The Atlanta Metropolitan Council Sponsors the USS GEORGIA (SSGN-729)
USS GEORGIA SSGN (729) (GOLD) CREW RETURNS FROM DEPLOYMENT
 KINGS BAY, Ga. - Six-year-old Kyra Urso runs into her father's arms Sept. 15 at the USS Georgia (SSBN 729) (Gold) homecoming ceremony at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. The Georgia gold crew arrived in Kings Bay after travelling for 34-hours from Diego Garcia
KINGS BAY, Ga. - Shareen Culbert hugs her husband, Lt. j.g. Jon Culbert, USS Georgia (SSGN 729) (Gold) chemical radiological assistant, Sept. 15 at the Ohio-class guided missile submarine's homecoming ceremony at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. The Georgia gold crew arrived in Kings Bay after travelling for 34-hours from Diego Garcia.
In June 2011, GEORGIA GOLD Crew completed a six month Advanced Homeport Training Period in Kings Bay, GA and conducted a forward deployed Exchange of Command with GEORGIA BLUE Crew in preparations for a forward deployment period to provide short notice strike, special operations forces delivery and retrieval and land attack operations in support of the the struggle against violent extremism.
GEORGIA GOLD crewmembers were recently awarded the Commander, Submarine Squadron Sixteen 2010 Deck Seamanship "D" for superior performance of duties in maintaining the ship mission ready.
Several hard charging crewmembers were recently awarded for qualifying in Submarine Warfare, selection as Sailors of the Quarter for 1st and 2nd Quarters 2011 and awarding of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for emergent repairs to vital ship's systems keeping GEORGIA on station.
GEORGIA GOLD continues its forward deployed posture, ready to support any mission tasking against enemies of the free world.
GO DAWGS!!
YNC(SS) Randy Murray
Leading Yeoman
USS GEORGIA (SSGN 729)(GOLD)
Navy Names First Sub Assignments For Women
By Kevin Baron, Stars and Stripes, 21 October 2010
ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Navy has announced the first four submarines that will accept 24 female officers beginning December 2011. Until then, crew "docs" are getting refresher courses on women’s health.
The first boats are the USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) and USS Georgia (SSGN 729), out of Kings Bay, Ga., and the USS Maine (SSBN 741) and USS Ohio (SSGN 726), from Bangor, Wash. The Trident boats are Ohio-class, nuclear powered, guided and ballistic missile submarines. Each has two crews, and each crew be assigned three female officers, according to a Navy release.
“Two of the women will be submarine officers, and the third female officer will be a warfare qualified supply officer,” said Lt. Rebecca Rebarich, spokeswoman for Commander, Submarine Group Ten, out of Kings Bay.
“They will be assigned to their first submarine duty station after completing training, which consists of nuclear power school, prototype training and the Submarine Officer Basic Course.”
The boats themselves are ready to accept women. “There’s no modification required,” she said, in an interview. “The accommodation is already there, as far as their berthing, or sleeping arrangement, and head,” referring to restrooms.
But crews are getting some special training to prepare for the changeover. The onboard Navy corpsman, who act as each crew’s only doctor, needs refresher courses on female health, Rebarich said.
Meanwhile, over the next year sub leaders including the commanding officer, executive officer, and chief of boat from all eight crews plan to visit Navy frigates, which parallel submarine demographics, to see how the surface fleet has successfully integrated women
New Commander at Georgia Gold's Helm
From Commander Submarine Group 10 Public Affairs, August 9, 2010
KINGS BAY, Ga. (NNS) -- Two days after returning from its maiden operational deployment as a newly converted SSGN, USS Georgia (SSGN 729) (Gold) held a change of command ceremony at the Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Aug. 9.
Capt. Michael W. Brown was relieved by Capt. Michael K. Cockey as commanding officer of the Georgia Gold crew.
Rear Adm. James F. Caldwell, commander Submarine Group 9, and Sheila McNeil, president of Camden Partnership, served as guest speakers.
"We demand a lot from this crew based on the way their operational cycle works. The crew has to be trained at home, before deploying, without the benefit of having the ship. Then, they deploy forward and within a few days of arrival they have to exchange command of the ship, go through a short maintenance period, and within days of getting underway complete certifications and sometimes major inspections that ensure their readiness. Then, [the crew] immediately deploy for operations at the tip of the spear," said Caldwell. "This is a daunting task and throughout it all this Georgia crew has excelled and it did under the steady hand on Capt. Mike Brown!"
Brown led the Gold crew through two crew exchanges during the 12-month deployment. Georgia's two crews, Blue and Gold, alternated manning the submarine for approximately three-month periods during the maiden deployment.
