Region Legal Service Office Southeast (RLSO SE) personnel enjoyed the first ever “Kings Bay Day” gathering at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay (NSB Kings Bay) to learn about base-wide operations, ballistic nuclear submarines, and the assistance provided by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) in furtherance of the mission on July 21, 2017.
Lt. Aaron Martin, NSB Kings Bay staff judge advocate, organized “Kings Bay Day” to enlighten his shipmates about submarines, the base, and supporting operations. Upon arrival at the coast guard pier, RLSO SE junior officers, senior officers, enlisted Sailors, and interns met a USCG commander who briefed the group on day to day operations, including the USCG’s role in providing the essential security for assets entering and exiting the Saint Mary’s River. USCG cutters play a vital role in asset protection by getting underway ahead of the submarines and running interference between public boaters and Navy vessels to ensure there are no conflicts or threats in the immediate area.
The group was then escorted to the waterfront restricted area where the USS Alaska was moored for a tour. The 560’ SSBN has the capability of carrying 24 trident missiles as a survivable strategic deterrent and has a crew of 150 enlisted Sailors and 15 officers. Throughout the tour, RLSO SE personnel were able to see the control room, torpedo room, SONAR, crews mess, and berthing areas. Following the tour, the base Executive Officer, Cmdr. Eric Stein, provided an informative brief on the mission at NSB Kings Bay as well as historical background of the base. To conclude the day, RLSO SE personnel visited the trident D-5 missile display at the Strategic Weapons Facility, Atlantic (SWFLANT), to visualize the size and capabilities of the assets housed at NSB Kings Bay.
“Kings Bay Day” provided an opportunity to experience something that most of us had never encountered before,” said Lt. Molly Altes. She continued, “We have a new appreciation for submariners and USCG personnel, allowing us to better serve them in a legal capacity.”