- when there’s stores to be loaded, somerest. After removing his ries exercise equipmentsuch as a everyone chips in.” “poopie suit, ” or coveralls, he stationary bike, a stair stepper and a The ability to stay submerged is a climbs intoa rack a crew mate has rowing machine. big advantage for submarines. But just left. They are “hot racking,” a “You use what room you have,” likethe strength of an army, her practicewhere twobunks are said ET2(SS)John Matuza, Groton’s crew must also travel on its stom- shared by three people. One person command fitness coordinator. ach. will always be on watch leaving the “We have a lot of people who are “Usually the limiting factor for a two bunksfull. fitness oriented andwe’ll find away submarine staying at sea is food,” “Everybody winds up hot racking to work out,” Matuza said. “We‘ve Davis said. “We makeour own at least once in their career,” said used tool boxes for bench pressing. oxygen, we make our own water, the Quartermaster1st Class (SS) Joe In betweenhatches you can lift nuclear reactor fuel lasts inexcess of Collins. “It’s either that or sleeping yourselfup and down doing dips. 10 years, so the only thingthat with a torpedo. Some boats put cots That’s the kindof improvisation you limits us is food. We load the ship in thetorpedo room. It’s not bad. It’s can use.” out for 90 days. If we had to stretch justa little strangesharing your The ship carries plenty of videos, that longer we could.” bunk with somebody.” has a smalllibrary and playing cards 34 ALL HANDS Left: MS1 David Bruce hasto walk on food in the store room to reach other supplies. The crew will eventuallyeat their way through the stores allowing Bruce easier access. Above: Crewmen use the deck between torpedoesto get their daily exercise. and other games are available at the enjoy this.It reminds them ofwhere ica’s [CV 661 battle group,’’ said ship’s only area large enough to they are. As Groton abruptly begins Davis. “During deployment with the handlea “crowd” - the enlisted divingand turning at 30-degree battle group we can conduct indica- mess deck. ”The mess is the social angles, no one hasto be remindedto tionsand warnings in advance of center of the boat,”Collins said. hold on. theirmovement, and we can con- “This is where you come to watch “We exercise the ship in large duct strike warfare in conjunction movies, talk, play cards or write angles for two reasons,” Davis said. with them. letters. Training lectures are held “One is tocheck stowage and ensure “We can also do special warfare here too. This is the only place you everything is strapped downand ops if need be,” Davis continued. can do it, so it’s where you spend a stowed properly. The other reason is “We can deliver SEALS or pick them lot of your time off.” practice. up fromthe beach, in addition tothe That is if you have any time off. ”We never know when we’re traditional roles of submarines, “As a non-qual you don’t get much going to have to change depth which is anti-surface and anti-sub- recreation,”Collins added. “They abruptlyto get out of the way of marine warfare.” work their tail-endsoff just trying to anothership or a weapon that’s The crew onsuba isboth get qualified. Those already qualified incoming.” dependent andindependent. They have it a little bit easier, but with the With the fall of the Soviet Union, must depend on one another for amount of work, even they don’t the mission of attacksubmarines survival within the harsh undersea have much time.” has shifted toreflect the New World world. The 1MC warns thecrew to Order. They are expanding from The safety of the ship is only as

“stand by for angles and dangles.” A their customary role as hunters. good as the qualifications of the slight smirk appears on the faces in “Ourprimary assignment right crew. “Every time a crew member the control room.The crew will now is as a member ofUSS Amer- signs his signature on a guy’s qual DECEMBER 1992 35 And what if youdo need some time to yourself? ‘Tour rack, that’s aboutthe only place you can be alone,” said Collins. “Or maybe the laundry. It’s great to go intothe laundry, shut the door and nobody bothers you.” When asked what type of person should go into submarines, Collins remembered back 15 years to when he switched over to subs after three years in the surface Navy. “When I initially went from sur- face to submarines,one of the things I had to do was see asubmarine- qualified psychologist. At the end of the interview I remember him say- card, he’s saying ‘I trust you withmy tialto the ship’s mission as the ing, ‘Yeah, you’re crazyenough to go life,”’ Barrett said. ability to glide silently through the on submarines.’So I guess you could “The whole purpose of qualifica- ocean. say it takes a certain temperament.” tions is so that every man on board “You’ll find most of the crew easy Storm clouds begin to gather on knows where to go and what todo in going and laid back,” explained Col- the surfaceabove Groton. At 400 case of a casualty,” added Collins. lins. “You’ll find a lot of guys on feet down, the crew is oblivious as “Let’s face it, there is a lot of water submarineskind of pick oneach they go about their daylnight rou- out there. The least little crack in other a lot, teaseeach other. But they tine.Although the ColdWar has the hulland we could be peeled open have atendency not to let small ended, the role of submarines has just as easily as a can.” things bother them either. They’re not. Groton and many boats like her The independence to be virtually real relaxed. continue to patrol their 70percentof shut off from the outside world is a “I’ve been on boats that had been the world - the oceans. Ever vig- necessary elementto living down underwater for 60 days,” he contin- ilant, theypress on with the hunt. under. ued. “When you live with 120 guys “Unlikeothercommunities for that long a period, youhave to let where mail and phones are readily the small thingsgo by.” DOK~Yis a photojournalist for All Hands available, once we go to sea and submerge, everybody’s cut off from theirfamilies and friends,” Davis said, “So you have to feel fairly secure tobe able to do that.” Submariners do receive family- grams, whichhelp them stay in touch with what’sgoing on back home. Each family can send up to eight of these 50-word messages during regular deployments. It is not surprising that submarine crews become extended families. The camaraderie becomes as essen-

