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Arctic Submarine Lab

The official website of Arctic Submarine Lab
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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.

Leadership


Director – Mr. Howard Reese

 

Timeline


1940's

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
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
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)
1947 *USS BOARFISH (SS 327), CDR J.H. Turner, conducted first under-ice dives (Chukchi Sea) (Dr. W.K. Lyon)
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)
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)

1950's

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
1951 *U.S. Navy Field Station at Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska established
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
1953 *USS REDFISH (SS 395), CDR J.P. Bienia, operated in the Beaufort Sea (Dr. W.K. Lyon)
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
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)
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)
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

1960's

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
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
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
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
1966 First Radio-isotope Thermoelectric Generator (RTG) is placed atop Fairway Rock, Alaska powering environmental instrumentation
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)
1968 *NCCCLC is re-organized and becomes the Naval Electronics Laboratory Center (NELC)
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

1970's

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
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)
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
1974 *The Sea Ice Model Basin and cryogenic facilities at Battery Whistler are completed
1975 *USS BLUEFISH (SSN 675), CDR Frank B. Kelso II, operated in the Arctic Ocean (Dr. W.K. Lyon, Richard Boyle, and John Fransdal)
1976 *USS GURNARD (SSN 662), CDR Ralph W. West Jr., operated in the Arctic Ocean (Dr. W.K. Lyon, Richard Boyle, and Terry Luallin)
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)
1978 *USS PINTADO (SSN 672), CDR J.J. "Jack" McDonald, operated in the Arctic Ocean (Dr. W.K. Lyon and Richard Boyle)
1979 *USS ARCHERFISH (SSN 678), CDR Galen R. Plummer, operated in the Arctic Ocean (Dr. W.K. Lyon and Richard Boyle)

1980's

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
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
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
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.
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
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)
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)
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)
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)

1990's

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)
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)
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)
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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

2000's

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.

*Robert M. Anderson, Technical Director, retires.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

2010's

2010 *The SCICEX Phase II Science Plan is approved to facilitate the collection of scientific data by submarines using Science Accommodation Mission (SAM) opportunities.
2011 *USS CONNECTICUT (SSN 22) ,CDR Varney (Travis King and Howard Reese) and USS NEW HAMPSHIRE (SSN 778), CDR McGunnigle (Matt Pesce, and Kevin Searls), conducted dual-ship testing in Arctic at ICEX 2011 Ice Camp and the North Pole.
2012 *USS TOPEKA (SSN 754), CDR Belz (Randy Ray, Kevin Searls, and Ryan Hopper) conducted a single SSN ICEX transit.
2014 *USS NEW MEXICO (SSN 779), CDR Moore (Ryan Hopper, Travis King and , Kevin Searls) and USS HAMPTON (SSN 767), CDR Reifsteck (Howard Reese, Travis King, and Kevin Searls), conducted dual-ship testing in 2014 Ice Camp Nautilus and the North Pole.
2015 *USS SEAWOLF (SSN-21), CDR Bierley (Matt Pesce, Ryan Hopper, and Joe Hardy) conducted a single submarine ICEX transit.USS SEAWOLF (SSN-21), CDR Bierley (Matt Pesce, Ryan Hopper, and Joe Hardy) conducted a single submarine ICEX transit.
2016​ *USS HAMPTON (SSN-767), CDR Davis (Kevin Searls, Travis King, and Joe Hardy) and USS HARTFORD (SSN-768), CDR Aydt (Ryan Hopper, Randy Ray, and Joe Hardy) conducted dual-ship testing  at ICEX  2016 at Ice Camp SARGO and the North Pole.
2018 ​*USS CONNECTICUT (SSN-22), CDR Trask (Ryan Hopper and Kevin Searls) USS HARTFORD (SSN-768), CDR Fanning (Joe Hardy) and HMS TRENCHANT (S91), CDR Burrell (Matt Pesce) conducted three ship testing at ICEX 2018 at Ice Camp SKATE and the North Pole.
2019 ​*USS PITTSBURGH (SSN-720), CDR Deichler (Ryan Hopper and Joe Hardy) conducted a single SSN ICEX transit.

2020's

2020 *USS CONNECTICUT (SSN-22), CDR Aljilani (Joe Hardy, Scott Bawden, Kevin Searls, and Brian Reed) and USS TOLEDO (SSN-769), CDR Castellano (Ryan Hopper, Brian Reed and Gus Schmidt) conducted dual-ship testing at ICEX 2020 at Ice Camp SEADRAGON and the North Pole.

