Gertrude Check

Shortly, Vice Commander and 2008 Scholarship Chairman Bob Webster will have 2008 Applications, Instruction and Tips at Mason, Jefferson and Kitsap county high schools and Olympic College. Eligible Students are children or grandchildren of qualified submariners (need not be members) living in those counties or any child or grandchild of a submarine qualified Bremerton Base member in good standing. Bob may be contacted at 360-307-9012 or e-mail rwebster@web-o.net for questions, applications etc.

This year, 11- $1250 scholarships will be awarded and a $1250 donation will be made to the USSVI National Charitable Foundation Scholarship Fund

Shortly, as a member you will receive 10 raffle tickets and a note to be returned in a addressed envelope with any donation to the Scholarship Chairman. If you are unable to sell or buy the tickets, please return them in the envelope. This raffle has a grand prize of $500, and a 2nd prize of $250 plus many, many smaller gift certificates and the like. Please note that over half of the funding for these scholarship are financed by this annual event.

Raffle Prizes (gift certificates) are solicited from local restaurants that we visit 2 or 3 times a year each. Listed to the right are the ones that made contributions in 2007. Also individual members are encouraged to solicit prizes or cash contributions from businesses that you trade with. It is suggested that you go back to the ones you solicited last year for a donation. Here is a pdf file that appeared in last July/August's Puget Soundings that could be used to show what we did. Also this letter (word file) could be used to solicit prizes.

GO GET EM!

Binnacle list:

Life Member Dave Landerman underwent a double-by-past heart surgery last Friday and should be home by this Friday

WWII, HC, Life Member and Chaplain Bill Hipp is recovering from a pneumonia at home

Life Member and Puget Soundings' Editor Sam Swenson is back in commission after some medicine readjustments and orders to take on less stress

As many know, Base Storekeeper Tommy Robinson has really revved up of the Bremerton Base Ships Store. His sense of business has really made the store a profitable venture for the base. His enthusiasm and constant updating of products available for you to purchase is remarkable. He has even started up a webpage for the store and is taking vest orders via an order form. Please take a look here. The page is just a starter and I am sure he will have more info on it later on. His reputation has Subvets around the country ordering from him. Great job Tommy!

An international gathering of submariners in Victoria in May 2008 http://members.shaw.ca:80/saocwest/2008.htm

The Lone Sailor Statue Project Bremerton Base has forwarded a check to the Lone Sailor Statue Project for $1000 and received a thank you npte. According to Co-chairman, Tim Thomson, the base will get permanent recognition. Hopefully you will consider contributing to this project's success. See Donor list here and recently updated.

NEW SKED You can still make your submarine experience count! Trident Training Center (TTF) Command Master Chief Scott Fusco and USSVI Bremerton Base Past Commander John Gardner have a program that lets you share your submarine experience and lessons learned with young sailors graduating from the TTF ET course. Each one of the classes has been named after one of the "Forty One for Freedom". On graduation day Master Chief Fusco invites a team of two Bremerton Base members (preferably that has served on that class's name sake boat) in, to give a short talk on their experiences, etc. We have been involved in two or three of these graduations to date.

Coming up on the following dates are graduating classes with the boat names with members names that served on those boats. TEAM UP! Then/or e-mail John (jgardner@donobi.net) or call him at

360-692-8994.

                      NAVET                                                               Radioman
USS Sam Houston - 15 APR 08 @ 1100                USS Ethan Allen - 04 MAR 08 @ 1100
USS John Marshall - 17 JUN 08 @ 1100                 USS Thomas A. Edison - 16 MAY 08 @ 1100
USS Alexander Hamilton - 19 AUG 08 @1100        USS Thomas Jefferson - 02 SEP 08 @ 1100
USS Andrew Jackson - 15 OCT 08 @ 1100            USS Lafayette - 10 Dec 08 @ 1100

Tribute to Today's Submarine Sailors:

I had the honor of being the guest speaker, representing the USSVI Bremerton Base, for the Electronic Technician Graduation Class (Radiomen) USS Abraham Lincoln(SSBN602) at the Trident Training Facility (TTF) Bangor on 12 December 2007.