Top: CDR Larry Davis, Groton’s com- manding officer, (standing in back) supervises sub diving in the control room during an “angles and dangles” drill. Right: Groton heads out to seaas she begins her patrol and the hunt. 36 Deep, dark secrets Life on board an SSBN

Story and photosby J02Jonathan Annis

ven with a rounded hull, the fleet ballistic missile skilled hands controllingthe rudder and huge horizontal submarine USS Nevada (SSBN 733) hardly planes, Nevada remained rock-solid steady. E swayed on the surface. Movement ended alto- On every Navy ship sailors rely on each other to get getheras she began herdescent into the dark, cold the job done. On board a submarineit’s more important depths of the Pacific Ocean - her home for up to 75 with hundreds of feet of water above your head as well as days. under yourfeet. As she leveled off just below 200 feet, she might as The steady hands controlling the sub help Rieger do well have been a space ship. The interior resembled a his job better. He uses inertial and satellite indicatorsto rocket out of a science fiction movie. Buttons, lights, pinpoint the ship’s positionalmost anywhere in the dials, switches, levers, handles, meters and gauges were world. This enables him to accurately plot the possible crammed into every available space. Everything and paths of the 24 ballistic missiles that can be carried on everyone was sealed off from the outside world. board. “Most people would think we‘d go nuts, but I think The missile tubes are grim remindersthat the crew is it’s just likebeing in anoffice building,” said Electronics on the cuttingedge of diplomacy. Each ballistic-missile Technician2nd Class (SS) Scott Rieger, “except that submarine can carry as much firepower as that used in every once in a whilethe building moves.’’ both world wars. “The Russians are still out there,” Ohio-class submarines can maneuverradically when Rieger said. “Even though they’re not as active as they called for, but wouldn’t during this one-day sea trial in were, they’re extremely unstable.” Dabob Bay in the Hood Canal off Bangor, Wash. With The spaces between the missile tubes become much- Nevada crew membersready her to depart Bangor, appreciated berthing areas. The space is used so that, Wash., to begin deployment. unlike aboard many other submarines,no one will have DECEMBER 1992 37 to “hot rack” - share their bunk with someone from aLeft: MSP(SS) DwayneCambric prepares bread for the noon I different shift. meal. Conscientious meal planning and storage aid him in “Some people handlesubmarine duty better than making Nevada ‘‘a good feeder.” Above: Torpedo tubes are just part of the home furnishings forTMP(SS) Randy others,” Rieger said. “I draw the curtain tomy rack and “Crudge” Crudgington. I’m in myown personal world.” Lack of privacy and hot-racking may be necessary qualified for various watch stations and equipment or evils, but life on board a submarine isimproving. Before otherwise stayingoccupied. the break-up of the Soviet Union, port callswere next to Although there’s much work to keep them occupied, nonexistent, however, according to Rieger, that’s begin- quality of life remains a major concern in the lives of ning to change. crew members, Taylor said. Things likethe movies they “We’re trying to get a port call with each run now,” bring towatch in the combined enlisted mess; the Rieger said. Usually stopping in Hawaii, the visits are treadmills, exercycle, rowing machineand punching bright spots in what is otherwise a clockwork, 75-day bag; a smoke break in the aft machinery room; or just a I cruise/l80-day cycle. good meal in thegalley take onadded importance. Even during the Persian GulfWar, SSBN rotation According to Taylor, “[the cooks] do damn good with wasn’t affected. By the timeDesert Storm was over, few what they’ve got.” At thehalf-way point of a cruise, and of Nevada’s crew knew it had begun- and onlythen by on holidays, the submariners are traditionally served a reading brief receive-only messages carrying wire-serv- special meal. Menus include shrimp,scallops, prime rib, ice news, their only newslink to theoutside world. turkey, ham and allthe trimmings, although most fruits “There are always so many questions [about world and vegetables come fromcans. events] and no answers,” Rieger said. “You still have a Separated into frozen, chilledand dry provision job to do, so you do it, and allthe worries are set aside.” storerooms, an SSBN carries 90 days of square meals. Quartermaster 2nd Class (SS)Mark A. Taylor agrees. “We carry more than a ton of food,” said Mess “For me thisis the easiest job and the hardest - easy on Management Specialist 2nd Class (SS)Dwayne Cambric. the back and hard on thebrain. It’s best to staybusy. The The cooks can become the most respected, or least less youthink about what you miss, the better.” liked, crew members in a hurry. “About 90 percent of Since there’s no sun togo by and notenough people to the crew enjoy the food. If a meal isn’t popular, you’re stand four watch sections, days last 18 hours. The going to find out about it right away,” said Cambric. average SSBN sailor spends six hours on watch, another Between meals, with personal storage limited, acandy six sleeping and an additionalsix hours working, getting stashcan be a sailor’s personal treasurechest, said 38 ALL HANDS keep it hidden on board for their spouse, and on special days the husbandwill get aletter, small gift or somethingmemorable. Taylor said thesedistractions from the routinehelp make the timefly by. Unlike many onboard, Taylor, with his quartermaster rating, could go to another type of vessel, but chooses not to. “I wouldn’t do anything else permanently, but I’d like todo surface for two monthsand see whatit’s like.” Keeping everyone content with this duty is the domain of the chief of the boat (COB),who advises the captain and has. long been considered to fill one of the most important enlisted positions in theNavy. “Our families are smallerhere, according to division,” said Nevada‘s COB, Master Chief Machinist Mate (SS) Dewayne Christiensen. “You learn to adjust, get along or stay away from each other. We’re too educated, too high-tech to fool around. We catch little things long before they become problems. “I can walk aboutthe shipand see someone andknow who they are - their status, their likes and dislikes, their wife’s name andeven some of their kids- and I’m not the onlyone,” said Christiensen.

