Submarine Squadron 16
| Submarine Squadron 16 | |
|---|---|
| Active |
1941-1945, 1963-1994, 1997-present |
| Country | United States |
| Garrison/HQ | Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Capt. Adam D. Palmer |
Submarine Squadron 16 is a United States Navy unit that served in World War II and the Cold War before being deactivated in the 1990s. It was reactivated in 1997 and now is responsible for the maintenance and operation of three guided-missile submarines (SSGNs) based in King's Bay, Georgia.
World War II service
Squadron 16 was first established in World War II. It was credited with sinking more than 500,000 tons of enemy shipping. It was deactivated following the war.[1]
Cold War service
Squadron 16 was reactivated in 1963 and was given command of the second nuclear-missile submarine squadron to exist in the US Navy. During this time, the squadron was based in Rota, Spain.[1] In 1979, the squadron was moved to Kings Bay, Georgia. It was deactivated on June 25, 1994 as part of the draw-down in US submarine forces following the Cold War.[1]
Current service
Submarine Squadron 16 was reactivated on August 8, 1997 as part of a reorganization within the Navy to provide better support to its smaller units. Originally, the squadron was intended to evenly split the command of the ten submarines stationed at Kings Bay with the other squadron stationed there, Submarine Squadron 20.[1] These two squadrons operated jointly beginning in 2005 after the number of submarines at Kings Bay dropped to six. They continued joint operations until 2009, at which point Squadron 16 took command of the SSGNs present at Kings Bay, while Squadron 20 became in control of the SSBSNs. Following the separation ceremony, the two squadrons also took on different focal point for their future planning and operations. For Squadron 16, this was to "focus on the emerging operation SSGN multi-mission capability and [to] build on the excellence already established in strike warfare and special operations forces delivery and support, among many other missions while supporting SSBNs during and after overhaul periods."[2]
Squadron 16 is currently commanded by Captain Adam D. Palmer and includes three SSGNs: USS Florida, USS Georgia, and USS Rhode Island.[3]
References
- 1 2 3 4 Fritz, John (August 7, 1994). "Submarine Squadron Reactivated August 8, 1994". The Florida Times-Union. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- ↑ "Navy's Only Combined Submarine Squadron Splits to Enhance Warfighting Readiness". EBSCOhost. March 27, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- ↑ "COMSUBGRU 10". US Navy. Retrieved November 29, 2016.