Military

Pacific Fleet Submarines Selected for Battle "E" Awards

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080105-01
Release Date: 1/5/2008 10:16:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Luciano Marano, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, Rear Adm. Joe Walsh announced the winners of the 2007 Battle Efficiency Awards (Battle "E") for the Pacific Fleet Submarine Force, Jan. 1.

Three Pearl Harbor based nuclear-powered attack submarines were selected for the award, including USS Cheyenne (SSN 773), from Submarine Squadron 7; USS Los Angeles (SSN 688) and USS Key West (SSN 722) from Submarine Squadron's 1 and 3 respectively, were the other Pearl Harbor-based winners this year.

Capt. Jeffrey Powers, commodore, Submarine Squadron 7, presented Cheyenne's Battle "E" on Jan. 4, to Cmdr. Mike Tesar, commanding officer.

"I'm super proud of all of you," said Powers. "We'll continue to expect great things from Cheyenne in the future."

According to Rear Adm. Walsh the competition for this year's awards was extremely tough.

"Each crew member of an award winner can be justifiably proud of their contribution to improve Pacific Submarine Force Readiness," Walsh said. "I am extremely proud of your outstanding performance."

Other Pacific Fleet ships and submarines receiving the Battle "E" included: USS Topeka (SSN 754), the floating dry dock Arco (ARDM 5) and torpedo retriever Porpoise (TWR 823) homeported in San Diego; USS Houston (SSN 713) and USS Frank Cable (AS 40) homeported in Guam; USS Jimmy Carter (SSN 23), USS Maine (SSBN 741) and USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) homeported in Bangor, Wash.

The Battle "E" award recognizes sustained superior performance in all areas of combat readiness. As part of the competition, ships compete for command excellence in four combat areas, to include: maritime warfare, engineering/survivability, command and control and logistics management.

To receive the nod for battle efficiency, a ship must excel in all four areas.

For more news from Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/subpac/.