Torpedoman 2nd Class (SS) Randy Crudgington. “You can’t really eat on watch, buteverybody brings their own munchies. Since there arezero days off at sea, it’s a way of rewarding yourself for a job well done.” Favorite snacksserve almost like currencywhen underway, Crudgington said. “Some guys like gum, some like crackers and cheese, some like blow-pops, some like flavored tea. When you get to sea and you crave a candy bar, and there’sno convenience storefor a thousand miles - you can get just about anything for the right candy bar.” Coffee, as always, runs Nevada, as evidenced by the coffee machine located in the navigation center. The chief of the boat (COB)is rarely seen without his custom mug and the captain brings aboard his own brand of coffee. ti If coffee runsthe ship, “family-grams” boost her morale. Each sailor canget a maximumof eight 50-word receive-only messages per patrol from wives or family members. This isusually the only mail theyreceive. The lack of easy communication sometimes puts a lot of stress in a marriage. Most submarinersagree that marriage is tough. Those marriages that do survive often do so through “cruise boxes.” Wives often pack and date boxes of small items that mean a lot to their husbands. They ask a shipmate to

Even while underway,MT2(SS) Walter F. “Beave” Summer111 can jog a few miles on one ofNevada’s treadmills.

DECEMBER 1992 39 submariner is questioned about what he’s learned and collects signatures - each worth a certain number of pointsto stay ahead of the ‘/dinq”(delinquent in qualification) list. A training officer reviews his book at the end of each week andthe sponsor pushes him along. During this time,it’s important theNUB feel a partof the crew’s camaraderie. “The first thingwe do is assign them a creative nickname,”said Missile Technician 2nd Class (SS)Walter F. “The Beave” Summer III. “It helps to identify with yourselfand breaksup the monotony, especially in the weapons department., The rest of the boat follows along.” For example, MT1 (SS) Christopher “Ninja-Buddha” Love is amartial arts expertwho takes outhis frustrations on the punching bag, but presents a calm demeanor. Standing watch on the missile fire control board can understandably cause a great deal of anxiety if it’s all that occupies yourmind, said MTC(SS) Dale“Clark Kent” Borel. /!We rehearse this so many times, youreally try not to think about the job you’re doing,’’ Borelsaid. “We can be joking one minute and the nextit can be totally silent.’’ As the deployment draws to a close, the crew begins I “tube days.” When 24days are left, a sign is shifted from missile tube tomissile tube until the submarinesurfaces ET3 Lance Thomas so is new he doesn’t yet havea nickname. and pulls into port. Crew members will clutch their Thomas usually spendstwo hours aftereach watch studying loved ones and friends, catch up on news and live a in the ship’s study tobe watch qualified. normal life - until once again it’s time toplot a course for the dark, cold depths of the ocean. Christiensen emphasized the amountof cross-training each submariner receives since the submarine is sucha smallcommunity. Overall, cross-training enables a submariner to be able to walk away from his job and Annis is assigned to NIRA Det. 5, Sun Diego. \02(SW) Tim continue to have the submarine run smoothly because Conner contributed