define a follow-on system for Polaris and Poseidon. That system would become known as Trident. TRIDENT BASE BANGOR • 1969 CNO DIRECTED STUDIES TO In 1969, the CNO directed a study to determine the location for the first Trident submarine base. All possible locations were examined, a total of 89 sites on the Atlantic, Pacific, Gulf, and Caribbean coasts. The feasibility of conducting Trident submarine operations at each site was determined. After careful, deliberate study, four sites were identified for final consideration. One of those sites was Kings Bay, Ga. Each of the sites was given a detailed study. The costs, construction requirements, and environmental and economic impact were examined. As a result, Bangor, Wash. was selected as the site for the first Trident submarine base. This study would form a basis to answer a number of future questions. LOSS OF BASE AT ROTA, SPAIN One of those questions arose in 1975. The treaty of friendship and cooperation between Spain and the United States was renegotiated, and one of the provisions of that treaty was that the submarine squadron would leave Rota, Spain. This submarine squadron, Squadron Sixteen, then consisted of 10 Poseidon submarines. Senator HUDDLESTON. At the time the original study was made, was it anticipated that we might lose Rota? Commander JERDING. Pardon me, sir? Senator HUDDLESTON. At the time of the original study, was it anticipated that we might lose the base in Rota? Commander JERDING. At the time of the Bangor study, I do not think that was anticipated. As you recall, we were looking at Trident back in the 1960's, up through 1969. The change in the treaty came about in 1975. BASE TO ACCOMMODATE • 1975 CNO DIRECTED STUDIES TO DETERMINE ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS • CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING TRIDENT BACK-FIT • CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING RELOCATION OF • CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING TWO TRIDENT • 1976 KINGS BAY SELECTED AS PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE • 1978 SECNAV ANNOUNCED FINAL DECISION ON • 1979 ROTA SQUADRON RELOCATED TO KINGS BAY (CHART 8) In anticipation of the requirement to relocate the Rota squadron, CNO directed a study to determine an alternate site, but the study was not limited to relocating the Rota squadron. Additional requirements were also examined. SITE CAPABILITY FOR FUTURE REQUIREMENTS The capability of each site was evaluated to support Trident I backfit submarines. The Trident I missile attained its 4,000 mile range by carrying a more powerful propellant than the Poseidon missile and larger explosive safety arcs had to be considered for the new base. As a contingency, in case it should prove desirable to relocate the Holy Loch squadron, the capability of supporting that Holy Loch squadron there was evaluated. Looking to the future, the capability of supporting two Trident submarine squadrons was evaluated. Although the primary task was to determine a new site for the Rota squadron, these additional options were also carefully considered. After screening most of the sites from the Bangor study, plus some newly identified sites, Kings Bay was selected as the preferred alternative site for relocation of the Rota squadron. Then, following completion of the environmental impact statement, the Secretary of the Navy announced the final decision and construction began at Kings Bay, Ga. Finally, in July 1979, the Naval Submarine Support Base became operational at Kings Bay in support of Submarine Squadron Sixteen. It is in the background here, and it is a little hard to see. It is important to remember that during the study each of the sites was evaluated on its capability to support Trident squadrons. To complete that evaluation, in January 1978, the CNO directed the final stages of the study. The primary decision was the location of an east coast Trident base. Decisions were also required on locations of submarine support facilities. These facilities included those for Trident missile support, defensive weapons, training and housing. In completing the Trident base location study, the results of the Rota relocation study were carefully considered. The five finalists were evaluated: Mosquito Lagoon, Fla.; Kings Bay, Ga.; Charleston, S.C.; Cheatham Annex, Va.; and Narragansett Bay, R.I. Based on the study results and recommendations, the Secretary of the Navy announced in May 1979 that Kings Bay had been selected as the preferred alternative site for the location of the Atlantic coast strategic submarine base. The final selection awaits completion of the environmental impact statement as Admiral Iselin explained. The Secretary of the Navy also announced the support facility locations. These facilities in Charleston, for missile production and defensive weapons, were already in existence. The Kings Bay facilities would be the tender equivalent missile facility, which provides similar support functions of missile storage and handling that a tender would provide. The training and housing was selected for Kings Bay to minimize the crew transportation and maximize the time in homeport. In summary then, the Naval Submarine Support Base, Kings Bay, Ga., is operational now in support of Submarine Squadron Sixteen and it has been selected as the preferred site for the Atlantic coast strategic submarine base. Senator HUDDLESTON. Last year we went into some detail as to why the facilities could not have been consolidated at Charleston. Commander JERDING. Yes, sir. That was discussed. The existing Charleston facilities provided most of what was needed there to support Trident I missiles. Some small additions and changes had to be made to support the additional load of the Trident I missiles. That was much cheaper than rebuilding those facilities at Kings Bay. COMPARATIVE FACTORS BETWEEN ROTA AND KINGS BAY BASES Senator HUDDLESTON. From a strategic standpoint, what is the difference between having a base at Rota, Spain-although that is not an option available to us-and having one at Kings Bay? |