Release from Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps 

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – To support the United States and Japan’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, 12th Marine Regiment will redesignate to 12th Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) on November 15, 2023. The redesignation will mark the next historic chapter in the Marine Corps’ commitment to designing a force that is prepared to effectively respond to the challenges of the contemporary global security environment and serves as a testament to the regiment’s role in the Marine Corps’ global employment.  

This redesignation follows the Joint Statement of the Security Consultative Committee (“2+2”) which announced that 12th Marines would remain in Okinawa and redesignate to 12th MLR by 2025. The statement affirmed the MLR’s purpose to “bolster deterrence and provide a stand-in force that is able to defend Japan and quickly respond to contingencies.”  

The Marine Corps remains committed to the basic tenets of the 2012 Defense Policy Review Initiative Realignment Plan. No new units will be added to Okinawa under the agreement. This is strictly a redesignation of an existing unit on Okinawa in accordance with Marine Corps modernization efforts. 

12th Marine Regiment is currently participating in exercise Resolute Dragon 23.2, which takes place from October 14-31 across multiple locations in Japan. During Resolute Dragon, 12th Marines will distribute in a similar manner to what is designed for the MLR: They will deploy to Japan’s Southwest Islands, Kyushu, and Hokkaido, provide sensing capabilities in a simulated battlespace, and integrate joint force firepower with our Japanese ally’s capabilities.  

Release from U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area 

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Oct. 16, 2023 

Coast Guard Cutter Valiant returns home after $30 million drug seizure, rescue of 2 

U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area 

MAYPORT, Fla.— The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Valiant (WMEC 621) returned home, Thursday, to Naval Station Mayport after completing a 49-day deployment in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Florida Straits.  

Patrolling in support of the Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast’s Operation Vigilant Sentry and Joint Interagency Task Force-South, in the Seventh Coast Guard District’s area of responsibility, Valiant’s crew conducted maritime safety and security missions.  

During the patrol, Valiant assisted two lives at sea during two separate search and rescue cases.  

The cutter’s crew also conducted counterdrug operations, interdicting one go-fast vessel with over 97 pounds of cocaine and assisting international partners, the Royal Netherlands Navy patrol vessel HNLMS Groningen (P843), with two additional interdictions. Throughout the patrol, Valiant seized or assisted in the seizure of more than $30 million in illegal narcotics.  

Valiant’s crew later transitioned to migrant interdiction operations and embarked and cared for over 50 migrants in the Florida Straits.  

“Valiant’s crew had an exceptional patrol,” said Lt. Kristian Sova, Valiant’s operations officer. “We participated in multiple Coast Guard mission sets, combatting the illegal trafficking of drugs and saving lives at sea. We look forward to getting home and celebrating with our families.”  

Detecting and interdicting illegal drug traffickers on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination. JIATF-South in Key West, Florida, conducts detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. Once interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the U.S. Coast Guard throughout the interdiction and apprehension process. Interdictions in the Caribbean Sea are performed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Coast Guard’s Seventh District, headquartered in Miami. 

Valiant is a 210-foot, Reliance-class medium endurance cutter. The cutter’s primary missions are counter-drug operations, migrant interdiction, enforcement of federal fishery laws, and search and rescue in support of U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere. 

For more information on Valiant, visit https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/Area-Cutters/CGCVALIANT/. 

For information on how to join the U.S. Coast Guard, visit GoCoastGuard.com to learn about active duty, reserve, officer, and enlisted opportunities. Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy can be found here. 

Release from General Dynamics Electric Boat 

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Groton, Conn. (October 16, 2023) – General Dynamics Electric Boat, a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), announced today it was awarded a $217 million contract for long lead time material associated with the construction of Virginia-class submarines SSN 814 and SSN 815. 

“This contract will enable Electric Boat to begin the acquisition of critical material and components for submarines that require substantial lead time to manufacture and deliver,” said Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics Electric Boat. “Advanced procurement is essential to achieve the high-rate production the Navy requires of the submarine industrial base. A consistent demand signal is necessary for our suppliers to invest in and grow their operations.”      

