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Commodore of Submarine Squadron 2 Presents USS Providence Battle "E"

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS120114-05
1/14/2012

By Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg, Commander, Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs

GROTON, Conn. (NNS) -- The commodore of Submarine Squadron 2 presented USS Providence (SSN 719) leadership and her crew with the Battle Efficiency "E" during an awards ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London Jan. 13.

Capt. Michael Holland's participation marked the last time he will present an award to a Submarine Squadron 2 assigned submarine. An official disestablishment is scheduled for the same day at the Shepherd of the Sea Chapel in Groton.

"Very well done, thank you for your hard effort in achieving this milestone," said Holland. "I've been proud to be your commodore."

Holland also reflected on Providence's support of Joint Task Force Odyssey Dawn in 2011. "One word to describe your support - remarkable," said Holland.

The Battle "E" competition is conducted to strengthen individual command performance, overall force readiness, and to recognize outstanding performance. The criteria for the award is the overall readiness of the command to carry out its assigned wartime tasks as a unit of the Atlantic Submarine Force, and is based on a year-long evaluation.

One submarine from each submarine squadron in the Atlantic Fleet is recognized. The awards are presented by the commodore of each squadron to the submarine under their command which has demonstrated the highest level of battle readiness during the evaluation year.

The disestablishment consolidates all Submarine Squadron 2 assigned attack submarines under Submarine Squadron 4 and Commander, Submarine Development Squadron 12. Under the consolidation USS Springfield (SSN 761) is assigned to Submarine Squadron 4; USS Dallas (SSN 700), USS Providence, and USS Pittsburgh (SSN 720) are assigned to Submarine Development Squadron 12.

Providence is named for the capital city of Rhode Island, and is the fifth ship to bear the name.