11 September 2015- On September 03, the US Pacific Fleet submarine force headquartered at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, a key component of the US Pacific Fleet forces, held a change of command ceremonies where Rear Admiral Philip G. Sawyer, outgoing Commander, Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, turned over the submarine force leadership to Rear Admiral Frederick J. Roegge.
Rear Admiral Sawyer will remain in Hawaii as deputy commander of the US Pacific Fleet. The Commander, Submarine Force reports to the Commander, US Pacific Fleet and to the Commander, US Strategic Command. The Pacific Submarine Force provides anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, precision land strike, and special warfare and deterrence capabilities to the US Pacific Command.
Philippine Consul General to Honolulu Gina Jamoralin, together with Consuls General from Japan, Australia, South Korea, were invited to the ceremony together with high level US military officials led by Admiral Scott Swift, Commander, US Pacific Fleet and Admiral Cecil Haney, Commander US Strategic Command and Hawaii State legislative officials.
In his remarks, Admiral Haney stated that, “The reach and endurance of our submarine force as part of our whole of government rebalance to Asia-Pacific is vital to regional stability, maritime security, the world’s economic engine and assuring our allies both in and beyond this region.” Haney also noted in his speech China’s efforts to assert regional dominance in the East China Sea and South China Sea, tensions in the Korean peninsula and assertive Russia.
The Submarine Force played a key role in military history starting with the deployment of F-Class boats in 1900s and entry into World War I and II. The Submarine Force also played key role during the Cold War, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. END