COMSUBLANT Unveils 2024 Battle “E” Champions

The prestigious Battle “E” competition, designed to evaluate and strengthen the warfighting readiness of naval forces, has announced its winners. This annual event recognizes exceptional command performance across various categories, emphasizing comprehensive crew readiness to execute combat missions.

Key winners in the COMSUBLANT Battle “E” category include the USS North Dakota, USS Virginia, and USS New Hampshire, representing different submarine squadrons. Additionally, the USS Florida and USS Tennessee were recognized in both BLUE and GOLD category performances, highlighting their consistent excellence within the CSS-16 and CSS-20 command structures.

Special recognition was awarded to the USS Hartford for its Shipyard Readiness, and Submarine Readiness Squadron 32 for their exceptional operational preparedness. Engineering prowess was acknowledged through the Red “E” awards, with vessels like the USS North Dakota and USS Hyman G. Rickover securing top honors.

The competition also highlighted superior achievements in specific operational domains. The White Weapons “W” awards recognized submarines such as the USS Cheyenne and USS Hyman G. Rickover for their strategic armament capabilities. The USS Tennessee earned the White Strategic “S” award, upholding its strategic excellence.

The Navigation Red and Green “N” awards went to submarines like the USS North Dakota, demonstrating navigational mastery. Cyber communication capabilities were celebrated with Green “C” awards, featuring the USS Cheyenne and USS South Dakota among top performers.

Electronic Warfare dedicated commendations, the Green “E” awards, highlighted vessels such as USS North Dakota and USS Hyman G. Rickover for their defensive strategies. Supply management excellence was awarded to submarines like the USS Texas and USS Oregon with Blue “E” distinctions.

Attention to personnel readiness was acknowledged through White “P” awards, honoring USS North Dakota and USS Montana among others. Medical readiness was also a significant assessment, with the USS Texas and USS Virginia receiving Yellow “M” commendations.

The introduction of the KMRC “K” award this year highlights submarine force-wide excellence in performance monitoring. Submarine Squadron 15, PMT Guam stood out for their support of fleet readiness. The PMR “P” award, recognizing top performance in periodic maintenance, was awarded to Submarine Squadron 12.

Vice Admiral Gaucher underscored the competitive nature of these awards, commending the dedication and expertise of every crew involved. The recognition serves as a testament to the Submarine Force’s crucial role in executing the Department of the Navy’s mission within the undersea domain, utilizing their unique advantages for strategic and combat purposes.