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Home : Media : News Admin
NEWS | Feb. 24, 2016

COMSUBPAC conducts all-hands call at Bangor

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amanda Gray, Submarine Group Nine Public Affairs

BANGOR, Wash. – Rear Adm. Frederick J. Roegge, Commander, Submarine Force U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC), conducted an all hands call at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Feb. 22.

Roegge spoke to over 650 Sailors, both officer and enlisted, in two separate groups at the base theater. The primary purpose of his visit was to communicate the Commander’s Intent for United States Submarine Forces and Supporting Organizations to all Bangor Sailors.

"I am delighted to be back here in Bangor and I thank everyone for coming out," said Roegge. "The Commander’s Intent is intended for everyone in here in the audience today. As I look around the room I see an awful lot of people with a variety of different warfare pins, so even if you’re not wearing dolphins, you are responsible for enabling the success of the submarine fleet."

The Commander’s Intent was updated and released to the submarine force by Vice Adm. Joseph Tofalo, Commander, Submarine Forces, Rear Adm. Charles Richard, Director, Undersea Warfare Division, and Rear Adm. Roegge last December. It focuses on four lines of effort: (1) provide ready forces, (2) employ the force effectively, (3) develop future capability, and (4) empower our Sailors.

“The role of the submarine force is to operate forward, independently, and remain undetected to be able to do what the nation requires,” said Roegge. “Is the nation doing enough to invest in our strategic capability? I think the answer is yes. Currently, the number one acquisition priority for the Department of the Navy is the Ohio-replacement program, which we know we will need as our Trident force eventually phases out.”

Roegge concluded his brief with a question and answer session from the Sailors in the audience. He answered questions about the current state of strategic deterrence, the possibility of port calls for ballistic-missile submarines, improvements to computer systems, and the improvement of education opportunities for deployed submarine Sailors.

"It was good to hear from Rear Adm. Roegge about the plans for the future of submarines through the Commander’s Intent and the 2025 Initiative,” said Yeoman 2nd Class Christopher Pelkey, assigned to Commander, Submarine Group Nine. “The fact that he came out here to talk with us, and is obviously very passionate about this guidance, shows me that things are going to continue to change and improve.”

The Pacific Submarine Force provides anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, precision land strike, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and early warning and special warfare capabilities to U.S. Pacific Command and strategic deterrence capabilities to U.S. Strategic Command.

For more news from the Submarine Force Pacific, visit www.csp.navy.mil.