to this piece. someone hasbeen cross-trained tofill the position. Chief of the Boat, MMCM(SS) Dewayne Christiensen keepsa Training is not the only mission for a COB. Another watchful eyeon line-handling operations as Nevada heads for responsibility isrecommending disciplinary action, the sea. althoughthese recommendations don’thappen very often, according to Christiensen. When a crewman isin trouble, it’s known throughout the ship, and when a sailor goes to mast, ‘somebody failed,” he said. Being part of a tight-knit group iswhat being a submarine sailor is allabout, and it allstarts upon reporting aboard. Each sailor, usuallya petty officer, arrives with several months or more than a year of training. He is then assigned a sponsor or “sea daddy.” The sea daddy is there to answer questionsand lead the new sailor through the check-inprocess. From there, the NUB, asubmarine acronym for “non-usable body,”goes through theindoctrination division and begins qualifying for watches. After study- ingand working for thenext several months,the 40 ALL HANDS Chief of the boat Story by PHl(AW) Joseph Dorey

e roams his domain with a the ship. To a submarine crew, he is experience in thesubmarine force as coffee cup inone hand and a known as “COB.” He is the chief of the commanding officer,” said CDR H clipboard in the other.He is the boat. Larry H. Davis, commanding officer looked upon as the “answer man.” “The COB is like a fatherfigure for of attacksubmarine USS Groton Usually themost senior enlisted the majority of the crew. He has the (SSN 694). “The chief of the boat is sailor aboard, his experience is relied most experience of any enlisted man the principal assistantto meon upon to run the daily operations of on the crew and as much or more anythingthat has to do withthe enlisted crew. He keeps the execu- ! tive officer and me informed on what’s goingon with thecrew every- ’ day.” As the senior enlisted crewman on a submarine, the COB’s role is mul- tifaceted. He is part command mas- ter chief, part master-at-arms, part executive assistant and the ultimate “sea daddy.” The COB writesall watch bills and assigns berthing on the sub. He oversees the training and qualifica- tion of the crew. He holds inspec- tions and monitors watch standers. “The COB’s job is to run the daily routine of the sub,” said Master Chief Electronics Technician (SS) Eddie R. Barrett, Groton’s COB. ‘‘He runs the ship and allows the CO to train the officers who are ‘fighting’ and navigating the ship.” As COB on USS Grayling (SSN 646), Senior Chief Machinist’s Mate (SS)Robert F. Sandstrom sees part of his role as that of a counselor and teacher. “A lot of the stuff I do is what some guy’s mom probablydid for him a year and a halfago,” Sand- strom said. “I make them wear the rightkind of clothes,make them keep their racks squared away and their gear stowed. I establishthe standards and enforce them. “I’m sure there’s a lotof adjectives the crew usesto describeme.

ETCM(SS) Eddie Barrett, Groton‘s chief of the boat, keepsa careful watchon the depth gauges in the control room during a dive. Barrett normally stands watch as diving officer when thesub goes to battle conditions. DECEMBER 1992 41 2

. GrayNng COB MMCS(SS) Robert Sand- . strom uses the messdeck to get feed- ’ back from crew members with HMC(SS) I Charles S. Miller during lCEX 92.