It was a great emotional feeling seeing the bright young sailors in dress blues (the old cracker jacks) sitting in the front row intensely listening to and old 76 year old retired Chief telling them how it is was 47 years ago on the pre-commissioning crew for the Abraham Lincoln. They showed respect and complete interest in what I was saying. I looked at them and I could see all the faces of my old shipmates that were once as young and brilliant as they are.

I was very impressed with the caliber of the students in this class. They were as ready to get to their boats as I was fifty two years ago and I think they are better trained on more sophisticated hardware then I was at their age.

I will never question the ability of our young submarine volunteers to safely man our boats again. As an ex- COB I would be honored to have any one in this class aboard any submarine that I was on....We are in good hands gentlemen.

The reason the students graduating from TTF are so well trained and have such a great attitude is the quality of the training staff and the great leadership that they instill in their students. I take my hat off to every one at TTF that is involved with their training. This is why we are Submariners, to teach the young and new to be better qualified and smarter then we are.

"Dirty" Dave
Oliver Dave Davenport FTGC(SS) USN RET.

Subject: USSVI POC Broadcast : #200-02 <Direct Link

DDate: 1/15/2008
To: Distribution List

NEWS-01: Quick Bytes
NEWS-02: Help Wanted for American Submariner!
NEWS-03: North Carolina Arriving!
NEWS-04: Gil Shaddock on Binnacle List
NEWS-05: The "Big One" that got away...
NEWS-06: Sub Photos in 2007
NEWS-07: Preserving our Heritage!
NEWS-08: How good is our Intel?
NEWS-09: The Eagles Soar Again at Pocono Base!
NEWS-10: Holland Club Commander Stepping Down
NEWS-11: National Scholarship Chairman for the WW II
VET-01: A little known VA monthly pension benefit
VET-02: Some VA Therapy Refunds due.
VET-03: Donating Blood? Read this first.
CHARITABLE-??: no Charitable news this time .....

South Sound Base publishes newsletter. Note Bremerton Base Life Member is now South Sound Base Commander.

http://southsoundbase.subvets.com/pdf/Jan08Klaxon.pdf

More news of submariner interest below

Don "Red" Bassler

Commander

USSVI Bremerton Base

360-479-1642

down-scope@comcast.net

NSL UPDATE 01-16-2008

In This Issue:

1. New Wharf Hosts Navy's First SSGN on Guam

2. Annual Symposium Survey Available

3. Annual Submarine History Seminar 10 April 2008

4. Eternal Patrol Report: RADM Edward F. WELCH, Jr. USN(Ret), CAPT Harry C. ROCKEFELLER, USN(Ret), CAPT Robert B. GUSTAFSON, USN(Ret)

1. New Wharf Hosts Navy's First SSGN on Guam
Release Date: 1/15/2008 11:11:00 AM

By Kyra Hawn, Naval Facilities Engineering Command Marianas Public Affairs

SANTA RITA, Guam (NNS) -- A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Jan. 11 to mark the completion of upgrades to Bravo Wharf at Naval Base Guam, providing the capability to host the Navy's newest guided missile class (SSGN) submarines.

In addition to marking a significant infrastructure milestone, the ceremony served as an opportunity to welcome USS Ohio (SSGN 726), the first of four Navy submarines in the SSGN class, and her crew who arrived in Guam Jan. 10 for a scheduled maintenance period.

The $50.7 million military construction (MILCON) project, awarded to Black Construction Corp. in 2006, entailed dredging of the channel and turn basin at inner Apra Harbor, strengthening of existing wharf foundations, extending the wharf to accommodate SSGNs, as well as upgrading the fire protection, lighting, anchoring and water distribution systems. The newly improved wharf can also accommodate ships as large as the Ticonderoga class cruiser.

With the Ohio visible in the background, Naval Base Guam Commanding Officer, Capt. Scott Galbreaith, related the importance of Bravo Wharf relative to the nation's maritime strategy.

"Our ability to provide forward presence, deterrence, sea control, and power projection has always been strong; Bravo Wharf makes it stronger," said Galbreaith.

