Challenge Coin Magazine

Submarine Squadron 15 Cheif Coin

Written by Administrator Monday, 05 April 2010 08:02

During the Cold War Submarine Squadron 15 was stationed at its forward base at Agana, Guam, Marianas Islands, operating Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines. Commander, Submarine Squadron 15, with 7 officers and 13 enlisted personnel, relocated to Guam effective July 1, 2000. During the period of 1986-87, five U.S. Navy S upply vessels were home ported on Guam with a combined personnel force totaling nearly 2,000 sailors and officers. After recent Military down sizing, the only Navy vessel home ported on Guam is the USS Frank Cable with a crew of 400.

An 07 March 2000 memorandum from the Navy Department’s Office of Legislative Affairs states, "please be advised that the Navy is establishing Commander, Submarine Squadron 15 (COMSUBRON FIFTEEN), Guam. This action will be effective July 1, 2000." The recommendation to locate the sub command in Guam was made by CINCPAC (Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet) and then sent up the chain of command in the Pentagon. Establishing COMSUBRON 15 will improve the operational readiness of the Pacific submarine force and WESTPAC deployed submarines by exercising administrative and operation control over operations functions, logistics support, material readiness, shipboard training, and personnel.