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New Submarine Squadron Stands Up on Subase Bangor

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040406-09

Release Date: 4/6/2004 7:19:00 PM

By Journalist 2nd Class Mary Popejoy, U.S. Naval Submarine Base Bangor Public Affairs

SILVERDALE, Wash. (NNS) -- Commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 19 stood up April 1 to augment CSS 17 with supporting boats on the waterfront at Naval Submarine Base (Subase) Bangor.

CSS 17's mission has been to support the nine boats and 18 crews that make up the strategic deterrent force in the Pacific. The decision to stand up CSS 19 gives the Sailors of the boats the added attention they need.

"What we've done is created Naval Submarine Support Center (NSSC) Bangor, which stood up in early February, and who will take over the maintenance and routine administrative functions that CSS 17 managed," said Capt. Robert Schuetz, commodore of Submarine Squadron 17. "The remaining year-round training responsibilities will be split between a much leaner CSS 17 staff and the new CSS 19. This new arrangement gives us in Bangor the flexibility and resources to ensure well maintained submarines are manned by well trained crews, who are always available to continue the mission of strategic deterrence."

According to Schuetz, the new addition should benefit the crews immensely.

"I think it will be good for the subs, because they don't have to worry about working for one boss for three months and then a different one for the next three months when they're in the off crew. It will be one group looking at them year-round, so we'll be able to provide them with more frequent and consistent contact."

Schuetz went on to say that having CSS 17 on Subase will be extremely beneficial.

"Our mission is to provide combat ready submarines who are always prepared to go to sea. I think by providing this year round focus on training from one consistent organization, we'll see the proficiency of all our subs go up," Schuetz said.

"We'll be providing a better product to our customer, U.S. Strategic Command, who is responsible for the nation's deterrent mission, so we want to give him a ship that can do everything he needs it to do and be as good as they can be," Schuetz added.

Schuetz will serve as the interim commodore of CSS 19 until the new commodore arrives in July.