VENTING SANITARY

INBOARD Issue 291, March 2019

OUR CREED:

“To perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in pursuit of their duties while

serving their country. That their dedication, deeds, and supreme sacrifice be a constant source of

motivation toward greater accomplishments. Pledge loyalty and patriotism to the United States

of America and its Constitution.”

Hello Shipmates,

The Blueback Base will be at the Veterans home at the Dalles on

Saturday March 9, 2019 from 1330-1630. We will escort the residents

from their room to the activity room for a movie matinee. The movie

will be Hunter Killer and we will make popcorn and serve it to the

residents. Cookies will also be available for those who can not have

popcorn.

After the movie, we will have a question and answer portion (time

permitting) on the life onboard a submarine. Of course it depends on the weather.

On Saturday, April 13, 2019 1200-1500 the Blueback base will hold its 119th Submarine Birthday

luncheon at the Old Spaghetti Factory at 12725 SE 93rd ave. Clackamas, Or. We will be in the

banquet room and we will be ordering off the menu. We will also hold our Holland Club inductee

ceremony honoring 2 inductees. Please come share some great food and sea stories with you fellow

shipmates and their guests.

Unfortunately, every year father time catches up and we get a year older. It is hard for a young

person like myself to see at night especially if it is raining. I would like to see everyone have a

chance to come to our monthly meetings and not have to worry about driving during the dark as

much as possible. A motion was made and passed to change the monthly meetings from November

through the month of April. The Blueback Base monthly meeting will be held on the 2nd Saturday

of the month and start at 1300 between the months of November through April and will revert back

to the 2nd Thursday at 1900 from May through October.

Vice Commander Jay Aglar is looking for assistance in finding a location for our annual Holiday

Dinner. If you would like to help please contact Jay Agler at Aglerjay331@yahoo.com or 503-915-

8030.

I am looking for 2-3 volunteers to conduct our 2019 audit of the Blueback’s Financial accounts. If

you are willing to assist please let me know.

Our next meeting will be March 14, 2019 at 1900 at Rose Villa senior living. I will not be present

as I will be in Alaska. Secretary Jay Perry has offered to fill in for me.

Bill William Long, Base Commander

FORWARD BATTERY

BASE COMMANDER

Bill Long

503.939.4134

VICE COMMANDER

Jay Agler

503.771.1774

SECRETARY

John Perry

503.397.5095

TREASURER

Scott Duncan

503.667.0728

CHAPLAIN

Scott Duncan

503.667.0728

CHIEF OF THE BOAT

Arlo Gatchel

503.771.0540

WAYS & MEANS OFFICER

Steve Daniels

503.806.3790

SMALL STORES BOSS

Woody Turner

360.635.1319

MEMBERSHIP CHAIR/POC

Dave Vrooman

503.466.0379

PAST BASE COMMANDER

George Hudson

503.241.8858

BYLAWS/NOMINATION

COMMITTEE CHAIR

George Hudson

503.241.8858

TRUSTEE

Gary Webb

503.632.6259

NEWSLETTER EDITOR

Randy Weston

503.779.5439

HISTORIAN/ALL-AROUND

GOOD GUY

Bob Walters

503.284.8693

USS Perch (SS-176)

Class: Porpoise Class

Launched: 9 May 1936

Commissioned: 19 November 1936

Builder: Electric Boat Company,

Groton, Connecticut

Length: 300’ 6”

Beam: 26’ 0”

Lost on 3 March 1942

No Loss of Life

On the evening of 1 March 1942, Perch surfaced 30 miles (48 km)

northwest of Surabaya, Java, and started in for an attack on a

Japanese convoy landing troops to the west of Surabaya. Two

Japanese destroyers (Amatsukaze and Hatsukaze) attacked and

drove her down with a string of depth charges which caused her

to bottom at 135 feet (41 m). Several more depth charge attacks

caused extensive damage, putting the starboard motors out of

commission and causing extensive flooding throughout the boat.