General Dynamics Electric Boat is the prime contractor and lead design yard for the Virginia class and constructs the ships in a teaming arrangement with HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. 

Release from USNAVSOUTH/4TH FLEET PUBLIC AFFAIRS 

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C4F’S HYBRID FLEET COMPLETES TARGET DETECTION TEST 

By USNAVSOUTH/4TH FLEET PUBLIC AFFAIRS 

17 October 2023 

KEY WEST, Florida – Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-South) and Saildrone successfully completed an evaluation of the unmanned surface vessel Saildrone Voyager’s radar and electronic sensors against surface targets in the vicinity of Key West September 29, 2023. 
 
Part of U.S. 4th Fleet’s campaign to inform the hybrid fleet, the evaluation looked at how many Saildrones the fleet would need to cover a given area of water and optimize the probability that the Saildrones would detect suspected drug runners at sea. 
  
“This successful detection test is the completion of one small step in our campaign to inform the hybrid fleet,” said Capt. David Fowler, U.S. 4th Fleet’s Maritime Operations Center Director. “This is the type of testing and development that we can conduct even as we move toward continuous hybrid operations in the Caribbean.” 
 
Right now continuous operations are underway with Operation Windward Stack. The U.S. 4th Fleet operation deploys long-dwell Saildrone unmanned surface vessels (USVs) to the Windward Passage in the Caribbean order to operationalize the combination of unmanned and manned systems in normal day-to-day operations. 
 
In the coming months, other long-dwell USVs, interceptor USVs, long range UAVs, and VTOL UAVs will join the Saildrones in Operation Windward Stack. These systems will combine with traditional naval surface vessels to expand maritime domain awareness (MDA) and define combinations of unmanned and manned forces that work best for specific operations. 
 
U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region. 
 
Learn more about USNAVSOUTH/4th Fleet at https://www.fourthfleet.navy.mil, https://www.facebook.com/NAVSOUS4THFLT and @NAVSOUS4THFLT. 

Release from Carrier Strike Group 2 Public Affairs 

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By Carrier Strike Group 2 Public Affairs 

14 October 2023 

NORFOLK, Va. — Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (IKE), departed on a scheduled deployment, Oct. 14. 

The strike group is scheduled to deploy to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility where it will engage with allies and partners in support of maritime statecraft, which encompasses naval diplomacy and national efforts to build comprehensive U.S. and allied maritime power. 

“Each entity that comprises IKECSG has worked exceptionally hard over the last several months, and we are ready to bring maritime power in support of any tasking,” said Rear Adm. Marc Miguez, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, IKECSG. “Our presence will undoubtedly strengthen relationships with our allies and partners, as we share the goal to deter aggression, and if required, deliver overwhelming combat power.” 

The flagship Dwight D. Eisenhower will join guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG 107), who departed Naval Station Norfolk, and guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87), who departed Naval Station Mayport, Oct. 13. 

The IKECSG is an integrated combat weapons system that delivers superior combat capability to deter, and if necessary, defeat America’s adversaries in support of national security. It is comprised of more than 5,000 Sailors of CSG-2 staff, commanded by Miguez; flagship Dwight D. Eisenhower, commanded by Capt. Christopher Hill; Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 squadrons, commanded by Capt. Mitch McCallister; Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff and units, commanded by Capt. David Wroe; guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58), commanded by Capt. Michelle Nakamura; and the Information Warfare Commander, Capt. Mitchell Finke. 

“President Eisenhower once said, ‘never send a battalion to take a hill if a regiment is available.’ As the flagship of the strike group, the Mighty IKE is ready to provide overwhelming air power to deter aggression and promote world peace,” said Hill. “We trained rigorously for this deployment, and we are excited to celebrate the Navy’s 248th birthday by sending the best damn ship in the Navy to sea.” 

