Commander Submarine Group Ten

Final Entry

csg10 — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 17:57:11 +0000

To all our loyal fans and followers, we are shutting this blog down in an effort to provide a unified voice for the Submarine Force.

We invite you to visit the Commander Submarine Forces blog site at http://comsubfor-usn.blogspot.com/ where we will continue to engage the issues that effect our Submarine Force today.

LT Brian Wierzbicki
Public Affairs Officer
Commander, Submarine Group Ten

Rear Adm. Tofalo Takes the Helm of CSG-10

csg10 — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 17:29:13 +0000

I recently relieved Rear Admiral Barry Bruner as Commander, Submarine Group Ten, assuming responsibility for Atlantic Fleet’s ballistic and guided missile submarines homeported here at Kings Bay, GA. What a thrill for me to be back in Kings Bay; I can’t believe it’s been 11 years since I took command of USS MAINE then home-ported here.

I look forward to working with the team in Kings Bay in the execution of the vital missions performed by Subase Kings Bay and her resident commands. The complex integration of efforts by all of the commands here results in the on-time deployment of a King’s Bay submarine on average every 14 days. This truly is a team sport, and this feat would not be possible without the tireless work of the true professionals from all of these organizations.

In the Atlantic, only here at Kings Bay do we have the intersection of the ballistic missile and the guided missile submarines, their only homeport on the east coast. Not only are the missions and east coast homeport of these great warships unique and vital to the strategic posture and actions of our country’s leadership, but the submarines themselves are representative of our rich undersea culture of long-range power projection, self-sufficiency, technical ingenuity, initiative, stealth and military expertise.

The inherent submarine legacy and the above discussed culture, are to a large extent made possible by this strategic jewel–the dedicated military, civilians and families of the Kings Bay community.

You all have so much to be incredibly proud of here, but we also have so much here to tirelessly protect and expertly operate. For those of you already on ‘Team Kings Bay,’ thanks for all you do and I’m thrilled to be joining your team!

J. E. Tofalo
Rear Admiral
U.S. Navy

RDML Bruner bids farewell

csg10 — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 16:08:31 +0000

As I prepare to head off to the Pentagon, I want to say “thank you” to everyone here in Kings Bay, and specifically to all those who man, train, repair and support the submarines stationed here. Often times we lose sight of how important it is to keep these beautiful submarines at sea ready to put ordnance on target when tasked, but it is indeed important. In fact, it is critical to the defense of our great nation. So to each and every one of you who help make that happen, thank you!

The expectations for the submarine force have never been higher than today. Admirals Richardson and Caldwell rolled out the Design for Undersea Warfare a few days ago to ensure we are fully prepared to face today’s and the future’s threat. This is a long awaited event and the timing could not be better. We are facing an astute fiscal environment and, among other things, the Design for Undersea Warfare will help ensure we are prepared for the future regardless of the fiscal challenges ahead. Our submarine force is in great hands and it brings me great pleasure to know that you will all be a part of it.

Lastly – I want to pass on that there could not be a better leadership fit for Kings Bay than Admiral Tofalo. He is a superb officer and a good friend. I could not have chosen a better relief than him.

Thanks for everything you’ve done – Vr/B.

Battle of Midway

csg10 — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 19:16:20 +0000

This morning we commemorated the 69th anniversary of the Battle of Midway at the World War II Pavilion. For those who attended, I thank you for taking time out to honor the heroes of a great moment in our history. This battle, regarded as the turning point of WWII, highlighted the vast capability of our nation’s Navy and the unmatched resolve of our sailors. Nineteen submarines answered the call in that June of 1942, just as you continue to do sixty-nine years later.

The courage, valor, and innovation of people have always been key to our Navy’s success. The sailors at Midway, many of which survived Pearl Harbor, relentlessly brought the fight to the enemy while bringing hope to a nation at war. Each one of you carries their legacy and fighting spirit.

We salute the warriors of the Battle of Midway, while equally remembering the brave men and women who answered the call to service both before and after them.

Vr/B.

101 Days of Summer

csg10 — Mon, 23 May 2011 17:11:32 +0000

Hooyah Kings Bay! Summer is almost upon us and if the recent weather is any indication we are in for a hot one.

Since I last wrote we have enjoyed a quiet spring, in April the Submarine Birthday ball went off without a hitch. VADM (Ret) Koneztni motivated us with his positive attitude and kind words of wisdom for the submarine force.

