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Arctic Submarine Lab

The official website of Arctic Submarine Lab

 

Leadership

Director, Arctic Submarine Lab – Mr. Howard Reese

Mailing Address

DIRECTOR UWDC DET ASL
140 Sylvester Rd.
San Diego, CA 92106-3521
 

Mission

The Navy's Arctic Submarine Laboratory (ASL) is a Fleet Support Detachment of Commander, Undersea Warfighting Development Center (UWDC).

ASL is the "Center of Excellence" for Arctic matters for the U.S. submarine force.

ASL is responsible for developing and maintaining expertise in Arctic specific skills, knowledge, equipment, and procedures to enable the submarine force to safely and effectively operate in the unique Arctic Ocean environment.

Expeditions

Arctic Submarine Lab - This is what we do
USS Hartford (SSN 768) surfacing through ice
Pioneering ICEX 2018
ICEX 2020 - Ice Camp Seadragon Set Up
Divers recover test torpedo during ICEX 2022
ICEX 2018 Start

Timeline

2020's


2024
Operation Ice Camp 2024:  Conducted dual-ship testing at Camp WHALE in the Arctic Ocean and unassisted North Pole Exercise (POLEX).

     -  USS HAMPTON (SSN-767), CDR Michael Brown, (Ryan Hopper, Jason Cooper, and 19)
     -  USS INDIANA (SSN-789), CDR Scott Bresnahan, (Brian Reed),

 
Arctic Transit:  conducted an inter-fleet transfer through the Arctic, surfacing at the North Pole (POLEX) enroute to Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor Hawaii, for planned maintenance.

     -  USS COLORADO (SSN-788), CDR David Beam, (Tom Luna, Jason Cooper)

 
Historical Event:  Conducted the first ever Portuguese AIP Submarine operations in the marginal ice zone (MIZ) and pack ice in conjunction with Operation Brilliant Shield (NATO).

     -  NRP Arpão (S-161), CDR Taveira Pinto, (Matt Pesce, Joe Hardy)
 
Historical Event:   SECNAV announces establishment of the Navy Arctic Service Medal (NASM) as an extension of the Navy Arctic Service Ribbon (NASR).
 
2023 Arctic Transit:  Conducted Inter-fleet transfer VIA the Northwest Passage in support of Operation NANOOK 23.

     -  USS SAN JUAN (SSN-751), CDR Alan Mardegian, (Brian Reed, Ryan Hopper)

Historical Event:  Operation Ice Camp.  The biannual exercise, ICEX, was officially designated an operation under U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM).  The first Operation Ice Camp was conducted in March 2024 at Camp Whale (OIC-24).
 
2022 ICEX 2022:  Conducted dual-ship testing at Camp QUEENFISH  in the Arctic Ocean and unassisted North Pole Exercise (POLEX).

     -  USS ILLINOIS (SSN-786), CDR. Daniel McNab, (Tom Luna, Jason Cooper, and 19)
     -  USS PASADENA (SSN 752), CDR Sean Flanagan, (Brian Reed)
 
2021 Arctic Transit:  Conducted an inter-fleet transfer through the Arctic, surfacing at the North Pole (POLEX) enroute to decommissioning at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

     -  USS PROVIDENCE (SSN-719), CDR Michael McLaine, ( Tom Luna, Jason Cooper, and 19)
 
2020 ICEX 2020:  Conducted dual-ship testing at Ice Camp SEADRAGON in the Arctic Ocean and unassisted North Pole Exercise (POLEX).
 
     -  USS CONNECTICUT (SSN-22), CDR Aljilani (Joe Hardy, Scott Bawden, Kevin Searls, and Brian Reed)
     -  USS TOLEDO (SSN-769), CDR Castellano (Ryan Hopper, Brian Reed and 19)

2010's

 
2019 ​Arctic Transit:  conducted a single SSN ICEX transit.