USS Ohio (SSGN 726) arrives in Polaris Point, Guam, Jan. 10, 2008, during its maiden voyage. Ohio is the first in its class to convert from a ballistic missile submarine to a guided-missile submarine. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Jacob Sippel) (Released)

The maintenance period on Guam marks the middle of Ohio's maiden deployment following retrofit and reconfiguration. The capability to host and provide a complete range of shore services to the SSGN on Guam allows for longer-term submarine presence, as well as a more robust range of sub-surface mission packages available in the Pacific theater of operations.

"This event is not just the addition of a wharf; it is the commencement ceremony for the nation's newest addition to the security and stability of the region and the globe," Galbreaith said.

The requirements and funding for the wharf were developed by Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Pacific in Hawaii, and the project was executed and managed in Guam by NAVFAC Marianas.

Cmdr. Matt Suess, a civil engineer corps officer and operations officer for NAVFAC Marianas spoke about the MILCON project as it related to his personal military experience.

"I began my career in the Navy as a submarine officer 19 years ago, and I chuckle to think back on how much I took for granted about the infrastructure and effort it takes to support a submarine. Having a safe place to tie-up, to receive utilities and communications, to be able to load food, parts, and ammo was just assumed," said Suess. "Now that I'm on the delivery end of that infrastructure, I have a whole different perspective. This project represents the culmination of years of work by dozens of committed facility professionals at NAVFAC, working side by side with the Fleet to satisfy operational requirements."

Lt. Cmdr. Rich Massie, executive officer of Ohio, related the importance of the wharf project in Guam from an operator's perspective.

"This capability allows us to do our job more effectively with fewer disruptions. We're glad to be here, and SSGNs in the Pacific will look forward to stopping in Guam for the foreseeable future," Massie related.

A complementary Alpha Wharf improvement adjacent to Bravo Wharf is scheduled to be completed in summer 2008.

2. Annual Symposium Survey Available

The Naval Submarine League has prepared a short survey on the web page [ http://www.navalsubleague.com/NSL/documents/symp07survey.doc ] to collect your evaluation of the 2007 Annual Symposium. The symposium was in a new hotel and at a new time and the League would appreciate your comments. The survey can be downloaded (a word document), completed on line and returned by email, fax or mail. Thanks for your assistance in this effort.

3. Annual Submarine History Seminar “Fifty Years Under the Ice” 10 April 2008

The Naval Submarine League, Naval Historical Center and Naval Historical Foundation will host the Seventh Annual Submarine History Seminar at the U. S. Navy Memorial on Thursday, 10 April 2008 from 6 – 9 PM. This year the seminar honor “Fifty Years Under The Ice” celebrating the USS NAUTILUS’ transit under the North Pole in 1957. Featured speakers include VADM Ken Carr, Nautilus Polar Cruise Crewmember, CAPT Merrill Dorman, Arctic Operations, CAPT Robert Perry, Recent Operations, CAPT George Newton, Moderator and RADM Jerry Holland, Coordinator. Registration is Open and FREE, Call 1-877-280-7827 or email nslevent@cavtel.net .

4. Eternal Patrol Report:

RADM Edward F. WELCH, Jr. USN(Ret)