After repairs Perch surfaced at 0200, only to be again driven down

by destroyers. The loss of oil and air from damaged ballast tanks

convinced the Japanese that Perch was breaking up and they

went on to look for other kills, allowing her to escape.

With decks awash and only one engine in commission, the crew

made all possible repairs. During the early morning of 3 March, a

test dive was made with almost fatal results. Expert handling and

good luck enabled her to surface, and she began making repairs.

Then, as if this wasn’t enough, two Japanese cruisers and three

destroyers hove into view and began firing. As shells straddled the

boat, her skipper ordered, "Abandon ship, scuttle the boat." With

all hull openings open, Perch made her last dive. She was stricken

from the Naval Vessel Register on 24 June 1942.

The entire crew was captured by the Japanese destroyer Ushio.

Six of her crew died as POWs.

Perch earned one battle star for her service in World War II.

USS Grampus (SS-207)

Class: Tambor Class

Launched: 23 December 1940

Commissioned: 23 May 1941

Builder: Electric Boat Company,

Groton, Connecticut

Length: 307’ 2”

Beam: 27’ 3”

Lost on 5 March 1943

71 Men Lost

In company with Grayback, Grampus departed Brisbane on 11

February 1943 for her sixth war patrol from which she failed to

return; the manner of her loss still remains a mystery. Japanese

seaplanes reported sinking a submarine on 18 February in

Grampus' patrol area, but Grayback reported seeing Grampus in

that same area on 4 March. On 5 March 1943 the Japanese

destroyers Minegumo and Murasame conducted an attack

preceding the Battle of Blackett Strait, near Kolombangara Island.

A heavy oil slick was sighted there the following day, indicating

that Grampus may have been lost there in a night attack or gun

battle against the destroyers. The Japanese destroyers had by

then already been sunk in a night action with U.S. cruisers and

destroyers.

When repeated attempts to contact Grampus failed, the

submarine was declared missing and presumed lost with all hands.

Her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 21 June

1943.

Grampus received three battle stars for her World War II service.

USS H-1 (SS-28)

Class: H Class

Launched: 6 May 1913

Commissioned: 1 December 1913

Builder: Union Iron Works,

San Francisco, California

Length: 150’ 4”

Beam: 15’ 10”

Lost on 12 March 1920

4 Men Lost

H-1 (originally named Seawolf) and her sister ship H-2 sailed for San

Pedro, California on 6 January 1920, transiting the Panama Canal

on 20 February. On 12 March, as H-1 made her way up the coast

of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, she ran aground on a shoal

off Santa Margarita Island.

Four men — including the commanding officer, Lieutenant

Commander James R. Webb — died trying to reach shore. Vestal

pulled H-1 off the rocks in the morning of 24 March but in only

45 minutes, the submarine sank in some 50 feet (15 m) of water.

Further salvage effort was abandoned. Her name was stricken

from the Naval Vessel Register on 12 April 1920. She was sold for

scrap in June 1920, but was never recovered.

Her wreck was rediscovered in 1992.

USS Triton (SS-201)

Class: Tambor Class

Launched: 25 March 1940

Commissioned: 15 August 1940

Builder: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard,

Kittery, Maine

Length: 307’ 2”

Beam: 27’ 3”

Lost on 15 March 1943

74 Men Lost

On 16 February 1943, Triton began her sixth and final war patrol,

hoping to destroy enemy shipping between the Shortland Basin

and Rabaul. She reported smoke on 22 February as well as a new

Japanese radar at Buka. On 6 March, the submarine attacked a

convoy of five destroyer-escorted ships, sinking the cargo ship

Kiriha Maru and damaging another freighter. One of her

torpedoes made a circular run, and Triton went deep to evade it.

She attacked another convoy on the night of 8 March and

claimed that five of the eight torpedoes she had fired scored hits.

She could not observe the results or make a follow-up attack

because gunfire from the escorts forced her down.