   -  USS PITTSBURGH (SSN-720), CDR Deichler (Ryan Hopper and Joe Hardy)
 
2018 ICEX 2018:  Conducted three ship testing at ICEX 2018 at Ice Camp SKATE and the North Pole.

   -  USS CONNECTICUT (SSN-22), CDR Trask (Ryan Hopper and Kevin Searls)
   -  USS HARTFORD (SSN-768), CDR Fanning (Joe Hardy)
   -  HMS TRENCHANT (S91), CDR Burrell (Matt Pesce)
 
2016 ICEX 2016:  Conducted dual-ship testing  at Ice Camp SARGO and the North Pole.

   -  USS HAMPTON (SSN-767), CDR Davis (Kevin Searls, Travis King, and Joe Hardy)
   -  USS HARTFORD (SSN-768), CDR Aydt (Ryan Hopper, Randy Ray, and Joe Hardy)
 
2014 ICEX 2014: Conducted dual-ship testing at Ice Camp Nautilus and the North Pole.

   -  USS NEW MEXICO (SSN 779), CDR Moore (Ryan Hopper, Travis King and , Kevin Searls)
   -  USS HAMPTON (SSN 767), CDR Reifsteck (Howard Reese, Travis King, and Kevin Searls
   
 
2012 Arctic Transit: Conducted a single SSN ICEX transit.

   -  USS TOPEKA (SSN 754), CDR Belz (Randy Ray, Kevin Searls, and Ryan Hopper)
 
2011 ICEX 2011:  Conducted dual-ship testing in 2011 Ice Camp APLIS and the North Pole.

   -  USS CONNECTICUT (SSN 22) ,CDR Varney (Travis King and Howard Reese)
   -  USS NEW HAMPSHIRE (SSN 778), CDR McGunnigle (Matt Pesce, and Kevin Searls)
 
2010 Historical Event:  The SCICEX Phase II Science Plan is approved to facilitate the collection of scientific data by submarines using Science Accommodation Mission (SAM) opportunities.

2000's

2009 Mr. Larry Estrada assumes the duties as Director, Arctic Submarine Lab.

USS ANNAPOLIS (SSN 760), CDR Michael O. Brunner (Eddie Wills and Ryan Hopper) and USS HELENA (SSN 725), CDR Daniel J. Brunk (Travis King, Matt Pesce, and Ryan Hopper), conducted dual-ship testing in Arctic at ICEX 2009 Ice Camp.

USS ANNAPOLIS (SSN 760) went on to surface at the North Pole to commemorate the 109th Birthday of the United States Submarine Force, the 100th Anniversary of Admiral Peary's and Mathew Henson's expedition to the North Pole.

USS TEXAS (SSN 775),CDR Robert A. Roncska (Travis King), conducted first cold-water/Arctic testing for the Virginia Class and POLEX.
   
2008 USS PROVIDENCE (SSN 719), CDR Michael Holland (Eddie Wills and Matt Pesce), conducted inter-fleet transfer transiting through the Arctic, surfacing at the North Pole to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the historic transit of USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571) in 1958.

CDR Edward L. Hasell transfers. The Officer in Charge billet is officially reverted back to a civilian Director position.

ASL reorganized as a Detachment under Submarine Force US Pacific Fleet.
 
2007 USS ALEXANDRIA (SSN 757), CDR Mike Bernacchi (Travis King), and HMS TIRELESS (S 88), Cdr Iain Breckenridge (Eddie Wills), conducted testing in Arctic at ICEX 2007 Ice Camp. Portions of "Stargate: Continuum" was filmed at ICEX 2007.

USS CONNECTICUT (SSN 22), CDR Daniel Christofferson (Travis King and Dan Steele), conducted inter-fleet transfer transiting through the Arctic.
 
2006 USS Santa Fe (SSN 763), CDR Steve Perry (Barry Campbell and CDR Ed Hasell), conducted inter-fleet transfer transiting through the Arctic.

USS Seawolf (SSN 21), CDR Robert S. Hopkins (Dan Steele), conducted inter-fleet transfer transiting through the Arctic.

USS Boise (SSN 764), CDR Rodney Mills (Travis King and Dan Steele), conducted inter-fleet transfer transiting through the Arctic.
 
2005 USS Memphis (SSN 691), CDR B. Merz (Dan Steele), twice conducted inter-fleet transfer transiting through the Arctic.

USS Charlotte (SSN 766), CDR Dennis E. Carpenter (Travis King), conducted inter-fleet transfer transiting through the Arctic and surfacing at the North Pole.