RADM Edward F. Welch Jr., USN(Ret) died on Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at his home in Alexandria, VA. Enlisting in the US Navy in 1943, he was assigned to the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Bainbridge, MD prior to entering the US Naval Academy with the class of 1948. Following his commissioning in 1947, Rear Admiral Welch served in USS Eversole in the Pacific and in Occupied Japan. He then attended Submarine School in 1949. He was Executive Officer when his submarine GRENADIER (SS525) was awarded the Admiral Wright Award for surfacing a ZULU class Soviet missile submarine in 1959. He was Commanding Officer, USS Odax (SS484), 1959-61. After graduate study in international affairs at Harvard, he served in the Strategic Plans Division of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, 1962-64 and on the staff of the Commander, Submarine Force, US Atlantic Fleet, 1964-66. Upon graduation from the National War College in 1967, he served as Commander Submarine Division 42, 1967-68, in Charleston, SC. His next assignment was in NATO Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and subsequently assumed the duties of the Deputy Director for NATO Nuclear Planning, 1969-71. From 1971 to 1974, Rear Admiral Welch served in the International Negotiations Division of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Promoted to Rear Admiral in 1975, he was assigned to the staff of General Alexander Haig, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, in Belgium (1975-77). From 1977 to 1979, he returned to Washington and served as Deputy Director International Negotiations on the Joint Staff where he was responsible to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for all arms control negotiations. He was a member of the US Delegation, which accompanied President Carter to the SALT II Summit in Vienna in June 1979. Rear Admiral Welch became the 41st President of the US Naval War College in Newport, returning to his home state of RI, in August 1979. He retired on the completion of this tour in August 1982. Rear Admiral Welch was married for forty-four years to the former Rachael Linehan, daughter of Judge James B. Linehan of Barrington, RI, prior to her death in 1994. Survivors include his daughter Mary Rider of Spotsylvania, VA, his son, James E. Welch of Kennett Square, PA, his brother John G. Welch of Marysville, OH, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. The family will receive guests at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 South Washington Street, Alexandria, VA on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, from 4 to 6 p.m. Funeral services with full military honors will be held at Fort Myer Old Post Chapel on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 10:45 a.m. followed by interment at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Edward and Rachael Welch may be made to Capital Hospice, 6565 Arlington Blvd, Suite 500, Falls Church, VA 22042; or at www.capitalhospice.org .

CAPT Harry C. ROCKEFELLER, USN(Ret)

CAPT Harry C. ROCKEFELLER, , USN( Ret), 77, died at Holmes Regional Hospital, Thursday, January 10, 2008 after a brief illness. After graduating Dartmouth College, 1954, he was commissioned an Ensign, US Navy. His Navy career was served on submarines and in the communications field. He had command tours on the USS Quillback (SS-424) in Key West, and the Naval Communications Station, Norfolk, VA. In his civilian career he worked as a manager with several companies building satellites for the Space Shuttle Program. He retired in 1992 as an Assistant Program Manager with Contel Corporation. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Sue; daughter, Kim Henderson Wagner of Brookneal, VA; sons, Gray Henderson of Alexandria, VA and Robert Henderson Rockefeller and wife, Tammy of Lorton, VA; three grandsons and two great granddaughters. Harry was a member of the Levering Smith Chapter of the Naval Submarine League and a member of Snug Harbor USSVI. Harry also served on the vestry at Grace Episcopal Church, Alexandria, VA; and Hope Episcopal Church, Melbourne. He ministered to many members of the church and his community as a companion to friends in declining health. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Melbourne at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Space Coast Chapter, the American Red Cross, and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Outreach Program. Beckman-Williamson Funeral Homes and Crematory.

CAPT Robert B. GUSTAFSON, USN(Ret)

CAPT Robert B. Gustafson, USN(Ret), 87, passed away Saturday, January 12, 2008. He entered the U. S. Naval Academy in the class of 1944. He volunteered for U. S. Submarine Service and was sent immediately to submarine school. After completing sub school he reported to the Pacific fleet and made six war patrols on USS Nautilus (SS168). After the war he served on the USS Sirago (SS-485), USS Sennet (SS-408) and USS Corporal (SS-346). He was the Commanding Officer of the USS Grouper (SS-214) for two years followed by a tour of duty at the Naval Underwater Ordnance Station in Newport, R.I. He next served as the Staff Ordnance Officer on the Submarine Pacific Command and then as Commander, Submarine Division 12. He graduated from the National War College in Washington, D.C. followed by a tour in the Submarine Warfare Div. of OPNAV. He then became Commanding Officer of the USS Fulton (AS-11) and then Commanding Officer of the Submarine Safety Center. He retired from the Navy in 1968. Captain Gustafson earned an M.S. Degree in Management and Industrial Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y. in 1955. He received a Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Badge and ribbon issued by the Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines in appreciation for the dangerous mission of aiding the guerilla forces during World War II. Following his retirement from the Navy he became Corporate Security Director for the United Nuclear Corp. He retired from UNC in 1984. He and his beloved wife of 62 years, Barbara (Bobby) built a home on Hamburg Cove, Lyme and he became active in community affairs. He enjoyed his hobbies; sailing his sailboat, building his model railroad layout and carving beautiful half-hull model sailboats. Captain Gustafson was a life member of the Submarine Veterans of World War II. In addition to his wife, Barbara, he is survived by two sons, Andy and his fiancé, Dorie of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and David and his wife Christine of Simsbury, and five grandchildren. A memorial service will be held in May at his beloved home on Hamburg Cove. Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, Old Lyme is handling the arrangements. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Lyme Congregation Church, 1 Sterling City Road, Lyme, CT 06371 or to the Salvation Army, 11 Governor Winthrop Blvd., New London, CT 06220. The home address is Robert Gustafson Family, Cove Rd, Old Lyme, CT 06371