NavalSubmarine School, Groton, Conn., serving as COB was a mix- ture of highs and lows. “It was probably the best job I ever hated,” said Lindenberger, recalling his time as COB on ballistic missile submarine USS Ulysses S. Grant (SSBN 631). “Sometimesit was very, very frustrating because of the high standards I set and trying to get 150 men to meet thosestandards. But on the other hand, the COB was proba- bly the most rewarding job I ever had. I had direct contactwith everyone - notonly the enlisted There’s no doubt that they thinkI’m people he has to -he’s a better man community - but you are leaned the biggest horse’s rear end that ever than I’ll ever be.” upon by the junior officers and walked the face of the earth a lot of A close working relationship usu- department heads as well.” times. ally develops between the COB and Lindenberger said being a COB “But other times they’ll come to the commanding officer according to allowed him to become more per- me with a problem that they don’t Sandstrom. sonally involved with his crew.“I know how they’re ever going to “If the captain wants something would go down tothe berthing solve,” Sandstrom continued. ‘‘And done, I tell him what I think,” he spaces and talk to the guys in their either I’ve seen it before or I know said. “I believe he listens tome. He racks or sit with them in the mess the right person to send them to.’’ may not go the way I recommend, and say,‘I understand youhave a After duty on six submarines as anbut I believe he takes whatI say into problem. Whydon’t you come see auxiliaryman,Sandstrom considers consideration. That’s a special trust me and we’ll talk about it.’ being the COB “challenging every I’ve gained with him.’’ “You’re emotionallymore day. Trust is also important in another involved with your crew because it’s “I find it’s much easier to fix a of the COB’S roles. On most subma- so small andyou’re so isolated from pump than to fix an attitude,” he rines, the COB is a qualified diving the world when you’re submerged,” said. “Not only do I have to do the officer. Unlike a command master Lindenberger said. things the command wants, but I chief, he is active inthe actual Barrett agrees that a COB is close have to takecare of the people.” driving of the ship. The diving officer to hiscrew and their families,saying Grayling crewman, MM1 (SS) supervises helmsmanthe and he knows all the crew’s wives’ and Steve Avery believes Sandstrom planesman as wellas chief of the childrens’ names, and most of the tries hard to meet the needs of the watch. problems they have. “I could tell you crew. “The COB catches a lotof hell, For former attack submarine com- the financialsituation of almost but that’s the position he’s in,” mander, CAPT Charles J. Beers Jr., every crew member on this ship,” he Avery said. “I wouldn’t wantthe only one person was going to stand said, ‘‘and I could probably drive you headaches of that job.He’s got to the diving officer watch during bat- to most of their homes.” deal with thehierarchy pluskeep the tle stations on hissub. But among the many duties of the rest of the crewhappy. It takes a “I trustedthe COB morethan COB, molding the crew into a cohe- strong-willed person to handle that anybody else to do the best job as sive unit has been the most reward- job.” diving officer forcritical depthkeep- ing Barrett said. “The COB is the “He’s the type of person you can ing and course,” Beers said. “That best job I ever had because I can see talk toif you needto,” said MM2(SS) way I could concentrate on shooting my results on adaily basis.” Donny Donovan about Sandstrom. torpedoes and not have to watch the “This is his boat, and he’s got to diving party. On a submarine,one or make sure everyone does their job. I two feet can be very critical.” Toe Bartlett contributed to this story. couldn’t handle being here as much ToMMCM(SS) Harry F. Linden- Dorey and Bartlett are assigned to All as heis and dealing with someof the berger, military standards officer at Hands. 42 ALL HANDS