CDR Edward L. Hasell relieved CAPT Stephen Z. Kelety as OIC, ASL.

USS SALT LAKE CITY (SSN 716), CDR Tracy L. Howard (Barry Campbell, Eddie Wills, and Travis Major), conducted inter-fleet transfer transiting through the Arctic.
 
2004 USS HAMPTON (SSN 767), CDR Robert P. Burke (Dan Steele), and HMS TIRELESS (S 88), CDR Phillip J. Titterton (Barry Campbell), conducted first multi-national North Pole surfacing since 1991.

CAPT Stephen Z. Kelety relieved CAPT Tom A. Hawkins as OIC, ASL.

USS ALEXANDRIA (SSN 757), CDR Thomas J. Kearney (Al Hayashida), conducted inter-fleet transfer transiting through the Arctic.

USS OKLAHOMA CITY (SSN 723), CDR Chris Williams (CAPT Stephen Z. Kelety and Travis King), conducted inter-fleet transfer transiting through the Arctic.
 
2003 USS CONNECTICUT (SSN 22), CDR Robert E. Clark II (Alan Hayashida), conducted testing in Arctic at ICEX 2003 Ice Camp.

USS HONOLULU (SSN 718), CDR Charles Harris (Dan Steele and Travis King), conducted first high-Arctic operations by first-flight 688 and first first-flight 688 to reach the North Pole.
 
2002 CAPT Tom A. Hawkins relieved CAPT Jeffrey A. Fischbeck as OIC, ASL.

Removed the U-505 Periscope from Battery Whistler.

USS CONNECTICUT (SSN 22), CDR Robert E. Clark II (CAPT Tom Hawkins, Alan Hayashida, and Randy Ray), conducted testing in Arctic.
 
2001 USS SCRANTON (SSN 756), CDR C. Earl Carter (Jeffrey Gossett), and USS CONNECTICUT (SSN 22), CDR Frederick J. "Fritz" Roegge (Alan Hayashida and Charles Johnson), conducted operations in the Arctic which included the first SSN 688I Class submarine to surface at the North Pole and the first Arctic operations by a SSN 21 Class submarine.

USS OKLAHOMA CITY (SSN 723), CDR Jamie Foggo, conducted testing in the Arctic (Dan Steele).
 
2000 USS SAN FRANCISCO (SSN 711), CDR David J. Kern, conducted operations in the Arctic (Alan Hayashida and Randy Ray).

USS L. MENDEL RIVERS (SSN 686), CDR David A. Portner, conducted operations in the Arctic (Jeffrey Gossett, Travis King and Randy Ray).

ASL vacated Bldg 633, Submarine Base, San Diego and relocated to Bldg 370, topside SSC, San Diego.

1990's

1999 USS MEMPHIS (SSN 691), CDR Mark R. Breor, conducted operations in the Arctic (Alan Hayshida)

USS HAWKBILL (SSN 666) - SCICEX 1999, CDR Robert H. Perry, conducted science cruise to the Arctic (Jeffrey Gossett and Randy Ray)

ICE CAMP LYON 1999 established north of Barrow, Alaska to support SCICEX 1999
   
1998 USS HAWKBILL (SSN 666) - SCICEX 1998, CDR Robert H. Perry, conducted science cruise to the Arctic (Jeffrey Gossett and Randy Ray)

USS BILLFISH (SSN 675), CDR James G. Stevens, conducted operations in the Arctic (Alan Hayashida)

ASL transfered all of the remaining buildings and facilities at Battery Whistler back to SSC

Dr. Waldo K. Lyon died, 84 years old

CAPT Jeffrey A. Fischbeck relieved CAPT MacNeill as OIC, ASL
 
1997 USS SAN JUAN (SSN 751), CDR Joseph P. Mulloy, conducted operations in the Arctic (Alan Hayashida)

USS PHILADELPHIA (SSN 690), CDR Douglas J. McEneny, conducted operations in the Arctic (Alan Hayashida)

USS ARCHERFISH (SSN 678) - SCICEX 1997, CDR Steve R. Kremer, conducted science cruise to the Arctic (Barry Campbell, Randy Ray, and Marshall Mosher)

