Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Alfred Coffield | Sailors assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 6 ask questions to a group of middle...... read more read more
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NORFOLK, Va. (Oct. 21, 2019) – While the U.S. Submarine Force prides itself on being “On Scene, Unseen” across global waters, a group of submariners from Commander, Submarine Squadron 6 took a break recently to inspire a new generation to earn their dolphins.
The team spent the day meeting with more than 2,000 local fifth graders who were touring Navy grounds and learning about math and science at the annual Naval Station Norfolk 2019 Fleet Fest. The festival is free and open to the public offering ship tours, aircraft displays, military demonstrations and exhibits for science, technology, engineering and math—disciplines collectively known as STEM.
Despite not having a sub in port to display, the Submarine Force team drew eager eyes and open ears from the school kids, who puzzled over miniature submarine models while interacting with submarine officers and chief petty officers.
“If a submarine doesn’t have any windows, how do you think we make sure we don’t crash into something?” asked Chief Machinist’s Mate (Auxiliary) Samuel Kimbrough to one group of children gathered around the table.
“Echo location!” shouted one student. “That screen with the circles and dots on it?” questioned another.
“Yes, that’s right!” Electronics Technician, Submarine, Navigation 1st Class Matt Fagan said with a smile. “But do you know what it’s called? It is the same thing a bat or dolphin use to find their way around.”
“Is it sonar?” said a shy, shorter student, correctly answering the question.
The submariners also taught the kids about submarine missions, explained how a periscope works and asked the kids about their own interests.
“How many of you like math, taking things apart or working as part of a team?” Chief Fire Control Technician Lee Fraley asked to another group of children, most of whom responded by shooting their hands up, with Kimbrough joining in for fun. “Well, you’re all the exact type of people we want on a submarine.”
With the most modern and sophisticated attack submarines in the world, U.S. Submarine Forces can operate in both shore and deep ocean environments, and presents combatant commanders with a broad and unique range of operational capabilities.
They are flexible, multi-mission platforms designed to carry out the seven core competencies of the submarine force: anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, delivery of special operations forces, strike warfare, irregular warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and mine warfare.
“Having a team from Submarine Forces at the STEM exhibition was definitely an added bonus for the event. The kids loved their exhibit,” said Kelly Wirfel, Public Affairs Officer for Naval Station Norfolk. “Maintaining and operating a sub requires some of the Navy’s brightest and most hard working members and I am glad our students, teachers and administrators had the opportunity to see and experience that first hand.”
“The kids are so eager to learn, and often don’t consider a career in the Navy or as a submariner, so it is awesome watching the light bulbs go off when they interact with Sailors,” she said.
| Date Taken: | 10.18.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 10.23.2019 10:18 |
| Story ID: | 348835 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 79 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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