The strike group’s deployment coincides with the Navy’s birthday weekend, marking 248 years of power, presence, and protection. The aircraft carrier’s deployment coincides with President Eisenhower’s birthday on Oct. 14 and is days ahead of the aircraft carrier’s 46th year of commissioned naval service on Oct. 18. IKECSG’s deployment embodies the Navy’s historical and long-standing commitment to being forward deployed, highly trained, and dedicated to defending American interests at sea, on land, and in the sky. 

The Italian Navy Carlo Bergamini-class frigate ITS Virginio Fasan (F 591) will integrate with IKECSG during the deployment. IKECSG practiced interchangeability and transfer of authority with Fasan during CSG-4-led composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) in July. 

Squadrons of CVW-3 include the “Gunslingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105, the “Fighting Swordsmen” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, the “Rampagers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83, the “Wildcats” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131, the “Screwtops” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, the “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, the “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7, the “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40. 

Ships of DESRON 22 include guided-missile destroyers Mason and Gravely. 

For more information about Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, head to Facebook (/CSGTWO & /TheCVN69); Instagram (@CarrierStrikeGroupTwo & @TheCVN69); LinkedIn (Carrier-Strike-Group-TWO). 

Release from HII 

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GROTON, Conn. (October 11, 2023) – General Dynamics Electric Boat announced today it delivered the nuclear-powered attack submarine Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 795) to the U.S. Navy. Electric Boat is a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD). 

Hyman G. Rickover is the 22nd submarine of the Virginia Class, which provides the Navy with the capabilities required to retain undersea dominance well into the 21st century.  

“The shipbuilders of Electric Boat are proud to deliver Hyman G. Rickover, the second submarine to be named for the father of the United States Nuclear Navy,” said Kevin Graney, President, General Dynamics Electric Boat. “Admiral Rickover set excellence as the standard for the United States’ nuclear fleet, and we wish the Hyman G. Rickover and her crew a long and distinguished career that honors Admiral Rickover’s legacy.” 

Hyman G. Rickover is the fourth of the ten-ship group of Virginia-class submarines known as Block IV. These ships embody a Navy and industry commitment to deliver new submarines to the fleet with advantageous stealth and strike capacity. 

Virginia-class submarines displace approximately 7,000 tons, with a hull length of 377 feet and a diameter of 34 feet. Block IV Virginia-class submarines carry Mark 48 advanced capability torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles. 

General Dynamics Electric Boat is the prime contractor and lead design yard for the Virginia class program and constructs the ships in a teaming arrangement with HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia. 

Release from VCNO Public Affairs 

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From VCNO Public Affairs 

KEY WEST, Fla. – Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea traveled to Florida Navy installations to visit with Sailors and observe the U.S. Navy’s Hybrid Fleet event, Oct. 11. 

Franchetti and Honea opened their trip at Naval Station Mayport, where they held an all-hands call with more than 650 Sailors from around the base. The conversation lasted more than ninety minutes and covered topics like readiness and recruiting, as well as VCNO and MCPON’s priorities.  

“What we do every day is all about three things: warfighting, warfighters, and winning,” said Franchetti. “I’m counting on each and every one of you to be focused on your job, and focused on being the best that you can be in everything that you do.” 

After the all-hands call, Franchetti and Honea had lunch with commanding officers and command master chiefs from select Naval Station Mayport commands.  

“I ask that our leaders be very clear on what their priorities are, and that they articulate them very well to their Sailors so we are not wasting time or resources,” said Honea. “Then it’s about focusing on those priorities, and making sure that we are talking about those things every day.” 

The group then travelled to Naval Air Station Jacksonville, where they visited Unmanned Patrol Squadron 19 (VUP-19). At VUP-19, VCNO and MCPON received briefs on the MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft System, part of the Navy’s maritime patrol and reconnaissance family of systems. The MQ-4C Triton conducts intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions that pair with the P-8A Poseidon, and it brings increased persistence, capability, and capacity through its multi-sensor mission payload. 

The briefing previewed VCNO and MCPON’s afternoon visit to Naval Air Station Key West for the Hybrid Fleet event. Running Oct. 4-13, the event aims to evaluate unmanned aerial and surface systems in order to strengthen and increase warfighter capabilities across the Navy and U.S. Fourth Fleet area of responsibility.  