On 11 March, Triton reported she was chasing two convoys, each

made up of five or more ships. She was informed Trigger (SS-237)

was operating in an adjoining area and ordered to stay south of

the equator. On 13 March, Triton was warned that three enemy

(See “Boats Lost in the Month of March,” Page 3)

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(Continued From Page 2)

destroyers including the Akikaze were in her area, either looking for

a convoy or hunting American submarines.

On 15 March, Trigger reported she had attacked a convoy and

had been depth charged. Even though attacks on her ceased,

she could still hear distant depth charging for about an hour. No

further messages from Triton were ever received. Post-war

examination of Japanese records revealed on 15 March 1943,

three Japanese destroyers attacked a submarine a little northwest

of Triton's assigned area and subsequently observed an oil slick,

debris, and items with American markings. On 10 April 1943, Triton

was reported overdue from patrol and presumed lost.

Triton received five battle stars for her World War II service.

USS Kete (SS-369)

Class: Balao Class

Launched: 9 April 1944

Commissioned: 31 July 1944

Builder: Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co.,

Manitowoc, Wisconsin

Length: 311’ 9”

Beam: 27’ 3”

Lost on 20 March 1945

87 Men Lost

With Lieutenant Commander Edward Ackerman in command,

Kete cleared Guam on 1 March 1945 for her second war patrol.

Assigned to waters surrounding the Nansei Shoto Chain, she

resumed lifeguard duty and gathered weather data for the

forthcoming invasion of Okinawa. While patrolling west of Tokara

Retto on the nights of 9 and 10 March, she surprised an enemy

convoy and torpedoed three marus totaling 6,881 tons. During the

night of 14 March, she attacked a cable-laying ship.

With only three torpedoes remaining, she was ordered to depart

the area on 20 March, refuel at Midway Island, and proceed to

Pearl Harbor for refit. Kete acknowledged these orders on 19

March and, while steaming eastward the following day, she sent in

a weather report from a position south of Colnett Strait. She was

neither seen nor heard from again. Kete was scheduled to arrive

at Midway by 31 March; when repeated attempts to contact her

by radio failed she was reported as presumed lost on 16 April.

Circumstances surrounding her loss remain a mystery. The cause

could have been an operational malfunction, a mine explosion, or

enemy action.

Kete received one battle star for World War II service.

USS F-4 (SS-23)

Class: F Class

Launched: 6 January 1912

Commissioned: 3 May 1913

Builder: Moran Brothers Company,

Seattle, Washington

Length: 142’ 7”

Beam: 15’ 5”

Lost on 25 March 1915

21 Men Lost

Joining the First Submarine Group, Pacific Torpedo Flotilla, F-4

participated in the development operations of that group along

the west coast, and from August 1914, in Hawaiian waters. During

submarine maneuvers off Honolulu, Hawaii on 25 March 1915, she

sank at a depth of 306 feet (93 m), 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from the

harbor. Despite valorous efforts of naval authorities at Honolulu to

locate the missing boat and save her crew, all 21 perished. F-4

was the first commissioned submarine of the U.S. Navy to be lost at

sea.

A diving and engineering precedent was established with the

Navy's raising of the submarine on 29 August 1915. Courage and

tenacity marked the efforts of divers who descended to attach

cables to tow the boat into shallow water, while ingenuity and

engineering skill characterized the direction of Naval Constructor

J.A. Furer, Rear Admiral C.B.T. Moore, and Lieutenant C. Smith who

accomplished the feat with the aid of specially devised and

constructed pontoons. Navy diver George D Stillson found the

superstructure caved in and the hull filled with water.

Only four of the dead could be identified; the 17 others were

buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

F-4 was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 31 August 1915.