ASL reorganized as a Detachment under Submarine Development Squadron FIVE

U.S. Navy Field Station (at Cape Prince of Wales) and other Alaska Facilities transferred to NUWC DIV KEYPORT for closure and ultimate return to the village of Wales, Alaska

ASL vacated Battery Whistler and relocated to BLDG 633 at the Submarine Base San Diego
 
1996 CAPT Kent V.L. MacNeill relieved CAPT Vidosic as OIC, ASL

USS SAND LANCE (SSN 660), CDR George H. "Bud" Baker Jr., conducted operations in the Arctic (Dan Steele)

USS POGY (SSN 647) - SCICEX 1996, CDR James T. Reilly, conducted 70 day science cruise to the Arctic (Jeffrey Gossett, Barry Campbell, and Mike Hacking)

USS SPRINGFIELD (SSN 761), CDR Russel C. Keller, conducted operations in the Arctic (Alan Hayashida)

U.S. Navy Field Station (at Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska) closed down (ending 45 years of continuous manning) and placed in standby condition

Dr. Waldo Lyon retired from civil service, with 55 years of service to the Navy
 
1995 USS CAVALLA (SSN 684) - SCICEX 1995, CDR Charles J. "Joe" Leidig, conducted 63 day science cruise to the Arctic (Jeffrey Gossett, Alan Hayashida and Dan Steele)

Three RTGs removed from atop Fairway Rock, Alaska and transferred to the Richland Consolidation Facility, Richland, Washington
 
1994 USS WHALE (SSN 638), CDR Kenneth S. "Scott" Pugh, conducted operations in the Arctic (Alan Hayashida)

USS PARGO (SSN 650), CDR Brian J. Wegner, conducted operations in the Arctic (Dan Steele)
 
1993 The cryogenic facilities at Battery Whistler are deactivated C

USS PUFFER (SSN 652), CDR Richard A. "Rick" Wright (Alan Hayashida) and USS SAN JUAN (SSN 751), CDR David L. Thomas (Jeffrey Gossett) conducted joint operations in the Arctic. USS SAN JUAN (SSN 751) conducted the first through-ice surfacing of a SSN 688I Class submarine

USS SPADEFISH (SSN 668), CDR Richard B. Williams, conducted operations in the Arctic (Barry Campbell)

USS PARGO (SSN 650), CDR Brian J. Wegner - conducted Science Ice Expedition (SCICEX) proof-of-concept cruise (Jeffrey Gossett and Dan Steele)

Dr. Waldo Lyon received the Bushnell Award by Undersea Warfare Division of the American Defense Preparedness Association

CAPT Richard P. "Dick" Vidosic relieved CAPT Scott as OIC, ASL

Navy and science community signed MOA to support five SCICEX cruises
 
1992 ASL re-organized as a Detachment under Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Keyport Division

CAPT Bruce B. Scott established as Officer in Charge, ASL

USS GRAYLING (SSN 646), CDR Robert P. Dunn (Alan Hayashida and Dan Steele) conducted operations in the Arctic

USS SPADEFISH (SSN 668), CDR Richard B. Williams, conducted operations in the Arctic (Jeffrey Gossett)

HMS TRENCHANT (S 91), CDR Shawn Turner, conducted operations in the Arctic (Barry Campbell)

USS PINTADO (SSN 672), CDR Gary L. Graf, conducted operations in the Arctic (LT Randy Ray and Dan Steele)

USS ALBANY (SSN 752), CDR Frank Murphy, conducted first under-ice operations by SSN 688I class submarine (Jeffrey Gossett)
 
1991 Pool operated for the final time, supporting SSN-21 sail testing

*CDR Bruce B. Scott relieved CAPT Armitage as Director, ASL

*USS PARGO (SSN 650), CDR David Hearding (Jeffrey Gossett and Barry Campbell) and HMS TIRELESS (S 88), CDR Timothy P. McClement (Alan Hayashida) conducted joint operations in the Arctic

*USS ASPRO (SSN 648), CDR John A. "Andy" Borchart, (LT Randy Ray) and USS TAUTOG (SSN 639), C.O. unknown, (LCDR Jamie Acker) conducted operations in the Arctic

*USS SEAHORSE (SSN 669), CDR James R. Alley, conducted operations in the Arctic (LT Randy Ray)
 
