NAVAL SUBMARINE LEAGUE Pacific Southwest Chapter 2019-2020 Activities The Pacific Southwest Chapter continued to be on a “roll” throughout the year, until the COVID Virus changed things, as it did for most of the world. The April 2020 scheduled events got wiped off the slate and the COMSUBPAC Sailor of the Year activities and the Submarine Birthday Ball got re-imagined or can- celled, as did our April Luncheon and Forum. However, before the recent dramatic changes, our luncheons continued to be the high points in our outreach and activities plan. We had an outstanding group of speak- ers throughout the year that brought with them interesting and professionally related topics for our at- tendees. Our average attendance was at about 65, but we were pleased to see active duty attendees when they could break from their busy schedules. It was gratifying to see Midshipmen at several of our meetings from the NROTC Unit here which combines the students from five of the local colleges and universities. Our speakers included: Commodore Chris Cavanaugh, COMSUBRON ELEVEN, Retired CDR Ray Fer- brache “China’s Submarine Force”, CAPT Brien Dickson, CO of Naval Base Point Loma, CAPT Tim Slentz, CO of Naval Base Coronado, CAPT Mike Dowling, CO of the Tactical Training Group Pacific, Retired CAPT Zoltan Kelety, Marine Superintendent, Scripps Institution of Oceanography “Flooding Casualty on USS DOLPHIN”, CAPT Eric Cooper, USCG, CO Maritime Security Response Team West, RADM Tom Ishee, Director, Undersea Warfare Division, (N97) and Retired CAPT Charlie MacVean “Admiral Rickover-Up Close and Personal”. The Chapter has begun the practice of recognizing a sailor at each luncheon with the presentation of passes to either the MIDWAY Museum or the San Diego Maritime Museum. The sailor to be recognized at each luncheon is selected by the COMSUBRON ELEVEN Command Master Chief. Tours are always high on the list of “Items of Interest”. The tours are always predicated on asset availabil- ity. The Chilean submarine CS O’Higgins was enroute to San Diego when she was turned around to return to home port to comply with the COVID guidance from Chile. We were able to tour the USS ESSEX (LHD- 2) in the Fall of 2019. Time with the Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing was highlighted with “flight time” in the MH-60 Simulators. Tours of the Submarine Learning Center, the USS ALEXANDRIA and the Marine Mam- mal Facility rounded out our touring. We participated in the welcoming of USS ANNAPOLIS as she arrived in San Diego and we were also in the send off activities for USS PASADENA. In January 2020 we asked to participate in the grand sail away ceremony for the Peruvian submarine BAP ANGAMOS. Gifts were ex- changed and we watched them get underway for their 30 day transit home after their very productive and professional exercises with all manner of US Navy assets in the SOCAL areas. Although the COMSUBPAC Sailor of the Year activities were scheduled for San Diego, they got realigned into a virtual event which allowed the finalists to remain in their respective homeports. Still, we honored the terrific achievements of the winners as we provided VISA Cards to the COMSUBPAC Ashore and Afloat winners and the COMSUBRON ELEVEN Senior and Junior Winners Ashore and Afloat. The Chapter also honored the 2019 SUBRON ELEVEN Battle Efficiency Winner—USS HAMPTON. In this case we have giv- en money to the submarine’s FRG (Family Readiness Group) for them to use as needed. We likewise assisted in the arrival festivities for USS ANNAPOLIS. The Chapter continues to increase interactivity with the NROTC Unit which is physically located at the University of San Diego. Currently the Sophomore Class instructor is a submarine qualified Lieutenant who served on an SSN in San Diego and so he has been very keen on ele- vating NSL awareness among his students. And as always, we stand ready to support the Freddie Warder Award as requested. The Chapter was led during this period by: President—CAPT Sam Ward, USN, (Ret.) Vice President—Mr. Bruce Renne Second Vice President—CMDCM JR O’Donnell and Jeffrey Hiscocks, USN, CSS11 Treasurer—CAPT Keith Fargo, SC, USN, (Ret.) Secretary—CAPT Charlie MacVean, USN, (Ret.) CAPT Sam Ward with the CO and XO of the Peruvian Submarine BAP ANGAMOS Naval Submarine League Pacific Southwest Chapter April 2019 Newsletter http://pacificsouthwest.navalsubleague.com [email protected] April and May Activities As is normal at this time in the Spring, we will not have an April NSLPACSW Luncheon and Forum. April 11-14 activities are focused on the Submarine Birthday Ball April 5-USS ALEXANDRIA Change of Command at10:00 am April11-Pacific Southwest Naval Sub League Social Event This is a first of many. Naval Base Point Loma is inviting us all to a 4 pm time together featuring a talk on the USS THRESHER, lost 4/10/1963. Retired Captain Jim