USS Tullibee (SS-284)

Class: Gato Class

Launched: 11 November 1942

Commissioned: 15 February 1943

Builder: Mare Island Naval Shipyard,

Vallejo, California

Length: 311’ 9”

Beam: 27’ 3”

Lost on 26 March 1944

80 Men Lost

On 5 March 1944, Tullibee stood out of Pearl Harbor to begin her

fourth war patrol. Nine days later, she called at Midway Island to

top off her fuel and then proceeded to her patrol area in the

Palau Islands. She was scheduled to support aircraft carrier strikes

against those islands on 30–31 March. On 25 March, Tullibee

arrived on station and began patrolling. The next day, off the

Palau Islands she made radar contact on a convoy consisting of a

large passenger-cargo ship, two medium-sized freighters, a

destroyer, and two other escorts. The submarine made several

surface runs on the transport but kept losing her in rain squalls.

Tullibee finally closed to 3,000 yards (2,700 m) and launched two

torpedoes from her bow tubes at the target. About two minutes

later, the submarine was rocked by a violent explosion. It was only

learned after the war that Tullibee’s torpedo had run a circular

course and she had sunk herself.

Gunner's Mate C.W. Kuykendall, on the bridge at the time, was

knocked unconscious and thrown into the water. When he

regained consciousness, the submarine was gone. He heard

voices in the water for about ten minutes before they stopped.

The next day, he was picked up by Japanese destroyer Wakatake.

Kuykendall survived as a prisoner of war and was released after V-

J Day.

Tullibee received three battle stars for World War II service.

(See “Boats Lost in the Month of March,” Page 4)

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(Continued From Page 3)

USS Trigger (SS-237)

Class: Gato Class

Launched: 22 October 1941

Commissioned: 31 January 1942

Builder: Mare Island Naval Shipyard,

Vallejo, California

Length: 311’ 9”

Beam: 27’ 3”

Lost on 26 March 1945

89 Men Lost

Trigger (with new skipper Commander David R. Connole) stood out

to sea on 11 March 1945 to begin her 12th war patrol and headed

for the Nansei Shoto area. On 18 March she attacked a convoy

west of the islands, sinking the cargo ship Tsukushi Maru No. 3 and

damaging another. She reported the attack on 20 March, and the

submarine was subsequently ordered to radio as many movements

of the convoy as possible to help find a safe passage through a

known mined area of the East China Sea.

On 24 March, Trigger was ordered to begin patrolling west of the

islands the next day, outside the 100 fathom curve, and to steer

clear of restricted areas. On 26 March, she was ordered to join a

wolf pack called "Earl's Eliminators" and to acknowledge receipt of

the message. A weather report came from the submarine that day

but no confirmation of her having received the message. The

weather report was Trigger's last transmission. On 4 April she was

ordered to proceed to Midway, but she had not arrived by 1 May

and was reported as presumed lost.

Postwar records indicate she torpedoed and sank the Japanese

repair ship Odate on 27 March. The next day, Japanese planes

and ships joined in a two-hour attack on a submarine heard by

Silversides, Sea Dog, Hackleback, and Threadfin in adjacent areas.

Threadfin was the only one of these submarines attacked that day,

and she reported hearing many depth charges and several heavy

explosions east of her after the attack on her ceased. Postwar

Japanese records showed a Japanese aircraft detected and

bombed a submarine on 28 March 1945. Kaibokan Mikura, CD-33,

and CD-59 were then guided to the spot and delivered an

intensive depth charging. After two hours, a large oil slick

appeared.

Trigger was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 11 July 1945.

Trigger received 11 battle stars for her World War II service and was

awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for her fifth, sixth, and

seventh war patrols. She is credited with sinking 18 ships (tied with

Seawolf and Rasher for seventh on the list of confirmed sinkings by

number of ships) totaling 86,552 tons (seventh on the list of

confirmed sinkings by tonnage).

We would also like to remind all hands of our upcoming Submarine Birthday

Luncheon at the Old Spaghetti Factory on 12725 S.E. 93rd Ave Clackamas,

Oregon across the street from the Monarch Hotel. The date is April 13

and the time is 11:30 to 3 pm.

