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Vol. 49, No. 9 Serving the Military Community in Southeastern Connecticut since 1918 Thursday, August 12, 2010
40 Sargent Drive
(SUBASE) Pier 17, July 30 in
the company of his family,
Master Chief Petty Officer of
the Navy (MCPON) Rick D.
West, and 300 supporting fans,
friends, and shipmates.
“He has touched the lives of so
many people, Sailors and civil-
ians alike,” said Commander
Raymond Gabriel, Commanding
Officer of USS Providence (SSN
719). Gabriel was a guest speak-
er during the ceremony as well
as the Executive Officer of the
USS Memphis (SSN 691) when
Atkinson was on board.
Philadelphia born, Al
Atkinson departs with 30 years
under his belt. It wasn’t coin-
cidence that Atkinson’s retire-
ment ceremony took place the
same day as his 30th anni-
versary with his wife, Kate
Atkinson.
“If anyone could put God in a
headlock and order up this kind
of weather, it’d be Kate,” said Photo by SN Michael Henderson
guest speaker Captain William GROTON, Conn. - Naval Submarine Support Center Command Master Chief Alexander “Big Al” Atkinson is piped ashore during his retirement ceremony on Naval
R. Merz, Commanding Officer Submarine Base New London’s Pier 17, July 30. Atkinson retired after 30 years of service in the United States Navy, with almost half of his career in command
NEWSPAPERS
SHORE LINE
PRSRT/STD
pointing out the sunny skies
and windless pier. Atkinson With it, West declared the Navy his career has seen many plac- In August 1984, he trans- body we know here,” remarked
toured as Chief of the Boat on wife would be treated with all es, crews, and boats. Starting ferred to Naval Air Station Key Captain Merz during the cer-
the USS Memphis with Merz of the rights and privileges of out as a Hospital Corpsman in West, Fla., where he trained as emony.
on board. a submariner. Atkinson’s four Camp Lejeune, N.C., his first a Search and Rescue Hospital July of 1986, Atkinson
During the ceremony, daughters also gave a speech tour of duty brought him to Corpsman, flying in SH-3 Sea became a Nuclear Submarine
INSIDE
MCPON West presented numer- of their own, thanking their the U.S. Naval Academy in King helicopters. Independent Duty Corpsman
ous awards to Atkinson and his mother and father for the job Annapolis, Md. In 1982, he “If you’ve never seen a Sea (IDC) following training in
family. One of which was given they had done raising them. returned to Camp Lejeune King helicopter; they’re big, Groton, Conn. A year later,
to Kate - a set of “Dolphins”. Since Atkinson’s entrance where he served as a Fleet they’re round, and built to take in 1987, he reported aboard
into the Navy in August of 1980, Marine Force Corpsman. a punch. Kind of like some- See ‘Big Al’ on Page 4
Saunders relieves as
SUBLANT Force Master Chief SUBASE
responds to
22,000 submarine Sailors in
By Kevin Copeland the Atlantic Fleet. In mentoring mock oil spill
Commander, Submarine Force five Group Master Chiefs, 15
Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs Squadron Master Chiefs, and Page 6
91 Chiefs of the Boat, Garrison
NORFOLK, Va. – Force relentlessly delivered changes
Master Chief (Submarines) Kirk to senior enlisted leadership
Saunders has relieved Force which led to innovative growth
Master Chief Jeffery Garrison as and immensely contributed to
Commander, Submarine Force the education of junior enlist-
Atlantic (SUBLANT) Force ed.
Master Chief. The Birmingham, “I am looking forward to work-
Ala., native relieved Garrison ing with the Force Commander
during a well-attended, ceremo- in continuing the legacy left by
nial change-of-office ceremony Force Garrison,” said Saunders. SUBASE helps
at SUBLANT headquarters in “It is an honor and privilege
Norfolk, Va. in having the opportunity to town celebrate
Garrison served as the help mold and influence the
SUBLANT Force Master Chief tremendous Sailors operating National
from October 2007 to July 2010. our submarine force. For me Night Out
He will report to Commander, it is the ultimate dream come
Navy Personnel Command true being selected as the Force
Master Chief, and having the
Page 7
in Millington, Tenn., as the
Navy’s Command Master Chief chance to mentor and develop
our senior enlisted leaders and
INDEX
Detailer. Photo by MCC Marlowe Dix
During the change-of-office enlisted force.