During his watch, the Georgia crew completed two arduous modernization periods, Naval Special Warfare Certification, and Pre-overseas Movement Certification that transformed his Sailors into a unified combat-ready crew. Georgia flawlessly delivered mission capability in Tomahawk strike, SEAL delivery operations, and battlespace preparation. Georgia earned the Commander, Submarine Squadron 16, 2009 Battle Efficiency award, or Battle "E," Engineering Red "E," Navigation Red and Green "N" and the 2008 Supply Blue "E."
"I've heard your crew say that there is no one they had rather serve under in a time of crisis. That is the true indication of a successful leader," said McNeil.
Brown remarked that the family and Sailors of Georgia are amazing.
"The American Sailor is America's hero. Every single day we have Navy Sailors and Navy families making sacrifices and doing the best they can to support our country. They do it for love of family and love of country with very little fanfare, very little recognition, very little salary, but they do it with a sense of pride and dedication."
Brown's next assignment will be with Commander, Submarine Forces in Norfolk, Va.
Cockey most recently served as senior member on Pacific Fleet Nuclear Propulsion Examining Board. His previous sea tours were aboard USS Birmingham (SSN 695), USS Tennessee (SSBN 734)(Blue), USS Providence (SSN 719), and commanding officer of USS Ohio (SSGN 726) during its refueling overhaul and SSGN conversion. Cockey, a native of Scituate, Mass., graduated with distinction from the United States Naval Academy in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
"This ship and her fine crews have kept America safe," said Cockey. "Your efforts have made her the fine warship that she is; you have performed superbly on difficult missions but many challenges lie ahead. I look forward to working with you."
Council VP Administration presents Capt Brown Certicate of Appreciation
New skipper takes command of USS Georgia Blue Crew
By Gordon Jackson
ST. MARYS - Because of national security, Navy Capt. Brian McIlvaine gave no details of what the crew of the USS Georgia had done on missions in the past two years. But in a farewell speech Wednesday, he explained the importance the boat and crew play in protecting the nation since a $1 billion renovation that was completed in 2008.
"This ship is a warship, designed to wreak havoc on the enemies of the United States," he said. "It is a lethal warship designed to use stealth to end the enemy's life before he even knows we are there. That is our mission, our role."
The Georgia is one of four Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines stripped of its arsenal of nuclear missiles, rearmed with Tomahawk cruise missiles and given a new mission. The four boats are basically fast-attack submarines on steroids because of their capacity to carry a full crew of sailors, special forces troops and enough firepower to battle any enemy.
McIlvaine, the boat's first commander after it was returned to service, was praised at Wednesday's change of command ceremony for his leadership.
"He has taken his ship in places just 10 years ago we wouldn't go," said Rear Adm. Barry Bruner, commander Submarine Group 10. "He's led his ship to the highest readiness. His leadership is absolutely phenomenal."
McIlvaine credited his crew for the accolades his boat has received, including top Navy awards for navigation, engineering and the coveted battle effectiveness title in demonstrating the highest level of readiness.
"They operate a pressurized water reactor at great depths with 105 cruise missiles with warheads on board," McIlvaine said. "There are tens of thousands of pounds of ammunition and explosives on the ship, not including the torpedoes carried in the torpedo room. And all American submariners in general - but these submariners in particular - do it with precision and skill."
'I'm ready to be relieved'
Guest speaker Sheila McNeill, former national president of the Navy League, said the Georgia's arrival at Kings Bay has energized an entire state.
"I don't think many Georgians knew of its existence until she came to Kings Bay," McNeill said.
"Having our namesake in the state has opened many eyes to the advantages of our submarines and the security they bring our nation."
Prior to relinquishing command, McIlvaine was awarded the Legion of Merit medal for his service aboard the Georgia. Afterward, he read his orders and told his replacement, Capt. Kelly McDowell, "I'm ready to be relieved."
McDowell read his orders, faced McIlvaine, and said, "You stand relieved."
McDowell said he was honored and humbled to captain the Georgia.
Having observed his crew in action, McDowell said, "I am very impressed by their level of talent, professionalism and teamwork that has produced outstanding results."
This tour of duty will likely end happier - at least for local residents - than the last time McDowell was a skipper at Kings Bay. He has the distinction of being the captain of the USS Louisiana when it permanently left Kings Bay for a new home port in Bangor, Wash., in August 2005.
He will deploy on the Georgia in early 2011 for a new mission.
"To command the Georgia is a unique opportunity," he said. "I'm certainly inheriting a good crew. Our effectiveness today prepares our leaders of the future."
gordon.jackson@jacksonville.com, (912) 729-3672
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