board USS Grayling (SSN 646)’ lookouts push blocks A of ice from the sail to get a better look attheir surroundings. Grayling, homeportedChar-in leston, S.C., has spanned the globe to arrive in the world’s mosthostile environment - the polar ice cap. The nuclear submarine provides a unique research platform inthe world’s most complex and most poorly understood region. “In some respects we’re laying the groundwork for the future,” said CDRRobert P. Dunn, Grayling‘s commanding officer.“A better understanding of what’s happening maximum amountof force to the ice Grayhg crewmen take arare breathof up here occurs every time we send without damaging a multimillion fresh air after surfacing through the someone up.” dollar taxpayer investment. Arctic ice pack. But scientific research is only one The Sturgeon-class attack subma- out inone-foot increments. The “X” aspect of Ice Exercise ’92 (ICEX’92). rine is equipped with a reinforced fillsthe monitor’s screen and Submarines get a rare chanceto sail, rotatable fair-waterplanes and a becomesamere slash of bright practice beneath a“roof” - making strengthened rudder. Special sonar white. Suddenly, Grayling lurches as some a littleuneasy. helps guide the boat through the hersail smashes intothe ice. “You get a little worried under the craggy underbelly of the pack - a Upward progress abruptly stops, and ice because you can’t just jump to chaotic mountain range turned on more air slowly lifts the sail through. the surface in an emergency. You its back. A camera mounted on the Lookouts scurry up to the sail’s have that ice pack above you,” said sail provides a unique “window”for lofty perch, welcomed by a horizon Machinist’s Mate 2nd Class (SS) Grayling’s control-room personnel, of whiteand windchills of 100- Donny Donovan. and a small outboard motor which below zero. While there are no tour- The Arctic poses real challenges to rotates 360 degrees helps position ist traps at the topof the world, any sonar technicians - the eyes and the boat during her ascent. chance for a submariner to breathe ears of the submarine. Spring warm- Personnel from the Applied Phys- outside air- no matter howcold - ing turns the normally quiet Arctic ics LaboratoryIce Station provide is a welcome opportunity. watersinto a melee of sound as the target - a circled “X” swept off The Cold War’s defrosting hasn’t melting sheets of ice break off and to allow the sun’s rays to illuminate slowed submariners’ study of the collide to create ridges of ice moun- the way. The target brightens Gray- Arctic as they continue to hone their tainsatop the pack. To a sonar ling’s control room throughthe skills for “warfare in the tunnel.” technician trying to track an adver- monitormounted near the peri- “We still practicewhat needs to be sary, it’s like trying to find a silent scope. As the diving officer guides done,” Dunn said. “Today an enemy kernel in a sea of rice krispies. his planesmen tokeep the boat level can develop in a couple of weeks.” “If there ever is a wartime situa- and rate of ascentconstant, the If that enemydevelops, the Navy’s tion,we need to have the best officer of the deck aims for the submarine force is prepared - in capabilities,” said Sonar Technician target, inching the sub into position warm water, deep water and the vast (Submarine) (SS) 2nd Class Mark with theoutboard. frontier of the Arctic. Freitag. (‘We need abetter under- At 140 feet down, Grayling’s rate Themonolith descends slowly, standing of Arcticconditions. of ascentis moved to30-feet-per- disappearing into the cold depths. There’s a lotof unknowns here.” minute. As the boat nears the pack, Blocks of displaced ice fall into their Breaking through the ice is notan the diving officerblows ballast to formerpositions in theendless easy evolution. You don’t just point edge the bow up four degrees - plain. The wind continues its hiss. the bow toward the surface and step saving the boat’s screw and rudder All evidence of man is erased. on the gas to crash through. Great from damage during surfacing. Ten- care must be takento inflict the sion mounts as the depth is called Bartlett is assigned to All Hands. 44 ALL HANDS f

Every time you go away Coping with silent separation

Story by JOl Steve Orr

o one - no one- has done Time underway is a fact of life in only one way communication. You more to prevent conflict, theno Navy. Whether surface, sub- may get to send the family-gram and N onehas made a greater surface or aviation, Navy families that's it." sacrifice for the cause of peace than are separated for days, weeks or "A good family-gram isan art you, America's proud missile sub- months, and spouses are left behind form," continued O'Beirne. "You marine family. to cope. Many do well; others do not. have to be able to condense signifi- And ifyou, our sailors, especially According to Kathleen O'Beirne, cant material toyour husband intoa our submariners, are often so alone deputy director of the Family Service message the whole fleetmay see. In in your great work, you are never, Center (FSC) at Naval Submarine that 50-word communication, a wife never alonein your great sacrifice - Base New London. Groton, Conn., somehow transmits themessage and the sacrifice you share with your submarine deploymentproblems are conveys that she and the family are families, with yourparents, with magnified because of the very nature OK - emotionally, physically and your wives and with your children of the silentservice. O'Beirne should socially." [while] waiting silently at the pier know; she is the wife of a recently The importance of a family-gram for all thoselong,lonely retired submarine captain. to a deployed submariner cannot be months. . . . Weowe adebt of Communication between families over emphasized, said Barbara Ross, gratitude to our sailors and to their and a sub's crew is more restrictive an FSC deployment specialistat families. - Gen.Colin L. Powell, than in the surface fleet, O'Beirne New London. Ross is another sub- Chairman of the Toint Chiefs of Staff said. "Depending on the nature of ject-matterexpert. Her husband, a atthe ceremony for the 3000th the sub's mission, the crew may or chief, has been a submariner for 15 SSBN patrol. may not get any mail. Often, there is years. DECEMBER 1992 45 Long, silent separation is a way of life for submariners and their families.