ceremony, Vice Admiral “My main goal as the Force NORFOLK, Va. - Force Master Chief Jeffery Garrison (left) turns over duties as Force Master Chief at Commander, Submarine
John Donnelly, Commander, Master Chief is to build and Force Atlantic to Force Master Chief Kirk Saunders, during a change-of-office ceremony at SUBLANT headquarters in Local...................................2
Submarine Forces/Commander, inspire a group of senior enlist- Norfolk, Va. Garrison will report to Commander, Navy Personnel Command in Millington, Tenn, as the U.S. Navy Command Movies....................................7
Submarine Force Atlantic, pre- ed leaders that are dedicated to Master Chief detailer. Saunders is reporting to SUBLANT from Commander, Submarine Squadron ELEVEN in San Diego,
mission and personnel readi- AtEase.......................................7
sented Garrison with a Legion of where he served as the squadron command master chief.
ness. This will include not only Classifieds...............................11
Merit medal. Garrison was cited culties and challenges we face changes in the submarine force
for his impressive resourceful- meeting the demands of day- sibilities full-heartedly, and
to-day operations at their indi- day-to-day in the submarine - women being assigned to sub-
ness in providing the Force believes his previous assign-
vidual commands, but also a force. The challenges I faced in marines and smoking cessa-
Commander and Master Chief ments have prepared him for
focus on the development of those leadership roles and the tion on submarines - that will
Petty Officer of the Navy valu- the challenges that are in his
their subordinates to be profes- efforts required to resolve them require tremendous leadership
able insight, guidance, and future.
sional and competent submari- and persevere during adversity engagement in the chief’s com-
deckplate perspective. He was “My opportunity to lead as
ners with the utmost integrity. has prepared me well to lead at munity.
also recognized for his vision- both Chief of the Boat and a
If we can achieve that, there is this level.” “I believe the chief’s mess
ary approach in implementing squadron Command Master
nothing we can’t accomplish!” In the last several months leadership is critical in every-
numerous initiatives which Chief has provided me an
Saunders accepts his respon- there have been two huge social
positively affected more than incredible insight to the diffi- See SUBLANT on Page 4
2 • THE DOLPHIN • Thursday, August 12, 2010
The University of Phoenix will visit NCO, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to provide advisement GROTON, Conn. - Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Rick West presents a framed letter of appreciation to Naval Submarine
and information on a walk-in basis. Support Center Command Master Chief Alexander Atkinson during his retirement ceremony on board Naval Submarine Base New
Phoenix offers a variety of distance learning degree programs. London (SUBASE), July 30. Atkinson was presented many awards and accommodations during his retirement ceremony, including
congratulatory letters from former Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, as well as President Barack Obama.
SUBLANT
Continued from page 1
...
thing we do, not only in
the submarine force, but in
the Navy as a whole,” said
Saunders. “The acceptance
of women to serve aboard
submarines and eliminating
smoking aboard submarines
is no different. The submarine
force’s ability to benefit from
the incredible leadership and
expertise women will bring
to our force will only make
us better. Education across
all levels of the chain-of-com-
mand will ensure there is a
smooth transition in these cul-
tural shifts, and the emphasis
on professional behavior will
guarantee that success. I have
no doubt our chief’s commu-
nity will realize the benefit
of these changes and lead the
way in the transition.
“The submarine force has
taken incredible measures to
help Sailors who have chosen
to kick the smoking habit.
The use of both, education by
trained facilitators and nico-
tine replacement therapies,
have already been distribut-
ed to the force. Command
leadership teams are taking a
proactive role in limiting the
use of tobacco on board their
ships in an effort to gradually
phase in to having smoke-free
submarines. This change will
not only benefit the smok-
ers’ long term health, but
the health of the non-smok-
er receiving second-hand
smoke. Although reluctance
to change is normal, I have
no doubt our senior enlisted
leaders will lead the charge in
accepting the changes.”
Saunders joined the Navy in
July 1987, and attended recruit
training in San Diego, Basic
Submarine School in Groton,
Conn., and Torpedoman Class
“A” School in Orlando, Fla.
His first submarine assign-
ment was aboard the fast-
attack submarine USS Richard
B. Russell (SSN 687), home-
ported in Mare Island, Calif.