“One of the best ways to change our force is to rapidly operationalize new technologies, new systems, and new tactics, techniques, and procedures,” said Franchetti. “Whether you’re talking about artificial intelligence, cyber, unmanned platforms, directed energy, or hypersonic missiles, we are on the cusp of technological breakthroughs that are going to define future conflict.” 

The U.S. Fourth Fleet is developing, fielding and operating a hybrid fleet of manned and unmanned vessels to check the flood of illicit trafficking and learn how the Navy can more rapidly employ proven cutting-edge technology on the modern battlefield. VCNO and MCPON finished their day with demonstrations and briefings from the U.S. Fourth Fleet Innovation Team and innovative tech companies in attendance. 

Release from SECNAV Public Affairs 

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12 October 2023 

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Carlos Del Toro announced that a future San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock will be named USS Philadelphia (LPD 32) at Independence Hall, during Philadelphia Navy and Marine Corps Week, Oct. 12. 

The future USS Philadelphia honors the city and citizens of Philadelphia for their extensive maritime legacy. The name selection follows the tradition of naming amphibious transport docks after U.S. cities and cities honoring pioneers.    

“I cannot think of a city with a richer maritime history than Philadelphia. It is the birthplace of American Democracy, as well as the birthplace of both the U.S. Navy and the Marine Corps. Philadelphia is undoubtedly a ‘Navy Town,’ said Secretary Del Toro. “I am pleased to bring in the tie of the birthplace of the Marine Corps to this great ship, one that will carry Marines worldwide.” 

Along with the ship’s name, Secretary Del Toro also announced that the ship’s sponsor will be Maureen Paparo, spouse of Adm. Samuel Paparo, the 64th Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. Maureen Paparo was born and raised in Philadelphia, grew up in the Oxford Circle neighborhood in Northeast Philadelphia, attended St. Martin of Tours Catholic School and Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls, and graduated from Villanova University.   

“I have tremendous gratitude to Secretary of the Navy Del Toro to be appointed sponsor of USS Philadelphia named after our beloved hometown,” said Maureen Paparo. “May the spirit of our great city uplift the Sailors and Marines who sail in her with Honor, Courage and Commitment. Anchored by the unwavering values enshrined in Philadelphia, we sail into the future with hope and unblinking resolve.” 

This is the seventh vessel to bear the name of Philadelphia. The first Philadelphia, a Continental Navy gunboat, was launched in August 1776 and placed in service shortly thereafter on Lake Champlain. It sank during a six-hour clash with a Royal Navy squadron during the Battle of Valcour Island on Oct. 11, 1776. The second was a 28-gun frigate (1800–1804) constructed for the Navy by the citizens of Philadelphia. Serving in the Mediterranean Sea during the First Barbary War, it ran aground off Tripoli in October 1803. Captured and refloated by the Tripolitans, it was set ablaze and adrift during a daring attack led by then-Lieutenant Stephen Decatur on Feb. 16, 1804. The third Philadelphia was a side-wheel iron-hulled merchant steamer (1861–1865) that was seized by the Federal Government at the outbreak of the Civil War. It participated in the campaigns in eastern North Carolina in 1862.  The fourth Philadelphia (Cruiser No. 4) (1890–1902) was active during the Second Samoan Civil War in 1899. The fifth Philadelphia (CL 41) (1937–1947) was a Brooklyn-Class light cruiser that supported Allied operations in North Africa and Italy. The sixth Philadelphia (SSN 690) (1977–2011) was a Los Angeles-Class attack submarine that was later fitted to provide Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle mother ship support.  

The city was home to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (1801–1995), which constructed numerous Navy vessels including the second Wisconsin (BB 64).   

In 2021, the Navy has issued a $1.295 billion contract modification to HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding for the detail design and construction of LPD-32, then, the last San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock under the service’s current budget plans.  

