USSVI and Submarine News Updates

There isn't a lot happening with Seattle USSVI Base right now, but I wanted to pass along some USSVI and submarine news updates.

Army Approves USS Thresher Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery

The Secretary of the Army, Dr. Mark Esper, has approved the proposed USS Thresher Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) Memorial. The memorial is dedicated to the 129 men lost aboard USS Thresher (SSN-593) on April 10, 1963 while conducting deep dive exercises 220 miles off of Cape Cod.

The loss of Thresher was the largest Submarine disaster ever experienced by our Nation, and led to the inception of the Submarine Safety (SUBSAFE) program that has, and continues to protect the men and women who serve on our Nations Submarines.

In the 55 years since the inception of SUBSAFE, we have lost only one Submarine, USS Scorpion in what is believed to be due to a battery explosion. In the 46 years prior, we experienced a non-combat average loss rate of one Submarine every 3 years.

The USS Thresher ANC Memorial Foundation received nearly $60,000 in donations from USS Thresher family, USS Thresher former crew, Submarine Veterans, current and former Naval Sea Systems and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard employees. This will cover the cost of the memorial and ensure that funding will be in place to replace the monument in perpetuity.

On behalf of the USS Thresher family and former crew, the USS Thresher Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Foundation would like to thank the ANC representatives who conducted the analysis of our proposal, and provided the lower five levels of approval prior to the final approval signature received today from the Secretary of the Army.

See the USS Thresher Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Foundation website for the story of USS Thresher.

2019 USSVI Awards Nominations are Open

We have many individual members and Bases that contribute untold hours working to help their shipmates, advance our organization and follow the directives of our purpose/creed. Unfortunately, too many of these efforts and accomplishments go unnoticed because they take place at the local level and remain under National's radar. But you can change that by nominating them for an award!

Please don’t procrastinate, read the individual award requirements and submission procedures described in the 2019 USSVI Awards Manual and take the painless steps to recognize these Shipmates, Bases, and Newsletters.

You can see a PDF version of the 2019 USSVI Awards Manual on the USSVI National website.

2019 Awards Submission Timeline

• February 1, 2019: All USSVI Members in good standing submit their Award nominations to the National Awards Committee Chairman John Stanford.
• April 30, 2019: All Award nominations (with exception of Newsletter Award) must be received by the National Awards Committee Chairman.
• May 15, 2019: Deadline for submission of Newsletters for Newsletter of the Year Award.

2019 Western Region Roundup

The annual USSVI Western Region Roundup will be held at Don Laughlin's Resort and Casino in Laughlin Nevada from March 25 through March 29, 2019.

Highlights include guest speakers Frank Hood, co-author of "Poopie Suits and Cowboy Boots" and Capt Dick Noreika, former Commanding Officer of USS Kamehameha and USS Michigan and Trident Refit Facility, Bangor WA. Note that book sales from "Poopie Suits and Cowboy Boots" will benefit the Charitable Foundation.

Laughlin has many activities in addition to reminiscing in the hospitality room or partaking in a game of chance in the casino. Visit the Western Region Roundup website for a listing of things to do and shows while there. Online registration is available through the website.

If you have questions, see the website Registration page for information to contact Gene E. Kellar.

USS South Dakota Commissioning

USS South Dakota (SSN-790) joined the fleet Saturday as the 17th Virginia-class fast-attack submarine during a commissioning ceremony on February 2, 2019 in Groton, Conn.

The 377-foot long submarine started construction in 2013 and is the next-to-last Block III Virginia class submarine. Modifications inserted into the Block III design are primarily in the boat’s bow to accommodate a water-backed Large Aperture Bow (LAB) sonar array and the addition of two Multiple All Up Round Canisters that can each hold six Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles (TLAM). You can watch the ceremony below, click the Full Screen icon to enlarge the video.