There he qualified in sub-
marines, earning the coveted
Silver Dolphins. Other sea
tours have included assign-
ments aboard the Los Angeles-
class attack submarines USS
Norfolk (SSN 714), where
he served as the Torpedo
Division Leading Chief Petty
Officer, and USS Boise (SSN
764), where he served as the
Chief of the Boat.
His shore assignments
include Navy Recruiting
District, Miami, Fla., where
he served as a production
recruiter and Recruiter in
Charge and advanced to chief
petty officer; Commander,
Submarine Force, Atlantic
Fleet where he served as the
senior enlisted leader and
weapons evaluator on the
Tactical Readiness Evaluation
Team; and Commander,
Submarine Squadron ELEVEN
in San Diego where he served
as Command Master Chief.
Saunders is a graduate of
the Senior Enlisted Academy
Class 112 (Blue) and the
Command Master Chief/Chief
of the Boat Course Class 10.
He is entitled to wear the
Meritorious Service Medal (two
awards), Navy and Marine
Corps Commendation Medal
(three awards), Navy and
Marine Corps Achievement
Medal (four awards), Navy
Good Conduct Medal (seven
awards), and other unit and
campaign awards.
For more information on
Navy submarines, weapons
systems and Sailors, visit the
Submarine Force Web site at
www.sublant.navy.mil.
Thursday, August 12, 2010 • THE DOLPHIN • 5
GROTON, Conn. - Reservists and family members enjoy home-style barbeque and other food from Chester’s Barbeque at Naval Submarine Base New London’s North
Lake, August 7, following the NOSC pre-deployment brief. The picnic included pizza, an air cushion tent for kids, and a strength hammer test for all to enjoy.
Oil Response
Final Evaluation
GROTON, Conn. – Boatswain’s Mate Chief John Ransom supervises service boats as they leave the lower base finger piers
to begin the Oil Response Final Evaluation exercise, July 23, on Naval Submarine Base New London.
By SN Michael Henderson
GROTON, Conn. – The storm drain just north of the Submarine Force Library and Museum on the
Thames River is surrounded by a response boom, successfully containing the mock oil-spill during
the oil response final evaluation on Naval Submarine Base New London.
Photos by
GROTON, Conn. – Boatswain’s Mate Chief John Ransom briefs Port Operations Department Sailors on the situation they will be
handling during the oil response final evaluation. Sailors were assigned teams and boats, and then set out to contain a mock oil
SN Michael Henderson
spill on the Thames River.
Thursday, August 12, 2010 • THE DOLPHIN • 7
. By SN Michael Henderson.
.The year’s top PC game: “StarCraft II” sells 1.5M
.
copies in 48 hours
“End of Nations,” upcoming MMORTS, previewed on
..
mmorpg.com
Free game “Alien Swarm” available on STEAM
Check out August 19th’s paper for a review of “Alien
Swarm”
National Night Out a big hit with the kids Dealey Center Theater
Aug. 12 6:00 p.m. The Last Airbender
Aug. 13 6:00 p.m. Despicable Me
Photo by SN Michael Henderson
Aug. 14 3:00 p.m. Toy Story 3
5:00 p.m. Despicable Me
GROTON, Conn. – Megan 7:00 p.m. Predators
Armstrong uses a foam Aug. 15 5:00 p.m. Despicable Me
baton to strike Master at 7:00 p.m. Predators
Arms Seaman Recruit Elvis Aug. 16 6:00 p.m. Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Rivera (dressed in protec- Aug. 17 6:00 p.m. Predators
tive sparring pads), from Aug. 18 6:00 p.m. Despicable Me
the Naval Submarine Base Aug. 19 6:00 p.m. Predators
New London Security
Twilight Saga: Eclipse Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert
Department, during Nat-
Pattinson, Rated: PG 13, Story Type: Drama, Romance,
ional Night Out, August 3, Thriller, Adaptation, Sequel and Teen, Runtime: 124 min.
at Poquonnock Park in the Toy Story 3 Cast: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Rated: G, Story
Town of Groton. National Type: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Animation and Sequel.
Night Out brings police The Last Airbender Cast: Noah Ringer, Nicole Peltz, Rated:
and fire departments from PG, Story Type: Kids/Family, Science Fiction/Fantasy and
around the area together Adaptation, Runtime: 103 min.
to provide residents with a Despicable Me Cast: Steve Carell, Jason Segel, Rated: PG,
heightened sense of secu- Story Type: Comedy, Kids/Family, Animation, Runtime: 95
rity, and to raise awareness min.
of the many ways citizens Predators Cast: Adrien Brody, Topher Grace, Rated: R, Story
can protect themselves and Type: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Runtime:
their neighbors from threats 107 min.
within the community.
