Submarine Squadron 15
| Submarine Squadron Fifteen | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1963–1981, 2001-present |
| Country |
 United States of America
|
| Branch |  United States Navy |
| Part of | United States Pacific Fleet |
| Garrison/HQ | Naval Base Guam |
Submarine Squadron 15 (also known as SUBRON 15) is a squadron of submarines of the United States Navy based at Naval Base Guam.
Submarine Squadron Fifteen was established on 1 September 1963 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Four of the seven submarines scheduled for this Squadron were being built at the time and the submarine tender, USS Proteus (AS-19), was undergoing overhaul at the Charleston Naval Shipyard.
During the first few months, the Squadron established Headquarters at Pearl Harbor and laid groundwork for Polaris Operations in the Pacific. One of the most difficult tasks was establishing and executing the vast training program required for the Blue and Gold crews of each submarine. To meet this requirement, close cooperation with the officers in charge of various schools throughout the nation and Commanding Officers and crewmen of the submarines was necessary.
On 23 April 1964, USS Daniel Boone (SSBN-629) was commissioned at Mare Island, California. She then became the Squadron Flagship and the first Fleet Ballistic Missile submarine assigned to the Pacific Fleet. In the early dawn of 27 May 1964, Daniel Boone surfaced off Diamond Head, Hawaii, after completing a submerged transit from the mainland, and steamed into Pearl Harbor where she became the first Polaris submarine ever to enter the historic port. As she passed the Arizona Memorial, she rendered honors to the Navy heroes resting there. USS Tecumseh (SSBN-628), USS ULYSSES S. GRANT (SSBN 631), and USS STONEWALL JACKSON (SSBN 634) were then commission in rapid sequence. Meanwhile the Squadron scheduled shakedown operations, type training and made ready for the first Polaris Patrol in the Pacific scheduled to commence in early 1965.
In October 1964, the permanent assignment of Commander Submarine Squadron Fifteen was changed from Pearl Harbor to Guam. A rear echelon Staff known as Commander Submarine Squadron Fifteen Representative was established in Pearl Harbor to handle the myriad of personnel and training functions connected with keeping the Polaris submarines manned with the best qualified and trained personnel possible.
On the morning of 29 November 1964, the USS PROTEUS (AS-19) entered Apra Harbor where she commenced setting up the third FBM replenishment site to support Polaris submarines. Subsequently, seven Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines joined USS PROTEUS (AS 19) in Guam. The USS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN (SSBN 640) and USS KAMEHAMEHA (SSBN 642) arrived in 1966. The USS MARIANO G. VALLEJO (SSBN 658) was commissioned and assigned to Submarine Squadron Fifteen in December 1966.
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