Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Rex Nelson | 151026-N-QO773-015 KINGS BAY, Ga. (Oct. 26, 2015) Vice Adm. Joseph Tofalo, commander...... read more read more
Subscribe
KINGS BAY, Ga. – Vice Adm. Joseph Tofalo, Commander, U.S. Submarine Forces Command, visited Kings Bay Oct. 26, 2015. During his visit, Tofalo attended an award ceremony honoring USS Alaska (SSBN 732) on their accomplishment as the 2014 winner of Battenberg Cup.
During his ceremony remarks, Tofalo offered his congratulations to the crew. “This is a trophy for the best unit in the Atlantic fleet, not just submarine. Congratulations on a job extremely well done and I look forward to more great things from the crew of USS Alaska.”
The Battenberg Cup is awarded annually to the best all-around ship or submarine in the Atlantic Fleet on the accumulation of the crew's success. Alaska was recognized for the crew’s outstanding achievements over the course of 2014.
"We are truly honored to receive the cherished Battenberg Cup for 2014,” said Cmdr. David Forman, commanding officer of Alaska’s Blue crew. “As the award was originally intended to do back in 1905, Alaska's superior performance is a testament to the talent and dedication of her enlisted crew.”
Though other submarines have received the award before, Alaska is the first SSBN to win the cup since the award’s inception in 1905. The other winners were the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Memphis (SSN 691) in 2005 and the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Miami (SSN 755) in 1999 and the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Boise (SSN 764) in 2011.
“We are also greatly humbled to be the first ballistic missile submarine to earn this distinctive recognition. With continued pride, the fine men of Alaska will continue to provide safe, secure, effective and survivable strategic deterrence on our next patrol," said Forman.
The other ships in the Battenberg Cup competition were the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) representing Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic and the amphibious assault ship USS Battan (LHD 5) representing Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic.
The Battenberg Cup, also known as the British Challenge Cup, was initiated by Rear Adm. Prince Louis of Battenberg. Under his command in 1905 four armored cruisers from the British Second Cruiser Squadron made a goodwill cruise to Annapolis, Md., Washington and New York. The visit was hosted by Rear Adm. Robley D. Evans, Commander in Chief of the Atlantic Fleet.
After returning to Great Britain, he created the cup to recognize the “good fellowship and wonderful entertainments” he and his men experienced in their visit to the United States. The large silver trophy he made stood an impressive three feet high and 11 inches in diameter at the top.
Battenberg mailed the cup to Evans, with an accompanying letter stating the cup was intended for the enlisted men under Evans’ command. The letter also requested the cup to become a challenge cup. In accordance with Battenberg’s wishes, Evans subsequently set up racing rules so that British Sailors would compete with American Sailors in using U.S. Navy standard racing cutters. From 1906 until 1940, competitions were held until the war years disrupted them and they never resumed until 1978.
That year Adm. Isaac C. Kidd, Jr, Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet reinstated the Battenberg Cup Award, not for racing cutters, but as a symbol of operational excellence within the Atlantic Fleet.
“I am very proud of all the hard-working Sailors aboard the submarines here in Kings Bay, but it is a privilege to honor USS Alaska for this significant accomplishment. They are more than deserving of this recognition,” said Adm. Randy Crites, Commander, Submarine Group 10.
In 2014, USS Alaska participated in numerous strategic exercises, supported midshipman operations and prospective commanding officer and executive officer operations.
Additionally, Alaska won the Battle Efficiency Award and was also awarded the 2014 Retention Excellence Award. For the second consecutive year, a junior officer from Alaska was selected as the Submarine Squadron 20 Junior Officer of the Year.
"The standard that the crew maintains on a daily basis is the only reason that we were nominated and selected for the Battenberg Cup,” said Master Chief Yeoman Dave Wright, Chief of the Boat Alaska (Blue). “The chiefs and officers are extremely fortunate to be working with such a talented group of men. The relentless dedication and superior performance the crew displays daily is the reason Alaska continues to be successful at defending our nation through strategic deterrence."
Alaska is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to be named for the State of Alaska and the seventh of 18 Ohio-class submarines. USS Alaska was commissioned January 25, 1986.
| Date Taken: | 10.26.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.26.2015 11:33 |
| Story ID: | 179937 |
| Location: | KINGS BAY, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,980 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Commander, US Submarine Forces, visits Kings Bay, honors USS Alaska, by PO1 Rex Nelson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