Amphibious transport dock ships are warships that embark, transport and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions. LPDs are used to transport and land Marines, their equipment, and supplies by embarked Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) or conventional landing craft and amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) augmented by helicopters or vertical take-off and landing aircraft (MV 22). These ships support amphibious assault, special operations, or expeditionary warfare missions and serve as secondary aviation platforms for amphibious operations.  

More information on our amphibious transport dock programs can be found here.  

Release from Furuno 

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Orlando, FL - Philly Shipyard has delivered a new vessel purpose-built for training new cadets and officers who will ultimately crew both government and commercial-owned sealift ships. The 159.85-meter Empire State VII was built by TOTE Services, LLC under the NSMV (National Security Multi-Mission Vessel) program for the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) and boasts an incredible suite of quality Furuno marine electronics. The first of five new training vessels built in the United States for each of the state maritime academies in America, the Empire State includes a full training bridge and numerous training spaces, can accommodate over 600 cadets, and will be put into service at SUNY Maritime College in Fort Schuyler, N.Y. This remarkable training ship and instructional hub boasts a dual mission: facilitating the education of merchant mariners and providing vital aid in humanitarian and disaster relief operations during national crises. 

The remarkable electronics suite aboard the Empire State includes redundant X-Band and S-Band Chart Radars, ECDIS stations, and multiple communications packages. The Furuno-built, industrial Linux-based operating system, dual redundant ethernet networks, and refined installation setup greatly simplified the project, allowing this sophisticated system to be ready to operate well ahead of schedule. Hundreds of hours were required to install and configure all of the Empire State’s components, and the new navigation and communications suite will provide a safe, steady, and versatile navigation and training workhorse for many years to come. 

“The Empire State’s Integrated Navigation System is one of the largest and most comprehensive Furuno systems ever commissioned,” said Bill Haynes, Deep Sea Product Manager for Furuno USA, Inc. “Empire State sets a new standard for safety, functionality, and redundancy with dual bridges, three chart radars, ten multifunction workstations, Voyage Data Recorder, a complete acoustics suite, comprehensive Alert Management System, and dual GMDSS suites. Each workstation is ECDIS, RADAR, and CONNING capable, and both the navigation bridge and the training bridge have the tools they need to navigate safely and train our future navigation officers with the safest, most reliable, and functionally competent sensors and processors available. 

“Furuno USA is very proud to have been selected to provide our equipment and services to support this fine vessel, and we’d like to thank the US Maritime Administration, TOTE Services, Philly Shipyard, and SUNY Maritime College for placing your trust in us.” 

NSMV II, the second of the planned five vessels, is scheduled for delivery in 2024, and work is well underway for NSMV III and NSMV IV, with all five vessels to be completed and in service by 2026. 

For more information on Furuno and their complete line of Marine Electronics, contact: Furuno U.S.A., 4400 N.W. Pacific Rim Blvd., Camas, WA 98607, or visit their website at www.FurunoUSA.com. 

The new center will accommodate full-scale growth of the defense manufacturing training program, providing a pipeline of 800-1,000 skilled workers per year for high-demand jobs.   

DANVILLE, Va. (October 11, 2023) – The United States Navy broke ground on a new regional training center for the Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program in Danville today. The new 100,000-square-foot training facility, located on the campus of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR), will allow more students to enroll in accelerated four-month training programs to help them reskill or upskill for high-paying jobs. Estimated to open by 2025, the Regional Training Center expects to graduate 800-1,000 students per year to fill critical vacancies across the defense industrial base. 

The groundbreaking ceremony was held during the annual ATDM & U.S. Navy Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence (AM CoE) Summit, which gathered the Navy, Office of the Secretary of Defense, state and local officials, and industry partners to increase awareness of these important initiatives and promote participation and contributions by industry and other stakeholders. This year, ATDM instructors and students were joined by Secretary of the U.S. Navy Carlos Del Toro and Rear Admiral Scott W. Pappano to celebrate the success of the past year and discuss goals going forward. 