1990 Rod A. McLennan relieved Dr. M. Allan Beal as Technical Director, ASL (Dr. Beal retires)

USS GURNARD (SSN 662), CDR William F. Espinoza (Jeffrey Gossett and Barry Campbell) and USS SEAHORSE (SSN 669), CDR Paul E. Taylor (Alan Hayashida) conducted joint operations in the Arctic

USS PUFFER (SSN 652), CDR Tom G. Kyle, conducted operations in the Arctic (LT Randy Ray)

1980's

1989 CAPT Charles E. Armitage relieved CAPT Dorman as Director, ASL

USS STURGEON (SSN 637), CDR David P. Cocolin, conducted operations in the Arctic (Jeffrey Gossett)

HMS TIRELESS (S 88), CDR Timothy P. McClement, conducted operations in the Arctic (Don Stevens)

USS SILVERSIDES (SSN 679), CDR David O. Samples, conducted operations in the Arctic (Barry Campbell and LT Randy Ray)

USS AUGUSTA (SSN 710), CDR James W. Angelo, conducted operations in the Arctic (Alan Hayashida)
   
1988 USS LAPON (SSN 661), CDR John J. Mackin, conducted operations in the Arctic (Jeffrey Gossett)

USS ARCHERFISH (SSN 678), CDR Siegfried L. Shalles, conducted operations in the Arctic (Alan Hayashida)

HMS TURBULENT (S 87), CDR Ian S.H. Richards, conducted operations in the Arctic (CDR Carl Wales)

HMS SUPERB (S 109), CDR John F. Tuckett, conducted operations in the Arctic

USS QUEENFISH (SSN 651), CDR Charles L. Joslin III, celebrated 30th anniversary of OPERATION SUNSHINE by retracing 1958 USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571) transpolar crossing (Barry Campbell)
 
1987 USS BILLFISH (SSN 676), CDR F. Terry Jones (Jeffrey Gossett), USS SEA DEVIL (SSN 664), CDR Dennis A. Napior (Douglas Shaefer), and HMS SUPERB (S 109), CDR James Collins (Don Stephens), conducted the first multi-national 3-ship rendezvous at the North Pole

USS PINTADO (SSN 672), CAPT Richard P. "Dick" Vidosic, conducted operations in the Arctic (Barry Campbell)

USS L. MENDEL RIVERS (SSN 686), CDR Mario J. Bagaglio, conducted operations in the Arctic (LCDR Roy Eyman)
 
1986 USS ARCHERFISH (SSN 678), CDR Michael G. Riegel (Alan Hayashida), USS RAY (SSN 653), CDR Steve A. Johnson (Dr. Greg Dreyer), and USS HAWKBILL (SSN 666), CDR Stephen A. Arndt (Jeffrey Gossett and Douglas Shaefer), conducted the first 3-ship rendezvous at the North Pole

USS SEAHORSE (SSN 669), CDR Wynn A. Harding, conducted operations in the Arctic (Don Stephens)

USS FINBACK (SSN 670), CDR Robert H. "Rocky" English, conducted operations in the Arctic (Alan Hayashida)
 
1985 Dr. Waldo Lyon received the Royal Institute of Navigation, Bronze Medal

USS TREPANG (SSN 674), CDR Raymond D. Woolrich, conducted operations in the Arctic (Richard Boyle and Alan Hayashida)

USS SEA DEVIL (SSN 664), CDR Richard Mies, conducted operations in the Arctic (Don Stephens)

USS QUEENFISH (SSN 651), CDR James R. Harvey, (Jeffrey Gosset and LCDR Bob Pohtos) and USS ASPRO (SSN 648), CDR Michael D. Martin, (Dr Greg Dreyer and Barry Campbell) conducted joint surfacing at the North Pole

CAPT Merrill H. Dorman relieved CAPT Sabol as Director, ASL
 
1984 CAPT Ernest J. "Jack" Sabol Jr. relieved Dr. Waldo Lyon as Director ASL.

Dr. Lyon established as Chief Scientist and Dr. M. Allan Beal established as the Technical Director.

