{"id":148050,"date":"2024-04-11T16:11:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-11T16:11:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=148050"},"modified":"2024-04-11T16:43:03","modified_gmt":"2024-04-11T16:43:03","slug":"celebrating-124-years-of-u-s-navy-submarines-how-ssp-supports-the-warfighter-maintains-an-unmatched-strategic-deterrent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/?p=148050","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating 124 Years of U.S. Navy Submarines: How SSP Supports the Warfighter, Maintains an Unmatched Strategic Deterrent"},"content":{"rendered":"
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After more than a century of service, the Navy submarine force\u2014and, in particular, its nuclear deterrence warfighters\u2014continues to be a cornerstone of our nation\u2019s security and a kingpin for America\u2019s Warfighting Navy.<\/p>\n

April 11, 1900 marked the inaugural acquisition of the first modern submarine in the fleet\u2019s history, USS Holland (SS 1). Traced as far back as the American Revolutionary War, submarines and submariners have held significant influence on how we fight wars from the sea. These vessels proved valuable in World War II as a significant denier of German U-Boats and gaining decisive wins over the Japanese in the Pacific. According to the Naval History and Heritage Command<\/a>, submarines were responsible for sinking more than 540,000 tons of Japanese Naval vessels, along with more than 4.7 million tons of merchant shipping.<\/p>\n

The work of submariners is often dubbed the \u2018silent service<\/a>\u2019, principally because the nature of submarine missions was\u2014and is\u2014not usually telegraphed or broadcasted publicly. The moniker rings particularly true for the Navy\u2019s sea-based nuclear deterrence mission, which remains the most survivable of the three legs of our nation\u2019s nuclear triad. As the submarine forces continued to develop after World War II, new technology and capabilities were advanced and the world\u2019s first nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) was born.<\/p>\n

The research, development, and provision of a combat capability for these vessels was tasked to a newly-established Special Projects Office (SPO) created in 1955 and led by Rear Adm. William \u2018Red\u2019 Raborn. Specifically, SPO would develop, design, and test the first-ever fleet ballistic missile. In 1959, the USS George Washington (SSBN 598) was commissioned and one year later, the vision would become a reality.<\/p>\n

July 20, 1960, USS George Washington would execute the first successful underwater launch<\/a> of a POLARIS A1 test vehicle from a submarine. POLARIS\u2014named for the North Star\u2014was a two-stage ballistic missile, powered by solid fuel rocket motors and guided by a self-contained inertial guidance system independent of external commands or control.<\/p>\n

SPO\u2014renamed Strategic Systems Programs<\/a> (SSP) in 1987\u2014still owns the cradle to grave responsibility for the submarine-launched ballistic missile system. SSP oversees all aspects of research, development, production, logistics, storage, repair, and operational support for the system.<\/p>\n

Though SSP\u2019s mission is program management focused, the command has a specific branch dedicated to forming connective tissue between the highly technical side of the command\u2019s mission and the warfighter\u2019s operational readiness needs at sea. The Operations, Evaluations, and Training Branch (SP205) specifically lends its support to the warfighter aboard the Ohio-class SSBN.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur branch does all of the execution of flight testing with the fleet\u2026 we are one of SSP\u2019s major interfaces with the fleet,\u201d explained the Branch Head Capt. Bill Dull.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He highlighted how the branch is specifically manned with more fleet personnel than it is Engineering Duty Officers. Integrating fleet personnel at SSP bakes in much-needed institutional knowledge about the day-to-day operational environment and makes translating between SSP and the fleet more seamless.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we respond to message traffic from the fleet, we are able to relate the terminology from a fleet perspective into a format familiar to SSP such that we know what the submarine is doing with the directions we\u2019ve sent to the submarine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Building this connectivity is only a portion of the responsibilities for which Capt. Dull and his staff are accountable.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe [the branch] are at the coolest end of what SSP does in flight testing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe execute Demonstration and Shakedown Operations<\/a> (DASO) which certifies the viability of the ship, its crew, and its Trident II D5LE strategic weapons system, and it culminates in the launch of a test missile.\u201d<\/p>\n

This testing is a critical part of ensuring the SSBN\u2019s readiness before operational deployment following the submarine’s midlife refueling overhaul or as part of new construction. SSBN\u2019s account for 70% of the nation\u2019s nuclear triad.<\/p>\n

Capt. Dull recalled visiting Cape Canaveral and touring the launch complexes and bunkers constructed in the 1950\u2019s that various organizations, including SSP [then-SPO] used to test early missiles [like Polaris] that would eventually be launched from the sea.<\/p>\n

\u201cTen, nine, eight, seven,\u201d Capt. Dull counted down out loud as he described audio narrative emanating from the carefully-catalogued exhibits and pondered what it must have been like to stand up the nuclear deterrence program nearly 70 years ago. His description alone was evidence that Capt. Dull is well-aware of his responsibility to connect today\u2019s fleet to the rich history and culture of SSP\u2014not just where the organization has been, but where it is going.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s amazing we have this brilliant program\u2014with talented people\u2014that can launch a missile from a submarine undersea<\/em><\/strong> [to a target] halfway around the world.<\/p>\n