In early May the Navy League hosted the 2011 Sea Services Awards banquet. It was inspiring to be in the same room with our future leaders and to see their spouses and significant others in attendance to see them receive the recognition they so deserve. Navy League Area President Keith Post, Council President Hunt Thornhill, and Banquet Chairperson Cheryl Aston did a tremendous job hosting the Submarine Force Commander and all who attended. VADM Richardson provided outstanding insight on the current health of our Submarine Force.

As I write this, Trident Training Facility will be in the final throes of coordinating the 2011 Damage Control Olympics. If you have never been to the DC Olympics, this event is worth your while.

In the near future and upcoming summer of 2011 the Navy has rolled out the “Stop and Think” campaign for the 101 days of summer. This campaign/program is designed to generate thought-provoking decisions and help our sailors and families realize the need to take a few extra seconds to consider the results and ramifications of their decisions rather than make a short fused decision that could have life changing implications.

As you prepare for the summer, take a second to think about the next event, whether it be a simple trip to the beach or an extended family vacation. Place your safety and the safety of others around you as the highest priority.

I am very fortunate to work with the most intelligent and hardest working people on the planet, I want to see you and your families safe and sound every day! Take care and enjoy the summer! See ya on the beach! CMDCM(SS) Randy Huckaba.

Florida Homecoming

csg10 — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 10:20:47 +0000

USS FLORIDA – SSGN 728, returns home from deployment today. She’s been gone for over 14 months, worked for three different Combatant Commanders, and successfully completed every mission assigned. It is amazing to think about the conversion of FLORIDA from a strategic deterrent to a Special Operations and Guided-missile submarine – a tremendous adaptation to the changing strategic environment. Her success, which culminated in her superb support to operation ODYSSEY DAWN, certainly validates the decision made almost ten years ago to convert the first four OHIO class submarines rather than decommission them.

But as good a ship as FLORIDA is – it’s her crew (both Blue and Gold crews) and their families that deserve our thanks. I will be on the pier to greet them later today and would ask you to come too – to welcome them back too as you run into FLORIDA’s crew members and families. BZ to them for a superb deployment – and Welcome Home!!!

Vr/B.

Importance of Impact

csg10 — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 20:57:58 +0000

This past Friday CAPT Mark Olson was relieved as Naval Base Kitsap Commanding Officer by CAPT Pete Dawson. The ceremony was well attended, almost 400 military and civilian guests were there to thank Mark and welcome Pete. Throughout the ceremony it was clear that CAPT Olson’s performance, hard work and well earned results was appreciated by all. Rear Admiral Doug Biesel awarded Mark a Legion of Merit Medal (gold star in lieu of third award) and a short summation of the numerous awards the base had won were listed; CNO Safety Award, Energy and Water Conservation Award, Retention Honor Role, etc… (and there were many more!).

What Mark will always be known for though is not those awards. Although they are significant and truly represent the best of the best – those awards will quickly be forgotten by all but those who won them. What will always be remembered is the impact he had on our Nation’s defense. The support that he and his team provided to the submarines, ships and aircraft that populate the Northwestern U.S. is what his real impact was. His contribution to our Navy’s ability to put ordnance on target when ordered – that is what was most important.

Thanks Mark – and good luck Brother in your next assignment.

Vr/B.

Sea Cadets – the future of our Navy

csg10 — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 17:59:43 +0000

Yesterday I had the opportunity to observe the honoring of several of the Sailors of the Year in the Charleston, S.C. area. In addition to honoring our active duty Sailors, the Charleston Navy League also honored the Sea Cadet Sailor of the Year. Petty Officer 3rd Class Self offers a great example of our Sea Cadet program and what it contributes to our active duty military. His bearing and school performance is top notch and the way he treated all those he came in contact with at the Ceremony indicates he understands people too. He has the tools to succeed greatly in the military if he chooses to do so.

A great majority of the young men and women in the Sea Cadet program go on to join the military, not always the Navy – but the bottom line is that they choose to serve. And in my book, that is huge. One of the best things we can do is to continue our support for our Sea Cadet program. It is another important part of what we can do to mold and build an ever more effective Navy in the future. BZ Sea Cadets!

Vr/B.

MFPU Mission Keeping Us Safe

csg10 — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 18:04:47 +0000

Hoo-ya Kings Bay! The last time I had a chance to speak with you it was just prior to the New Year. A lot has transpired since then. Kings Bay closed out a banner year and the Submarine Base, Trident Training Facility and the USS Maryland (Blue) were awarded the Community Service Health, Safety and Fitness Flagship award. General Chilton, U.S. Strategic Command, struck a heavy motivational chord within all who were in attendance when he spoke here last week. It looks like we are in for a great year here in Kings Bay.