Venting Sanitary Inboard – Page 4

March 14............................................................................ Base Meeting (Rose Villa, Senior Living, 13505 SE River Rd, Portland)

March 10............................................................................................................................................. Daylight Savings Time Begins

March 17................................................................................................................................................................... St. Patrick’s Day

March 28.......................................................................... Veterans’ Memorial Service (1400 at Willamette National Cemetery)

April 11 ................................................................................................................ 117th Birthday of the U.S. Navy Submarine Force

April 13 ...........................Submarine Birthday Luncheon/Holland Club Induction Ceremony (1130 at Old Spaghetti Factory)

April 21 ......................................................................................................................................................................... Easter Sunday

April 15 .................................................................................................................................................................................... Tax Day

April 25 ............................................................................. Veterans’ Memorial Service (1400 at Willamette National Cemetery)

May 9 ................................................................................. Base Meeting (Rose Villa, Senior Living, 13505 SE River Rd, Portland)

May 12 ........................................................................................................................................................................... Mothers’ Day

May 18 ..................................................................................................................................................................Armed Forces Day

May 25 ............................................................................. Veterans’ Memorial Service (1400 at Willamette National Cemetery)

May 27 ......................................................................................................................................................................... Memorial Day

Venting Sanitary Inboard – Page 5

BLUEBACK BASE MEETING MINUTES 14 February 2019

1800 A formal E-Board Meeting was not convened due to the inability to establish a quorum as required by the

Blueback Base Constitution and Bylaws. Commander Bill Long held an informal discussion with those E-Board

members present including: Chief of the Boat Arlo Gatchel; Trustee Gary Webb; and Ways & Means Officer

Steve Daniels. Reviewed the Commander’s Plan of the Day. Bills were presented, approved by the Base

Commander, and ordered to be paid.

1900 Blueback Base Meeting called to order by Base Commander Bill Long.

Invocation: Base Chaplain Scott Duncan

Flag Salute: Base Commander Bill Long

Tolling the Boats: Alan Brodie/Chief of the Boat Arlo Gatchel

Moment of Silence for Lost Shipmates

Reading of USSVI Purpose and Creed: Base Commander Bill Long

Introductions: All

Secretary’s Report: Due to the absence of the Base Secretary, there was no Secretary’s Report this month.

Treasurer’s Report: Base Treasurer Scott Duncan

Base Commander’s Report: Base Commander Bill Long

Old Business:

• Base Commander Bill Long discussed the Submarine Birthday Luncheon to be held on 13 April 2019 at the

Old Spaghetti Factory in Clackamas, Oregon from 1200 to 1500. Those attending will order directly off the

menu at regular menu prices. At present, two Blueback Base members are scheduled to be inducted in

the Holland Club this year.

• The Joint Base summer picnic (for all USSVI bases/base members in Oregon/Washington) is scheduled for

Saturday, 10 August 2019 at Champoeg State Park. The picnic will begin at 1100 (the pavilion is reserved

for the entire day, so there is no set end time). Commander Long will reach out to the Base Commanders

of the other USSVI bases in Oregon and Washington to remind them of the event, ask them to put the word

out to their respective members at future meetings, and provide a tentative head count.

• Vice Commander Jay Agler is working on securing the venue for the 2019 Christmas Party. Jay has met

with the staff at the Sheraton Airport Hotel and is working on both a menu for the event and on obtaining

discounted room rates for those members who desire to stay overnight. The event will be held on one of

two dates: either Thursday, 12 December 2019 (the regularly scheduled meeting date for December) or

Saturday, 14 December 2019. The final date and time will be determined based on the preference of a

majority of Blueback Base members. Additional details will be forthcoming. Commander Long is asking for

a volunteer to assist Jay in planning this year’s event; if you’re interested, please let Commander Long

know as soon as possible.