The criticality of this work is what makes the strategic deterrence mission so paramount to our nation\u2019s defense. The submariners of America\u2019s warfighting Navy can be absolutely confident in the SWS system on their submarines\u2014and assurance strengthened by the work Capt. Dull and his team execute daily to ensure the SSBN fleet is equipped, ready, and positioned to fight and win at sea.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIf we get to a point where the U.S. Navy can send only ten ships to sea, they will be SSBNs,\u201d Capt. Dull confidently stated. \u00a0<\/p>\n

A former Commanding Officer of USS Alaska (SSBN-732), Capt. Dull says the most critical component to the viability of the strategic deterrence mission and the submarine fleet is its people<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I was in command, USS Alaska represented a fleet of sailors from roughly 37-39 different states in the Nation,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are a cross section of America that come together to form one team to execute the most important mission of the Department of Defense.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Just like the diversity of his submarine crew, SSP\u2019s workforce of Navy civilians and service members come from all walks of life to form the team developing the sea based strategic deterrence capability. In the future, Capt. Dull says SSP\u2019s team must stay one step ahead of near-peer competitors and adversaries in support of the mission.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not just developing future weapons systems and capabilities, but maximizing the use of what we have currently,\u201d Capt. Dull said, quantifying this point as a hallmark of SSP\u2019s success.<\/p>\n

He underscored that the exchange of ideas from the fleet to SSP and vice versa remains essential to innovation and problem solving.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to continue to work within SSP to deliver both Columbia-class and Trident II D5LE2 weapons system training and operational documentation\u2014on time\u2014so that the future warfighter is ready for the challenges we are going to see in the 2030s.\u201d<\/p>\n

A lesser-known part of SSP\u2019s mission is the organization\u2019s support to the fleet of OHIO-Class Guided Missile Nuclear Submarines<\/a> (SSGN). In 1994, the Nuclear Posture Review determined that the United States needed only 14 of its 18 SSBNs to meet the nation’s strategic force needs. The four \u201cexcess\u201d Ohio-Class boats were converted to SSGNs within five years and are a vital element of today\u2019s Warfighting Navy. Combined, the four SSGNs represent more than half of the Submarine Force’s conventional vertical launch payload capacity. They have unprecedented strike and special operations force projection capabilities from a stealth, clandestine platform\u2014which lends extreme flexibility to the mission.<\/p>\n

SSGNs sit at the pinnacle of naval integrated and all-domain warfare. The ships, capable of carrying up to 154 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles, have unique-to-SSGN capabilities to help ensure regional maritime security and stability around the world.<\/p>\n

Managing SSP\u2019s critical support to these assets is Martina Sibley, head of the SSGN Strike Program Office. She and the SSGN team support the ship\u2019s missile compartment, equipment maintenance, and any upgrades needed to accomplish the mission.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo some degree, we are like the Maytag Man,\u201d Sibley said.<\/p>\n

She explained that aging infrastructure on the SSGNs can present complex challenges that require advanced problem-solving mindsets. The most important thing to her is providing the best possible service to the submariners.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSSGN sailors are immensely dedicated to the mission and because of the crucial mission they serve, I want to help them navigate challenges in the best way that I can,\u201d Sibley said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A vital part of her mission is ensuring she can communicate quickly and properly with the ship\u2019s crew\u2014especially if there is any problem that needs to be fixed. That\u2019s where integration with Capt. Dull\u2019s branch is necessary as the conduit to the fleet.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fleet liaison officer I have in the Operations, Testing, and Evaluation Branch is my first line of defense,\u201d explained Sibley.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I need to send a message to the SSGN\u2019s crew or coordinate with the (or the sub group commanders) the liaison ensures the naval message is properly formatted, communicated, and understood between SSP and the submarine.\u201d<\/p>\n

In Martina\u2019s eyes, supporting sailors aboard these SSGNs is paramount.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is so significant about these submarines is that they are deployed at that critical point where you need a show of force.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the future\u2014just as the Ohio-class SSBNs are nearing end of life\u2014so too are the Ohio-class SSGNs. And Sibley said outside-the-box thinking on how to transition SSGN capabilities to the new Virginia-class submarines will be crucial in maintaining warfighting advantage.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo me, it\u2019s a win-win that our small team effectively provides this vital capability to the command while overseeing reclamation of low-use, high-dollar components from these submarines,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Every day, SSP\u2019s dedicated staff like Sibley and Capt. Dull remain committed to the mission and to ensuring submarine platforms are ready with the right capabilities, weapons, and sustainment. They take the approach with their eye squarely fixed on the safety and support of the sailors who operate these systems\u2014and the communities these sailors selflessly protect and defend.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow I feel every day when I leave work is that I am defending the United States,\u201d said Sibley.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to make sure our children and our children\u2019s children are free, and that we have a sovereign nation for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

SSP wishes a Happy 124th<\/sup> Birthday to the fleet of submariners and their support staff\u2014thank you for your dedication to the mission and for faithfully standing the watch! <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After more than a century of service, the Navy submarine force\u2014and, in particular, its nuclear deterrence warfighters\u2014continues to be a cornerstone of our nation\u2019s security and a kingpin for America\u2019s Warfighting Navy. April 11, 1900 marked the inaugural acquisition of the first modern submarine in the fleet\u2019s history, USS Holland (SS 1). Traced as far […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":148052,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-148050","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148050","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=148050"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148050\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":148053,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148050\/revisions\/148053"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/148052"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=148050"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=148050"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adn.monetizemail.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=148050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}