Dr. Waldo Lyon received Meritorious Senior Executive Service Presidential Rank Award

USS GRAYLING (SSN 646), CDR William A. "Bill" Evans, conducted operations in the Arctic (LCDR Carl Wales and Bob Vachon)

USS SPADEFISH (SSN 668), CDR George P. Bardsley, conducted operations in the Arctic (Richard Boyle, LCDR Carl Wales, Don Stephens, and Rod McLennan)

USS GURNARD (SSN 662), CDR Cliff A. Wiese (Jeffrey Gossett and Bob Vachon) and USS PINTADO (SSN 672), CDR Richard P. "Dick" Vidosic (Dr. Greg Dreyer) became 3rd pair of submarines to conduct rendezvous at the North Pole. CDR (later CAPT) Vidosic served as Director of Arctic Submarine Laboratory 1995-96
 
1983 Dr. Waldo Lyon received the Societe de Geographie, Paris, Silver Medal

Dr. Waldo Lyon received the Ville de Paris, Silver Medal

USS L MENDEL RIVERS (SSN 686), CDR H.W. Holden, conducted operations in the Arctic (Dr Greg Dreyer and CAPT Ernest J. "Jack" Sabol)

USS TAUTOG (SSN 639), CDR Thomas R. Kent, conducted operations in the Arctic, 3rd ship to surface twice at the North Pole (Richard Boyle, LT Carl Wales, Rod McLennan, and Bob Vachon). First employment of APEX II.

USS WHALE (SSN 638), CDR J.E. Welsch, conducted operations in the Arctic
 
1982 USS ASPRO (SSN 648), CDR F.P. "Gus" Gustavson, (Richard Boyle and Dr. Greg Dreyer) and USS TAUTOG (SSN 639), CDR Philip G. Klintworth, conducted first 2-ship winter rendezvous at the North Pole
 
1981 USS SILVERSIDES (SSN 679), CDR Merrill H. Dorman, operated in the Arctic Ocean (Dr. W.K. Lyon, Richard Boyle, and Rod McLennan). Last under-ice mission made by Dr. Lyon. CDR (later CAPT) Dorman served as Director of Arctic Submarine Laboratory 1985-89.

Sonar development group established at ASL

Two additional RTGs placed atop Fairway Rock, Alaska to supplement electrical needs of environmental instrumentation

1970's

1979 *USS ARCHERFISH (SSN 678), CDR Galen R. Plummer, operated in the Arctic Ocean (Dr. W.K. Lyon and Richard Boyle)
   
1978 USS PINTADO (SSN 672), CDR J.J. "Jack" McDonald, operated in the Arctic Ocean (Dr. W.K. Lyon and Richard Boyle)
 
1977
NELC and the Naval Undersea Center (from Pasadena) are merged to form the Naval Ocean Systems Center (NOSC)

USS FLYINGFISH (SSN 673), CDR Thomas A. Meinicke, operated in the Arctic Ocean (Dr. W.K. Lyon and Richard Boyle)
 
 
1976 USS GURNARD (SSN 662), CDR Ralph W. West Jr., operated in the Arctic Ocean (Dr. W.K. Lyon, Richard Boyle, and Terry Luallin)
 
1975 USS BLUEFISH (SSN 675), CDR Frank B. Kelso II, operated in the Arctic Ocean (Dr. W.K. Lyon, Richard Boyle, and John Fransdal)
 
1974 The Sea Ice Model Basin and cryogenic facilities at Battery Whistler are completed
 
1973 USS HAWKBILL (SSN 666), CDR Thomas E. Ross, operated in the Bering Sea (Dr. W.K. Lyon and Richard Boyle)

USS SEADRAGON (SSN 584), CDR Thomas Jacobs, operated in the Arctic Ocean
 
1971 USS SKATE (SSN 578), CDR David A. Phoenix, operated in Arctic Ocean

USS TREPANG (SSN 674), CDR D.R. Sackett, operated in Arctic Ocean (Walt Wittmann)
 
1970 USS QUEENFISH (SSN 651), CDR Alfred S. "Fred" McLaren, celebrated 12th anniversary of USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571) cruise by retracing original track (Richard Boyle and Dr M. Alan Beal)

USS HAMMERHEAD (SSN 663), CDR Powell F. Carter, (Dr. W.K. Lyon and Richard Boyle) and USS SKATE (SSN 578), CDR David A. Phoenix, conduct joint exercises in Arctic Ocean