Dr. Waldo Lyon


DR. Waldo K. Lyon

waldolyo
Dr. Waldo Lyon was the founder and chief research scientist of the Arctic Submarine Laboratory.
He retired in 1996 after 55 years of government service. During his career he advised top Navy officials on essential matters of national defense and was personally thanked by Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy for his efforts.

For 51 years, Dr. Lyon worked for Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego (SSC San Diego) and its predecessor organizations. Dr. Lyon started work there less than a year after its June 1940 establishment as the Navy Radio and Sound Lab, as their first Ph.D. physicist. He was charged with forming and directing initial efforts of the Sound Division. The lab was used during World War II for testing, repairing and modifying submarine equipment and harbor defense systems in the Pacific.

During the war, German U-boats in the Gulf of St. Lawrence were undetectable, because sonar failed under the surface ice. Dr. Lyon addressed this problem by designing and testing sonar and oceanographic equipment for the submarine USS BOARFISH (SS-327) and participating in the ship's first under-ice dives.

"In 1946 when Admiral Byrd took the expedition to Antarctica, I got a letter asking if there was any research I wanted to do in conjunction with the expedition. I said yes, try a submarine in the cold water down there," Dr. Lyon said. His recommendation initiated an effort that would last over four decades.

In 1947, with the merger of Navy Radio and Sound Laboratory and the University of California Division of War Research into the Navy Electronics Laboratory (NEL), Dr. Lyon became head of the Submarine Studies Branch in the Research Division.

Dr. Lyon had a test pool constructed at Battery Whistler (a converted mortar battery at NEL) to test equipment for deep submergence vehicles like Trieste. The pool was equipped to grow sea ice and study its physical properties. In addition, he established a field station at Cape Prince of Wales, Alaska in 1951.

Equipment and techniques were designed and tested to enable submarine operation in the Arctic. Brine content and ice elasticity were measured to apply in the design of submarines that could surface through the ice cover. Cold rooms and calibration facilities at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory were used to solve the problem of icing on submarine snorkel head valves. The research culminated in the transpolar submerged voyage of USS NAUTILUS in 1958.

Dr. Lyon's career included scores of under-ice cruises to gain scientific knowledge essential to Arctic submarine operations. He and researcher Art Roshon developed an under-ice sonar that allowed completion of the first winter cruise by USS STURGEON (SSN 637) Class submarines. Through the 1970s and 1980s Dr. Lyon's ongoing research at the Arctic Submarine Laboratory resulted in refurbishment and improvement of the Lab's cryogenic facilities. These facilities were used for evaluating icing issues on USS LOS ANGELES (SSN-688) class submarines, sonar technology developments for remote acoustic measurement of ice thickness, and the ice breakthrough tests for USS SEAWOLF (SSN-21) Class submarines.

Dr. Lyon received major awards including:

     *The Navy Distinguished Civilian Service Award (twice)
     *The Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award
     *The President's Distinguished Federal Civilian Service Award
     *He was a member of teams that earned the Presidential Unit Citation in 1958and 1969
     *He received the Navy Unit Commendation in 1959, 1960, 1962, 1970, 1973, 1975, 1976,1977,1978 and 1979.

He also received numerous non-governmental awards including:

      *Gold Medal of the American Society of Naval Engineers
      *Silver Century Medal of Societe de Geographie (Paris)
      *Bronze Medal of the Royal Institute of Navigation (London)
      *Bushnell Medal of the American Defense Preparedness Association
     *The Lowell Thomas Medal of the Explorer's Club of New York (only the fourth time this ;medal has been awarded)

Dr. Lyon remained active in arctic research even after retirement. He collaborated with Dr. William M. Leary on a book detailing development of the submarine arctic warfare program entitled, Under Ice: Waldo Lyon and the Development of the Arctic Submarine, published in January 1999. Less than two weeks before his death, he met with the president of the prestigious Explorer's Club to plan an expedition to the North Pole. They had planned to dive to the sea floor at the Pole. He passed away at the age of 84 on May 5, 1998. A memorial service was held on June 20, 1998 at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego. Per his family's wishes, Dr. Lyon's ashes were scattered at the North Pole by USS HAWKBILL on May 3, 1999.

Friends and colleagues of Dr. Lyon have established a memorial scholarship, administered by the UCLA Foundation, to be awarded to a deserving student in the Physics Department at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Dr. Lyon's alma matter.

 
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