• Chief of the Boat Arlo Gatchel provided an update on the commissioning of the future USS Oregon (SSN-

793) and the efforts of the Commissioning Committee. Progress is being made on the committee’s web

site. The ship’s hull is nearing completion. The ship’s christening ceremony is tentatively expected to occur

sometime around the September-October, with commissioning expected sometime around December

2020.

Venting Sanitary Inboard – Page 6

BLUEBACK BASE MEETING MINUTES (Continued from Page 6)

• Base Commander Bill Long announced that the starting time for the May 2019 meeting (Thursday, 9 May

2019) will be 1830 vice the normal starting time of 1900. Please annotate your calendars accordingly.

50/50 Break

New Business:

• The Blueback Base will host a Movie Matinee at the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles, Oregon on

Saturday, 9 March 2019 at 1330. The featured film will be the 2018 submarine drama-thriller “Hunter-Killer”

starring Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman. Popcorn and cookies will be provided for the residents. All Base

members are encouraged to participate in what will undoubtedly be a fun event for all.

• The USSVI Western Region Roundup will be held in Laughlin, Nevada from 25 to 28 March 2019; click on the

link to view this year’s agenda, see additional details, and obtain a registration form.

• OMSI will be hosting a lecture and book signing with OMSI volunteer and author Jonathan Li-Chung Leung

on Sunday, 28 April 2019 from 1300 to 1400 (auditorium doors open at 1230). Signed copies of Jonathan’s

book, Standing Watch: America’s Submarine Veterans Remember the Cold War Era, will be available for

purchase in the OMSI Science Store. Admission is free.

• Retired Navy Commander and submarine author Rick Campbell will be providing the Base with a signed

copy of his 2017 book, Blackmail. The book will be offered at the Silent Auction at this year’s Christmas

party.

• A motion was made, seconded and passed to alter the Blueback Base meeting schedule as follows:

Beginning in November 2019 (when Daylight Savings Time ends), meetings will be held on the second

Saturday of the month beginning at 1300. The normal Thursday night meeting schedule will resume in

March 2020 (when Daylight Savings Time resumes). The Base will adhere to this schedule on a trial basis for

a minimum of one year.

50/50 Drawing: The winner of the 50/50 drawing was Scott Duncan; Scott won $13.00.

For the Good of the Order:

• Tudor Davis asks all Blueback Base members to support American Legion Post 124 in Beaverton, Oregon.

Post 124 sponsors many veterans-related community events and dedicates countless hours to supporting

the Beaverton Veterans Memorial Park. Post 124 has also been an avid supporter of the Blueback Base for

many years.

• Commander Long mentioned that Shipmate Tom Lindberg is dealing with some medical issues affecting his

eyes. Please keep Tom in your thoughts and prayers as he convalesces.

Benediction: Base Chaplain Scott Duncan

Meeting Adjourned: 2024

Sailing List: Aban; Brodie; Bryan; Daniels; Duncan; Gatchel; Long, W.; Musa; S.; Musa, W.; Turner; Vrooman;

Webb; Weston

Respectfully submitted,

Alan Brodie for John J. Perry

Secretary, Blueback Base

Venting Sanitary Inboard – Page 7

We recently received this letter from Dana Richardson in regards to her visit here last November.

Venting Sanitary Inboard – Page 8

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February 25, 2019

by Mark Episkopos

The second Lada-class submarine has been laid down and is set to undergo a series of trials over 2019, according

to Commander in Chief of the Russian Navy Vladimir Korolyov .

“Serial production of the non-nuclear Lada-class submarines continues. This year, testing will commence on the

second non-nuclear Lada-class submarine-- “Kronstadt,” which was laid down in September 2018,” announced

Korolyov.

Russian news outlet RT has obtained and published just under a minute of footage commemorating the occasion.

The clip features several close-up shots of the submarine-- Kronstadt-- afloat, in motion, and sitting in a floating

dock.

