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~The FReeper Canteen Presents~ Road Trip: Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia 
Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay is a base of the United States Navy located adjacent to the city of St. Marys in Camden County, in southeast Georgia. It is the Atlantic homeport for US ballistic missile submarines armed with nuclear weapons. The submarine base encompasses about 16,000 acres, of which 4,000 are protected wetlands. Military and civilian personnel, including contract personnel, number more than 9,000. 
Submarine Group 10 was commissioned January 1, 1989, and is the senior commander at Kings Bay. Group 10 is a subordinate command to Commander Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet. It exercises command over various commands and units assigned, including operational and administrative control of the Ohio-class submarines based at Submarine Base Kings Bay.
Group 10 is the local coordinating authority for all matters assigned by the submarine force commander and exercises direct control over the administration and training of submarine crews at Kings Bay. Specifically included in these responsibilities are the proper integration and coordination of the facilities dedicated to training support of the Trident system.
 Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic (SWFLANT) provides strategic missiles and strategic weapons system support to the fleet ballistic missile fleet. The command is responsible for assembling the D-5 missile and processing missile guidance and launcher subsystem components. Components are shipped to Kings Bay from more than 1,800 suppliers and subcontractors throughout the country.
The facilities include administration buildings, supply warehouses, a calibration laboratory, processing buildings (including two missile assembly buildings), two vertical missile packaging buildings (where the D-5 missile is made ready for delivery to the submarine), inspection buildings and explosive handling wharves (EHW). 
EHW-1, which is 144 feet tall, is the tallest building in Camden County and rises at its pinnacle 161 feet above the water. A second EHW was completed in 1994. In addition, SWFLANT has 66 missile motor magazines and four small ordnance magazines in its 800-acre complex for storage of rocket motors, missiles and other ordnance components.
Trident Refit Facility (TRF) is the largest tenant command at Kings Bay and has quietly and efficiently kept a significant portion of America’s submarine warfare capability at sea since 1985. TRF provides quality industrial and logistics support for the incremental overhaul, modernization, and repair of Trident submarines and also provides global submarine supply support. In addition, TRF provides maintenance and support services to other submarines, regional maintenance customers, and other activities as requested. 
TRF boasts the largest covered dry dock in the Northern hemisphere, measuring 700 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 67 feet deep. A state-of-the-art Magnetic Silencing Facility (MSF) provides degaussing services, including ranging and deperming for US Navy and Royal Navy submarines, as well as steel hull surface craft. The MSF is the only facility of its kind on the East Coast and is also used for research for development of future magnetic systems. The Defensive Ordnance Support Facility maintains and stores torpedoes carried by Trident submarines.
Learn More About Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay HERE!
Since its inception in the late 1800s, the submarine force has had a profound effect on America's war effort. The Confederate Navy sunk the USS Housatonic off of Charleston, SC during the Civil War. The Confederate Submarine was raised recently and is now being restored in Charleston, SC. 
During WWII American submarines sank over 50% the of enemy ships, despite the fact that they were manned by less than 2% of our sailors. They paid the price for our freedom today. And today's sub fleet is widely considered the most cost effective leg of our strategic defense system. More than 4,100 American submariners, and some riders, have paid the supreme price for our freedom today.
Located in historic downtown St Marys, GA, The St. Marys Submarine Museum is a great place to learn about the "Silent Service". A wide variety of Submarine artifacts, memorabilia and information are available for viewing, and you can checkout the beautiful St Marys waterfront through a real periscope.
Visit The St. Marys Submarine Museum HERE! FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT~Showing support and boosting the morale of our military and our allies military and the family members of the above. Honoring those who have served before.
Please remember: The Canteen is a place to honor and entertain our troops. The Canteen is family friendly. Let's have fun! We pray for your continued strength, to be strong in the face of adversity. We pray for your safety, that you will return to your families and friends soon. We pray that your hope, courage, and dignity remain unbroken, so that you may show others the way. God Bless You All ~ Today, Tomorrow and Always |