Bryant will describe his research into and the results --=...:.Ss:5,_-- . of this event that changed so many aspects of our submarine's �- :!:-� �,,;, construction and operation. '!), � April12- 8:00 am, Tour Submarine Learning Center April12- 10:00 Old Timers Luncheon (Tolling of the Boats and Taco Buffet at the USS RONCADOR Memorial) USS THRESHER April13-Submarine Birthday Ball (SSN-593) April14-Oceanview Brunch Opens Its Season. May 14-NSLPACSW Luncheon/Forum, RADM Ed Anderson from SPAWAR speaking Tours of a ZUMWALT Class DDG and an SSN are still being worked on and are dependent on ship availability. Details for all of these functions or events have been provided separately. Should you have questions or need additional information, please contact NSLPACSW at: [email protected] Or 619-508-4401 (Talk or Text) June Elections At our June Meeting Officers will be elected for the next Year. Please let us know if you, or someone you know, is a potential Candidate. Sam Ward, President ([email protected]) SAM7 WARD Pacific SW Chapter I Naval Submarine League Pacific Southwest Chapter May 2019 Newsletter http://pacificsouthwest.navalsubleague.com [email protected] Our Program for May 14th, 2019 DATELINE- Submarine SQUADRON ELEVEN With Commodore Chris Cavanaugh Captain Chris Cavanaugh, a native of Convoy, Ohio, graduated from the United States Na­ val Academy in 1993 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After commissioning, he attended the University of California at Berkeley and earned a master's degree in Nuclear Engineering. He later earned a master's degree in Foreign Affairs from the Catholic Uni­ versity of America and was selected as a Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI fellow. His sea duty assignments include serving as a Division Officer in USS PORTSMOUTH (SSN 707), Engineer in USS CHARLOTTE (SSN 767), and Executive Officer in USS ASHEVILLE (SSN 758). He commanded USS ALBUQUERQUE (SSN 706), leading a team that completed two Western Pacific deployments, earned a Navy Unit Commendation, and was awarded the COMSUBRON ELEVEN Battle Efficiency "E" for 2013. His shore assignments include serving in the Strategy and Policy Division (N51) for the Chief of Naval Operations, as Squadron Engineer for COMSUBRON THREE, as the Submarine Executive Officer/Post-Executive Officer detailer at Na­ vy Personnel Command (PERS-42), and as Deputy Director for Nuclear Propulsion Programs (N133) for the Chief of Na­ val Personnel. Most recently, he was the Program and Budget Branch Chief (J8 PBAD) for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Captain Cavanaugh is currently serving as Commander, Submarine Squadron 11 in San Diego. He also recently de­ ployed to Argentina as Commander, Task Group 46 to lead search and rescue efforts for a missing submarine, ARA SAN JUAN. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and Meritorious Service Medal (five awards). He is proud to have served in units awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation (three awards), and Battle Efficiency "E" (four awards). For The Latest on Everything, Check Out Our Website http://pacificsouthwest.navalsubleague.com Sam Ward, SAM President WARD ([email protected]) Pacific:: SW Chapttr Naval Submarine League Pacific Southwest Chapter June 11th, 2019 Speaker Update Our Updated Program for June 11th, 2019 "China's Submarine Force, Are They the Sleeping Giant?" With CDR Ray Ferbrache, USN, (Ret.) Captain Brien Dickson, the Commanding Officer of Naval Base Point Loma, was originally scheduled to be our speaker for June 11th. However, "Needs of the Service" have dictated a change in his plans and availability. We have assurances that he will return to our podium in the Fall. Commander Ray Ferbrache was born and raised in Turlock, CA. He was a graduate of the California Maritime Academy in 1960 with a Bachelor's Degree in Nautical Engineering and a US Coast Guard License as 3rd Assistant Engineer for Steam and Diesel, Any Horsepower, Any Ocean. He then served for one year in the Merchant Marine before being called to active Duty by the United States Navy .. Commander Ferbrache served for two years on a Destroyer Es­ cort, then was assigned to Submarine School, New London, CT .. He completed his submarine Qualification on USS CAI MAN (SS-323), then served as the Ops/Nav Officer on USS CARBA­ NARO (SS-337), Then on to Executive Officer, USS TANG (SS-563), Following that, he was the Commanding Officer, USS TRINGA (ASR-16) and then the Executive Officer of USS EMORY S. LAND (AS-39). Commander Ferbrache's Staff Duties included those in the Intelli­ gence Field. His last Naval Service assignment was at the Operational Test and Evaluation Force where he was the Test Director for the evaluations of the Tomahawk Missile Block I set, then the Mk 48 ADCAP Torpedo and finally the CCS MK1 Combat Fire Control System.