Next Week:
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
and Inception
GROTON, Conn. – Children create and launch Play-Doh torpedoes during the Submarines and Targets event at the Submarine Force Library and
Museum (SFLM), August 7. SFLM hosts many family-oriented programs during the summer. For more information, call (860) 694-3174 or visit
www.ussnautilus.org.
Work Vessels for Veterans Conn., from 3 to 9 p.m. This Department will be provid- be three bands and other will also be a working farm boating, sailing, kayaking,
(WVFV) is hosting an event, event will help raise money ing a chicken dinner. Pyro- activities. designed to teach them how and fishing, and is located
“Helping Veterans Succeed,” for the WVFV Veterans FX has donated fireworks WVFV will unveil to grow and market blue- very near to the Branch
Aug. 28 in Voluntown, Ranch. The Voluntown Fire for this event and there will “Connecticut’s Fallen berries and blueberry-based River.
Hero’s,” a portable display products which will help Returning veterans suf-
Blended learning options viewed by Deputy CNO of pictures, names and ser-
vice of all 57 men from
Connecticut who have lost
the ranch become self-suf-
ficient. WVFV currently
owns land in Jacksonville
fering from Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD) and
brain trauma will have
Warfare Center in Newport, ing improvements, includ- their lives while serving and leases it to a disabled access to clinical care and
By Submarine Learning Center
R.I., seeing how Sailors get ing the Voyage Management and protecting our coun- veteran group growing treatment on the premises.
Public Affairs
hands-on training in the System (VMS) that aug- try in the last two con- blueberries and producing The various activities avail-
Submarine Bridge Trainer ments paper charts, citing flicts. This portable display blueberry jam in the land able on the ranch will assist
GROTON, Conn. – To
(SBT) Engineering Design enhancements in the time is being made by volun- named “Veterans Ranch.” in their rehabilitation and
familiarize himself with teers from the Voluntown The new ranch will be recovery from other physi-
the Submarine Learning Module. He then spent required for data acquisi-
the afternoon touring the tion and dissemination as Fire Department and will be located on a 32-acre tract cal and mental service relat-
Center’s (SLC) capabili- used at events honoring and of land in Central New ed injuries. WVFV will team
Naval Submarine School, well as improvements in
ties and to observe the helping veterans. Hampshire, which WVFV is up with the New England
talking with students and the speed of distribution of
blended learning used to instructors. critical information. WVFV will present a Ford in the process of acquiring. Disabled Sports Group,
teach Sailors at the Naval While observing students Burke’s visit is part of an F250 handicap-equipped Currently there is a three- and the Wounded Warrior
Submarine School, the in the Submarine Piloting ongoing process designed van to a veteran that served bedroom home, which will Project to identify quali-
Deputy Chief of Naval and Navigation (SPAN) to strengthen the quality of in Afghanistan, and will house staff, and the plan is fied veterans, and assist in
Operations for Fleet Trainer, Burke asked training through a variety provide four laptop comput- to build an adjacent 10-room making a difference in their
Readiness and Logistics instructor Chief Electronics of means, including provid- ers to veterans to help them boarding house for the vet- stay as they rehabilitate and
visited the training com- Technician (Submarines) ing Navy leadership with in school/work. erans with classrooms for adjust to civilian life.
mands in Groton, Conn. Jeremy Peterson to explain the opportunity to see train- The Veteran Ranch will training and therapy ses- WVFV is currently in the
July 30. how they train Sailors in ing in action, as well as be a sanctuary for wound- sions. process of raising $400,000
Vice Admiral William R. paperless navigation. direct fleet feedback and ed veterans designed to The property has numer- to purchase this property.
Burke, spent the morn- Peterson highlighted the participation in the train- enhance the quality of their ous trails for four-wheeling For more information,
ing at the Naval Undersea importance of recent train- ing development process. lives and assist in their and snowmobiling. There visit www.workvesselsfor-
transition to civilian life. It is access to the lake for vets.org.
12 • THE DOLPHIN • Thursday, August 12, 2010