Venting Sanitary Inboard – Page 9

Kronstadt was introduced last year as the herald of a new era in Russian submarine design. As United

Shipbuilding Corporation President Viktor Chirkov put it, “this new submarine allows us to move forward in

executing the President’s orders concerning the construction of Russia’s new, modern submarine fleet.”

This sense of urgency in pushing out the Lada-class (Project 677) line comes into perspective considering the

current state of the Russian fleet. A great swathe of Russia’s submarine roster is occupied by the aging, Soviet

Kilo class that the Lada is meant to replace.

What separates the Kilo line from its Lada-class successor?

At first glance, nothing that would suggest a clear generational leap. Improved stealth characteristics and new

sonar radars are among the most apparent improvements, but these minor tweaks could have just as easily been

worked into a modernized Kilo line without the need to launch a new class. Meanwhile, the submarine-launched

3M-54 Kalibr cruise missiles serving as the centerpiece of Lada’s weapons suite are fully compatible with current

Kilo-class vessels.

As previously discussed by The National Interest , the Lada class is defined by one core feature: an Air

Independent Propulsion (AIP) system that purportedly generates half the system noise of a diesel-electric powered

Kilo submarine. According to Lada engineers, other AIP benefits include reduced displacement (vessel weight) of

around 25 percent and smaller crews. But after eleven years of development, Russian engineers have struggled to

develop and implement Lada’s hydrogen-oxygen AIP that converts diesel fuel into hydrogen energy.

But the first Lada vessel, Saint Petersburg, arrived with a standard diesel-electric engine and has since been

repurposed as a testbed for future submarine research and development. Unlike its Saint Petersburg counterpart,

Kronstadt will be transferred to the Russian Navy after its trial period; however, it too runs on a diesel-electric

engine rather than AIP technology. The manufacturer, Rubin Central Design Bureau for Marine Engineering, has

clarified that future Lada submarines will be laid down with a proprietary AIP system. It remains to be seen how--

or if-- AIP will be implemented on the heels of these initial setbacks, with the next Lada release scheduled for

2021.

Russian military experts agree that Project 677 cannot escape the shadow of the Kilo class and become the fresh

face a modernized Russian submarine fleet without its AIP system. This is apparently why the Kremlin has begun

to hedge their bets, supplementing the Lada project with a with a small Kilo modernization program expected to

yield two new submarines in 2020.

But what if AIP integration proves unfeasible, perhaps due to some combination of cost and quality-control

issues?

With the Borei and Yasen projects submarine projects aggressively competing for a slice of Russia’s naval budget, a

“deep” Kilo modernization may prove to be a cost-effective short term solution while the Russian Navy either re-

conceptualizes the Lada project or conceives a different line to succeed the Kilo class.

Venting Sanitary Inboard – Page 9

USSVI DUES

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Venting Sanitary Inboard – Page 8

-Please Welcome Aboard Donovan Farquar. He was a CS and initially qualified on the USS Santa Fe SSN 763

in December of 2008. Following the Navy he moved with his wife to Phoenix Arizona where he attended

trade school for motorcycles and diesels. His wife gave birth to their 2 sons while in Phoenix and in 2014 they

moved from Phoenix to Portland for work. Took a job as a mechanic on forklifts and he has been doing that

ever since. Hobbies are working on old cars, trucks, and motorcycles. He enjoys fishing and is interested in

hunting. Please reach out and show him our welcoming ways.

Ron Schumacher is battling cancer. Please keep Ron and his family in your thoughts.

Conwell • Delaney • Dennis • Durkee • Garriott • Johnson • Robbins • J. D. Tow • Tschopp •

Venting Sanitary Inboard – Page 10

Annual Membership National Blueback Base

One-Year Term $25 $15

Three-Year Term $70 $45

Five-Year Term $115 $75

Life Membership National Blueback Base

Age 45 and Under $500 $300

Age 46-55 $400 $250

Age 56-65 $300 $200

Age 66-75 $200 $150

Age 76 and older $100 $50

For the Good of the Order

BINNACLE LIST

M A R C H