“My husbandsays those who receive the family-grams often pour over them,trying to determine what’s being said, trying to find meaningbetween the lines,” Ross said. “One chief admittedhe received a family-gram that seemed to have one word missing. He won- dered for the rest of the cruise whether somethingwas wrong.” The one-way nature of family- grams seems to intensify an already long deployment, O’Beirne said. Withina family, thereare always decisions to be made and additional responsibilities tobe shouldered, but there’s no way to share theburden. Because the frequency of sub mis- fights that parentsseem to have are somepositive points unique to a sions can cause emotional distress before deployment. Thingslike that, military community. for those left behind, especially chil- seenthrough a kid’seye, can get “AS wives, we can use this period dren, some families have discovered interpreted badly.” to pursue new opportunities, learn their own creative ways of dealing As homecoming day draws closer, new things and try newexperiences. with short-termseparation. anxieties and expectations aboutthe We couldn’t do that if we weren’t in “Some of these subs only come in impendingreunion run high. this kind of environment.” for a weekend at atime,” said O’Beirne and Ross agree the home- Ross said thatwith the proper O’Beirne. “Thereare spouses here coming is perhaps the most impor- commitment and reflection, separa- who meet their husband in a motel. tant aspect of a Navy separation. tion can make marriagea stronger. They don’t even let their kids know “We know fromour counseling “As far as the marriage goes, a that dad is coming home. statistics the homecoming is really separation is unique,’’ she explained. “The frequentseparation is so the most difficult emotional adjust- “There’s noother place wherea emotionally rough on the children ment for all members of the family, couple can examinethe changes that that the parents make that decision. maybe even more so than the initial are takingplace in their relationship, I may not agree that it’s the right separation,’’ O’Beirne revealed. and then merge them together after decision, but I can certainly under- “Because the myth isso strong that, homecoming toreally examine what stand why they do it.” ‘I’m not going to have trouble with their marriage is all about. According to O’Beirne dealing the reunion, it will be wonderful,’ “Many people go throughmar- with a child’s distress at long-term people rarely admit they had some riage in a very status quo-type of separation requires delicate a difficulty with it. way,” Ross concluded. “For people approach. “AS a result, a lot of families feel who go through deployment, there “Fathers are encouraged to spend terribly guilty when their homecom-are continuous opportunities to re- quality timewith their children, ing doesn’t play out like a Holly- examine strengths and weaknesses explaining clearly, onthe child’s wood honeymoon,” said O’Beirne. and to grow together. There are not level, the importance of why he has “The problem canescalate until too many places where you can to leave, and reassuring the child they need counseling.” make that determination.” that dad will return,” shesaid. “We often hear a lotof negativism “If you aren’t clear with children,’’ about deployment,” said Ross. “I do O’Beirne stressed, “little kids can it myself whenmy husband is Orris assigned to NIRA Det. 4, Norfolk. 103 Chris Alves, assigned to the public drum up some remarkable reasons deployed - I don’t like it much affairs office, Commander, Submarine why dad left, particularly if they when he’s gone - and I findmyself Group 2, contributed to this story. have been privy tothe standard dwelling on the negative. But, there 46 ALL HANDS rides. submarines for a living. He ) has to go away from me and the ‘est of my family a lot, just like some If the otherdads around here. I miss lim a lot when he is gone.- He goes lway a lot- sometimes for as much ts six months It’s hard to tnd it hurts inside. Hewrites ‘rom alot of different places and when my dad calls me from some- Nhere far away, it makes me smile md feel better inside. My dad says wen though I can’t go with him, he :akes me, my little brother and my nommy with him in a special way -he always takes us with him in his leart. A lot of times I would give tnything just to hughim or givehim likes his joL .