March 30, 2022 |
The USS Wyoming, named for the Cowboy State, made history this month. The 15 enlisted women serving aboard ballistic-missile class submarine became the first all-female crew to complete a 77-day “boomer” deterrent patrol.
Also known as SSBN 742, the Wyoming is nuclear-powered submarine is capable of launching ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads at enemy targets. The “SS” denotes submarine. The “B” denotes ballistic missile. The “N” stands for nuclear. The USS Wyoming’s silent signature allows it to make deep water runs undetected, making it a survivable deterrent in the event of first strike nuclear attack against the mainland.
On average, ballistic-missile submarines spend 77 days at sea, followed by 35 days in port for maintenance.
The completion of the deterrent patrol authorizes sailors to wear a “boomer” pin on their uniforms. This pin signifies the number of patrols they have completed in the careers.
The USS Wyoming home ports at the Naval Submarine Base at Kings Bay, Georgia.
After completing the recent three-month long boomer patrol, Chief Logistics Specialist Samantha Mincey spoke to Fox News there about the significance of an all female crew carrying out the historic mission.
Mincey, a native of Los Angeles, began her naval career aboard an aircraft carrier.
Women were first authorized to serve aboard submarines 12 years ago. While women comprise nearly one-fourth of the Department of Defense’s total force, only a small fraction of women serve on submarines. Enlisted women currently serve aboard four guided-missile submarines and one ballistic-missile submarine. In all, the U.S. Navy’s fleet includes 70 active submarines, including the Wyoming.
Learn more about the USS Wyoming: https://www.sublant.usff.navy.mil/SSBN742/
Pictured above: The enlisted women assigned to the Blue Crew of the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) stand in formation at the USS Bancroft static display outside the gate at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Ashley Berumen/Released.