“The incredible progress made over the past year here in Danville, both in building the next generation of submarine builders at ATDM and in advancing the manufacturing technology we need to succeed at AM CoE, proved that we are on the right path,” said Rear Adm. Pappano, program executive officer, Strategic Submarines, U.S. Navy. “This past year established the foundation for the critical leaps forward we need in the coming years to scale both programs to ensure we have the skilled workforce with the technology and capabilities needed to build the Navy’s next generation of submarines.” 

“The groundbreaking of the Regional Training Center is a key milestone in scaling ATDM by providing a dedicated training facility with the infrastructure and equipment necessary to reach our full capacity of training potential,” said Dr. Debra Holley, director of the ATDM program. 

Darrell Daltan, chair of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, remarked that the construction of the Regional Training Center is a “win for our local economy, as it will bring up to 1,000 students a year to Danville and Pittsylvania County, and all of whom will live, work, and play here. By building its training facility in Danville, the Navy has provided a capital investment that further shows the growing prominence of this region in manufacturing and related industry sectors.” 

“We are especially fortunate that the Navy has recognized the forethought of our local leaders who have worked over the years to create educational programs that emphasize the type of knowledge and skills needed for this program,” Dalton continued. 

In partnership with the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program Office (IBAS) in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and the Navy’s Program Executive Office (PEO) Strategic Submarines, ATDM trains workers in critical manufacturing skills to establish a steady and sustainable flow of workers into the SIB/DIB to fill critical skills gaps and labor shortages. The AM CoE directly supports the growth of our nation’s industrial base by using additive manufacturing for the production of submarine components to bolster naval shipbuilding and repair supply chains. 

America’s defense industrial base (DIB) is still greatly in need of workers who can build and repair naval ships. The lack of workforce and manufacturing shortfalls in this area impact the material readiness of the current naval fleet; major maintenance and overhaul availability; and new construction. The construction of the “1 COLUMBIA + 2 VIRGINIA” naval ships beginning in FY26 will further stress the Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) and increase the need for qualified talent in the workforce. The AM CoE, which formally opened at last year’s summit, directly supports growth of our nation’s industrial base by scaling and maturing additive manufacturing technologies in the SIB. The technologies enable innovative production of submarine components to bolster naval shipbuilding and repair supply chains. As a result, the AM CoE will increase overall manufacturing capacity and close the supply-demand gap in critical marketspaces like castings, forgings, fittings, and fasteners.  

The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) has also been selected by the U.S. Navy Program Executive Office, Strategic Submarines (PEO SSBN) as the designated memorial location for the Ex-USS Buffalo (SSN 715) sail and the Ex-USS Providence (SSN 719) rudder to preserve and commemorate the history of these submarines and honor the service of their crews. This memorial demonstrates the strong partnership between the Navy and Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM). 

“Today marks a new chapter in the exciting growth of the ATDM program and further exemplifies the educational, workforce, and technological innovation that is taking place in Virginia. The investments made here are vital to the economic progress of the entire commonwealth,” said Telly Tucker, president of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, which leads the multi-year ATDM pilot project. IALR’s Center for Manufacturing Advancement is also home to the Navy’s AM CoE. 

“The ATDM program marks a bold step forward,” said Danville City Councilman Lee Vogler. “This initiative stands at the forefront of addressing the challenges facing our defense industrial base and, by extension, our nation’s security.” 

The sail was part of the Ex-USS Buffalo (SSN 715), a decommissioned United States Navy LOS ANGELES Class nuclear-powered attack submarine. USS Buffalo (SSN 715) was commissioned in November 1983, and decommissioned in January 2019. During that time, she saw most of her service in the Pacific area of operation. 

The rudder hails from Ex-USS Providence (SSN 719), also a decommissioned United States Navy LOS ANGELES Class nuclear-powered attack submarine. Ex-USS Providence (SSN 719) was commissioned in July 1985. In August 2021, USS Providence was transferred from Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn., to Kitsap Naval Base in Bremerton, Wash., for decommissioning after 37 years of service. 

To learn more about the new regional training center, or ATDM program classes and cohorts, please visit www.atdm.org.