“id the men h- .. ____-Seelng what Dad does when heis gone t kiss. with. He even gets to drive the boat is one techniqueto help children cope My dad took me to his boat to talkat times. with separations. :o some of the other dads so I could (c) NathanFields has been in th ;ee how they felt when they were Navyfor four years and heis a ..lth him. tway fromtheir families. Here is machinist’s mate.He has a wife My mom and dad argue before 1 Khat some of them said to me: amedTammy. He worries about dad leaves, but they make up beforc (a) Paul Menke has been in the her while he is gone. He wonders if dad has to go. It is so hard to I T Vavy for 25 years. He is theengineer things go wrong for her while he is goodbye. You know that you can 1 upervisor. He has wife a named Sue gone. He says not knowing how she do anything about it. md two daughters that are married. is or not being able to talk to her When I talkedto the other menor +le misses good barbecued hamburg- when he wants to isreal frustrating. my dad’s boat, I found out that :rs and Star Trek! He also misses He also misses her shrimp salad. everyone leaves someone behinc ;unshine and fresh air. I asked him Nathan said he joined the Navy that they care about. It doesn’t mat, Nhy he joined the Navy. He said, “It because he didn’thave enough ter if you’re married or if you’re not Mas a challenge.” His wife lives in money for college. He likes his job It doesn’teven matter how long .other state so even when the boat because he likes to work with his someonehas been inthe Navy. ; ;omes home, he still can’t hug her. hands. He helps to provide the oxy- hard for -11 -‘them, anS t 3e can only call her. gen for the boat. (They don’t have air inh. LI (b)LT Tim Walker has been in the to breathe on a submarine like we Vavy for five years and is the com- do, so they have to recycle the a nunication officer. He misses fresh and make new air.) Healso says that Toal, daughter of Lisa and MMC(SS) Edward uiceand Notre Dame football. I when he first joined the Navy, he Toal, is a student at Mary Morrison School lsked him why he joined the Navy. liked to travel. It was fun. But not Groton, Conn. Reprinted wjth permjssion 0, 3e said it is a challenge to him. He anymore because Tammy can’t t The Day Publishing Go., #twl;ondon, Coxa.. IECEMBER 1992 47 “His grandfather died at 25, his father died at 25, and he was 25. . . . He was the only one [of the crew] who didn’t get back.” Deja The most memorable eventwas rescuing the crew of vu 0-29, a Dutch submarine thatfoundered on areef in the SouthChina Sea.After theDutch wereaboard, the Americans destroyed the [Dutch] sub withtorpedoes “so Sub museum brings the Japanese couldn’t get to it,” O’Neal said. He also recalled a time when the submarine had to submerge to avoid a hit from an enemyplane. back vet’s memories “We had left the boarding party on a Japanese ship after an attack,” O’Neal said. ‘‘When we cameback up, Story by Kelly Wilson we didn’t know which one they were on. We searched ob O’Neal recently got to lie down again in the three days. Another sub found them and returned bunkhe used while serving ona U.S. Navy them.” submarine during World War II. O’Neal enjoyed reminiscing at thereunion. He hadn’t He climbed out of the same torpedo room, stood at the seen many of the crew for 47 years. “When I got out, I same helm and remembered the stuffy, cramped quar- was out’’ and didn’t stay in contact, he said. ters he lived in for almost twoyears. He also recalled the Surviving crew members received a book written by a war patrols his sub, USS Cod (SS224), participatedin. fellow sailor who is nowdeceased. “He sleptin the bunk O’Neal, who served in the Navy from April 1943 to to theleft of me,” O’Neal said. November 1945, was surprised to discover that Cod was Pat O’Neal wasalmost as excited as his father to visit still around. In fact, it is the only authentically restored the sub. “As a child, I remember mulling over albums World War II American submarinein existence. and hearing [about] all the things that went on during O’Neal’s son, Pat, of Erie, Pa., came across an article World War 11,” he said. ‘‘Dad was really enthused.” about Cod in a newspaper last July. O’Neal said he’s happy Cod is being seen today. He “It looked like the sametype of boat my father was on even donated some items tothe museum - a remnant during the war,’’ Pat said. Wp in thecorner, I recognized from 0-29 given to him by a Dutch sailor and a Cod the number 224 and thought, ‘Wow, that isDad’s ship. I pennant. didn’t know it still existed.”’ The sub is now a museumin Cleveland. Pat took his Wilson is a writer for the Quincy Herald-Whig, Quincy, Ill. father there during an August visit. Surviving crew members of USS Cod visited the sub “It was a surprise tome,” said the seniorO’Neal,’ who museum at their last reunion. was a quartermaster during World War 11. The entire family toured Cod free of charge since O’Neal was a former crew member. Cod made seven war patrols, with O’Neal participat- ing inthe last four. Thefinal patrol was themost memorable, he said, because it was captured on film. “On the last patrol run,it was one sailor’s assignment to record several reels of film,” O’Neal said. One of the crew got a copy of the film lastyear and transferred it to video tape. O’Neal and 25 other former crew members received copies at a recent reunion. As O’Neal watched the video, he remembered the young faces asthey held up placards bearing their names, and recalled some of the incidents that occurred during that seventh patrol run as the crew sank Japanese ships in theSouth Pacific. He remembered the only sailor lost - Andrew G. Johnson -who washedoverboard while fighting a firein the sub’s torpedo room. O’Nealsaid Johnson had a premonition that thecrew wasn’t goingto make itback. 48 I IPA!