Commander, Submarine Group 7 Speaks at Submarine Institute of Australia Conference

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Robert Reinheimer | CANBERRA, Australia - Rear Adm. Rick Seif, commander, Submarine Group (CSG) 7, addresses attendees at the Submarine Institute of Australia (SIA) 11th Biennial Conference 2022 at the Hotel Realm in Canberra, Australia, Nov. 9. The theme of the conference was “Nuclear Powered Australian Submarines - Challenges & Opportunities.” CSG 7 directs forward-deployed, combat capable forces across the full spectrum of undersea warfare throughout the western Pacific, Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Cmdr. Rob Reinheimer)  

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA

11.09.2022

Story by Lt.Cmdr. Robert Reinheimer 

Commander, Submarine Group Seven

CANBERRA, Australia -- Rear Adm. Rick Seif, commander, Submarine Group (CSG) 7/Task Force (CTF) 54/CTF 74 participated in the Submarine Institute of Australia (SIA) 11th Biennial Conference 2022 in Canberra, Australia, Nov. 9.

Seif participated in a panel discussion with Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Rear Adm. Matt Buckley, Head of Capability Nuclear-Powered Submarine Task Force, and Royal Navy Rear Adm. Tim Hodgson, Director Nuclear Technology which focused on the challenges ahead as Australia takes steps in the coming years to build and field their first-ever nuclear-powered submarine.

During his remarks, Seif discussed the capabilities of the nuclear-powered submarine, his role as theater undersea warfare commander for U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet, and the importance of the Alliances with both the Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy.

“Conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines, SSNs, are our asymmetric advantage, and the true apex predators of the Pacific,” said Seif. “Speed, stealth, payload and endurance– with five SSNs homeported in the western Pacific, plus our rotational deployers, it's very common for U.S. submarines to reposition literally thousands of miles in just a few days to cover any mission set.”

The theme of the conference was “Nuclear Powered Australian Submarines – Challenges and Opportunities,” and focused on the unique challenges and opportunities the decision to acquire nuclear-powered submarines provides the Australian defense community. Some of the featured speakers included Honorable Richard Marles, Australia’s deputy prime minister, and RAN Vice Adm. Mark Hammond, chief of navy.

“Speaking with two of our closest submarine force Allies and discussing the many aspects of our respective submarine programs was a tremendous opportunity," said Seif. "This sharing of information is vital as we continue to focus on the interchangeability of our forces in the months and years to come.”

Submarine Group 7 is responsible for coordinating a diverse fleet of submarines, surface ships, and aircraft deployed to the western Pacific and the Middle East; two forward-deployed submarine tenders and five attack submarines homeported in Guam; Submarine Squadron 21 in Bahrain; five ocean surveillance ships when tasked for theater anti-submarine warfare operations, and two oceanographic survey vessels. Under CSG 7 are two task forces: CTF 74 and CTF 54, which provide theater anti-submarine warfare support from the Red Sea to the International Date Line.

For more news from Commander, Submarine Group 7, visit www.csp.navy.mil/csg7/.

• Date Taken: 11.09.2022
• Date Posted: 11.22.2022 20:41
• Story ID: 433613
• Location: CANBERRA, AU