I recently had a chance to spend some quality time with BMCS Jeff Egelston of the Maritime Force Protection Unit and he has that unit firing on all cylinders. The professionalism displayed by the group was outstanding. I had heard a lot about the new 33-foot and 64-foot patrol boats the MFPU had acquired within the last year, but to really get the full effect I needed to see how they performed up close and personal.

MFPU Kings Bay is a single-mission unit that has specially trained and equipped Coast Guard personnel to man and operate escort vessels procured by the Navy specifically for that use. The unit uses broad law enforcement authority to establish, patrol, and enforce exclusionary zones, naval vessel protective zones, restricted navigation areas, and security zones supporting naval operations.

The new jet propulsion 64-foot patrol boat and the team of BM2 Bachman, BM3 Gantt, BM3 Green and MK1 Walters really was an impressive combination of state of the art navigation and equipment paired with highly professional expert operators. I was definitely impressed by the team’s professionalism and how they conducted their pre-operation safety brief, which is standard for every mission the unit executes.

Without skipping a beat the unit performed a quick personnel transfer to a 33-foot patrol boat, where I quickly got acquainted with BM1 Scalio, BM3 Gooch, and MK2 Hitchcock based on the small confines of the cockpit. The maneuverability and potential of the 33 foot patrol boats is incredible.

Seeing firsthand what this unit can do and how they execute mission on a daily basis was worth every second I spent with them. It was uplifting to know that we have a force protection unit here in Kings Bay that operates state of the art equipment, executes mission after mission without hesitation, and exhibits professional representation on a daily basis.

We are in great hands. I really appreciate the time Senior Chief Egelston and his unit allotted for me, they (Maritime Force Protection Unit Kings Bay) provide an invaluable service to the Navy and our nation. Keep up the Good work.

Until next time Kings Bay, Hoo-ya and keep charging!

CMDCM(SS) Randy Huckaba

Into the New Year!

csg10 — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 19:29:32 +0000

2011 is upon us and along with the significance of listing a new date on correspondence – there are a number of changes ahead: the continued drawdown in Iraq with a corresponding increase in Afghanistan, the first reporting of women officers to submarines, the completion of the submarine force’s smoking cessation efforts, and the repeal of “Don’t Ask – Don’t Tell”. Just as importantly – if not more so, there are a number of components of our nation’s defense that will continue unchanged; the deployments of our ships overseas where they are truly at “the pointy end of the spear”, the continued reliance on our SSBN force as the ultimate deterrent to a large scale nuclear attack, our continued need for IA/GSA/OSAs all over the world as our military works to protect our country from terrorist attacks. All of these are important – and all of the efforts listed above rely on our forces, ships, submarines, Marines, DoD Civilians, etc, etc. to do their job. We can never forget the critical impact that our Navy’s families have with their support of our service members that too must continue.

We also have new challenges ahead that we have not discussed much – at least not in this blog. Our country’s economic future is being discussed with concern across all venues. As a result, decisions must – and no doubt will, be made by our country’s leadership that will affect our Navy and those of us in it. Those decisions will cause change – and change does not often come easily. So, how do we deal with these changes?

In terms of the budget we need to “lean forward” – all of us would much rather be in charge of our own destiny and to a certain extent – even concerning the military’s budget, we can be. The way to do that is to get ahead of the direction before it’s given. In our Navy we can almost always see what is coming in terms of direction, before it gets here. For example; what can you do to cut costs at your command? Can you VTC rather than travel to a meeting? Can you reduce manning without impacting your command’s ability to successfully complete its mission (for you guys on submarines that means to put ordnance on target!)? Can you be more efficient with repairs, parts, etc.? Can you do training locally – rather than go to an off-site school? And there are other logical questions out there you guys are smart enough to ask also.

For the other areas of change we are going through – well, we need to prepare the best we can, be positive minded about the change and jump in with both feet (so to speak). All of the changes we are going through are a result of a great deal of thought and consideration as to the best way ahead for our military and our Navy. But, change is often accompanied by angst. The best way to fight angst is to prepare well, to understand the “why” for the change and to understand the plan for the change. Smoking cessation was a huge concern six months ago, but the reality of it is that by properly preparing, most submarines have minimized the angst associated with that effort. That same plan can be applied to all the areas of change ahead. BZ!

Vr/B.