C. Michael Garverick

Executive Director

703-256-0891 (V) 703-642-5815 (FAX)

www.navalsubleague.com

Super U-Boats Off Japan
strategypage.com January 16, 2008

South Korea has received its first Type 214 submarine, the Son Won Il. The boat was built in South Korea, using licensed technology from the German developer (HDW) of the Type 214 boats.

Two years ago, the South Koreans dropped plans to built several large, 3,000 ton, diesel-electric subs. Instead, six more 1,600 ton Type 214 subs will be built over the next 14 years, in addition to the three already planned. South Korea already has nine 1,100 ton Type 209 subs, designed and built in Germany. The Type 214 boats use fuel cells, enabling them to stay underwater for up to two weeks. The South Koreans like their 209s, but are now getting nervous because the first 214 recently received by Greece, had a long list of problems.

Greece bought four Type 214 submarines from Germany. The first one arrived a little over a year ago, and the Greeks quickly found themselves with a list of 400 defects. The other three 214s are being built in Greece, and the first one of those is about ready for launch. Everyone was nervous. The problems were resolved over the next year. Most of the fuss had more to do with a recent change of power in the Greek government, than to any fundamental flaws in the subs.

The Type 214 is a 1,700 ton, 202 foot long boat, with a crew of 27. It has four torpedo tubes and a top submerged speed of 35 kilometers an hour. Maximum diving depth is over 1,200 feet.
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2008 Soup Down Sked

11:45

1-4	Sunset Grill, 4926 Point Fosdick Dr NW, Gig Harbor
11	Keeper's Cove Restaurant,7989 Salish Lane NE, Kingston
18	Pats Restaurant, East Bremerton
25	Aztecca, Silverdale
2-1	Harbor Rock Cafe, 6565 Kimball Dr , Gig Harbor
8	Boat Shed, Bremerton, under the Manette Bridge
15	Azteca, 19045 Highway 305, Poulsbo
22	Tony's, 4908 Kitsap Way, Bremerton
29	Clear Water Casino, Suquamish
3-7	Silver City Brewery, 2799 NW Myhre Rd, Silverdale
14	JJ's Fish House, 18881 Front St NE, Poulsbo
21	Sizzler, 3558 Wheaton Way, East Bremerton
28	Cloverleaf Sports Bar and Grill, 1240 Hollis St, Bremerton
4-4	FRA #29, 521 National Ave, Bremerton
11	Brother Don's, 4200 Kitsap Way, Bremerton
18	Whiskey Creek, 1918 Washington Street, Keyport
25	Sunset Grill, 4926 Point Fosdick Dr NW, Gig Harbor
5-2	Keeper's Cove Restaurant,7989 Salish Lane NE, Kingston
9	Mandarin, 2928 Nw Bucklin Hill Rd, Silverdale, Next to Azteca
16	Ceasar's Restaurant, 3621 Wheaton Way, East Bremerton
23	Airport Diner, Bremerton Airport
30	Ponderay Café , Callow Ave Bremerton
6-6	2 Margaritas, 10600 Silverdale Way, Silverdale
13	Pats Restaurant, East Bremerton
20	Whiskey Creek, 1918 Washington Street, Keyport
27	Brother Don's, 4200 Kitsap Way, Bremerton