1960's

1969
  USS WHALE (SSN 638), CDR William M. Wolff, operated in the Arctic Ocean and first SSN 637 Class submarine to surface at the North Pole, 60 years to the day after ADM Peary arrived there (Dr. W.K. Lyon and Richard Boyle)

USS PARGO (SSN 650), CDR Steven A. White, conducted operations in the Arctic (Walt Wittmann)

USS SKATE (SSN 578), CDR David A. Phoenix, conducted operations in the Arctic (John Fransdal)

The facilities at Battery Whistler are formally renamed the "Arctic Submarine Laboratory" and Dr. Lyon is named its first Director.

Arctic Experimental Pool used as a modeling basin for the Coast Guard and North Slope oil project - oil tanker MANHATTAN

Dr. Waldo Lyon received the Presidential Unit Citation for USS WHALE deployment
   
1968 NCCCLC is re-organized and becomes the Naval Electronics Laboratory Center (NELC)
 
1967
NEL is re-organized and becomes the Naval Command, Control and Communications Laboratory Center (NCCCLC)

USS QUEENFISH (SSN 651), CDR Jackson B. Richard, operated in Davis Strait, the first SSN 637 Class submarine under ice (Dr. W.K. Lyon and Richard Boyle)
 
1966 First Radio-isotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) is placed atop Fairway Rock, Alaska powering environmental instrumentation
 
1963 USS SKATE (SSN 578), CDR C. F. Rauch, Jr., operated in Cabot Strait

USS BECUNA (SS 319), CDR Robert Anderson, operated in Cabot Strait

USS TENCH (SS 417), C.O. unknown, operated in Cabot Strait
 
1962 USS SKATE (SSN 578), CDR Joseph L. Skoog, (Richard Boyle), USS ENTEMEDOR (SS 340), C.O. unknown, USS TUSK (SS 426), C.O. unknown, operated in Cabot Strait

USS SKATE (SSN 578), CDR Joseph L. Skoog (Dr. W.K. Lyon and Richard Boyle), and USS SEADRAGON (SSN 584), CDR Charles D. Summitt, (Walter Wittman) conducted the first rendezvous of 2 ships at the North Pole

Dr. Waldo Lyon received President's Distinguished Federal Civilian Service Award, presented by President John F. Kennedy
 
1961 USS BECUNA (SS 319), CDR Robert Flood, operated in Cabot Strait

USS DOGFISH (SS 350), CDR James D. Kearney, operated in Cabot Strait

USS HALFBEAK (SS 352), CDR J. P. Holland, operated in Cabot Strait
 
1960 USS SARGO (SSN 583), LCDR John H. Nicholson, conducted first winter transit of Bering Strait, explored Chukchi and Beaufort Sea and surfaced at North Pole (Dr. W.K. Lyon and Arthur Roshon)

USS SEADRAGON (SSN 584), CDR George P. Steele, conducted first submerged transit of the Northwest Passage (Dr. W.K. Lyon, Arthur Roshon, Walter Wittman, and Arthur Molloy)

USS TUSK (SS 426), C.O. unknown (John Amarol), USS BANG (SS 385), C.O. unknown, and USS TENCH (SS 417), LCDR Mills, conducted a joint exercise in the Gulf of St. Lawrence

1950's

1959 USS SKATE (SSN 578), CDR James F. Calvert, conducted first through-ice surfacing at the North Pole (Dr. W.K. Lyon)

USS TROUT (SS 566), LCDR C.H. Blair, operated in Cabot Strait, setting a record for distance traveled under ice for a diesel-electric submarines

USS HARDER (SS 568), LCDR E.W. Cooke, operated in Cabot Strait

Arctic Submarine Experimental Pool and Cryogenic Facilities at Battery Whistler completed
   
1958 USS HALFBEAK (SS 352), CDR George M. Wolf, operated in the Denmark Strait and Greenland Sea

USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571), CDR William R. Anderson, SUNSHINE I - made first attempt at a trans-polar crossing but aborted due to heavy ice in the Bering Strait (Dr. W.K. Lyon and Rexford Rowray)

USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571), CDR William R. Anderson, SUNSHINE II - conducted the first trans-polar crossing and included first use of inertial navigation system (Dr. W.K. Lyon and Archie Walker)

USS SKATE (SSN 578), CDR James F. Calvert, operated in the Arctic Ocean and conducted first surfacing in open-water polynyas (Dr. E.C. LaFond and Walt Wittmann)

Dr. Waldo Lyon received the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award, presented by Secretary of the Navy T.S. Gates

Dr. Waldo Lyon received the Presidential Unit Citation for NAUTILUS (SUNSHINE II)
 
1957
USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571), CDR William R. Anderson, operated in the Greenland Sea and Arctic Ocean.
Gyrocompass failure at 87 North forced mission termination before reaching the North Pole (Dr. W.K. Lyon)

USS TRIGGER (SS 564), LCDR L.D. Kelly Jr., operated near and under the ice pack (61 NM under ice canopy) in Northern Greenland Sea and Arctic Ocean escorting the USS NAUTILUS (SSN 571)
 
1956
Dr. Waldo Lyon received the Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award, presented by Secretary of the Navy C.S. Thomas

Dr. Waldo Lyon received the Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award, presented by Secretary of Defense C.E. Wilson
 
1953 USS REDFISH (SS 395), CDR J.P. Bienia, operated in the Beaufort Sea (Dr. W.K. Lyon)
 
1952 USS REDFISH (SS 395), CDR J.P. Bienia, operated in the Beaufort Sea (Dr. W.K. Lyon)

USS GREENFISH (SS 351), C.O. unknown

Construction begins on the "Submarine Research Facility" atop Battery Whistler
 
1951 U.S. Navy Field Station at Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska established
 
1950 USS PERCH (APSS 313), CDR Robert D. Quinn, and USS BARBERO (SS 317), C.O. unknown, conducted a joint reconnaissance patrol and simulated amphibious raid in Bering Sea

1940's

1949
  USS BAYA (ESS 318), CDR John D. Mason Jr., conducted joint U.S. - Canadian scientific expedition in the Bering and Chukchi Seas (Dr. W.K. Lyon, Arthur Roshon, and Rexford Rowry)
   
1948 Dr. Waldo Lyon acquired Battery Whistler, a coastal defense artillery battery completed in 1920 and declared obsolete in 1942

USS CARP (SS 338), CDR J.M. Palmer, operated in the Chukchi Sea (Dr. W.K. Lyon)
 
1947 USS BOARFISH (SS 327), CDR J.H. Turner, conducted first under-ice dives (Chukchi Sea) (Dr. W.K. Lyon)
 
1946 USS ATULE (SS 403), CDR John H. Maurer, operated in the Kane Basin in support of Operation Nanook

USS SENNET (SS 408), CDR J.B. Icenhower, Antarctic Ocean - conducted Operation Highjump (Dr. W.K. Lyon)
 
1945 NRSL and University of California Division of War Research merged to form the Navy Electronics Laboratory (NEL)

Dr. Waldo Lyon became head of the Subsurface Studies Branch in the Research Division

Mare Island Hydrostatic Pressure Vessel constructed

250 kVolt X-ray developed for observations of Bikini Atoll atom bomb tests
 
1941 Dr. Waldo K. Lyon arrived at Navy Radio and Sound Lab (NRSL) as first civil service physicist and as professional employee #13

*Dr. Waldo Lyon and LTJG Roger Revelle (Scripps Institute of Oceanography) formed the Sound Division

Arctic Operations Specialist - Ice Pilots

  01     Mr. Waldo Lyon     11     Mr. Eddie Wills  
  02 Mr. Dick Boyle     12   Mr. Matthew Pesce  
  03 Mr. Terry Luallin     13   Mr. Ryan Hopper  
  04 LT Carl Wales     14   Mr. Howard Reese  
  05 Mr. Jeffrey Gossett     15   Mr. Kevin Searls  
  06 Mr. Alan Hayashida     16   Mr. Joseph Hardy  
  07 Mr. Barry Campbell     17   Mr. Scott Bawden  
  08 Mr. Randy Ray     18   Mr. Brian Reed  
  09 Mr. Dan Steele     20   Mr. Thomas Luna  
  10 Mr. Travis King     21   Mr. Jason Cooper  
                
                
 
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