USS Alaska (SSBN 732) Blue and Gold crews were presented the Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC) for increased warfighting readiness that enhanced global and national security Feb. 23 in a ceremony on Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay.
According to the award citation from Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Maybus, Alaska was recognized for meritorious service from Oct. 2011 to Dec. 2013 during which the ship maintained superior weapons, navigation, and communications readiness, providing an invaluable asset for the strategic forces of the United States.
This resulted in back-to-back U.S. Strategic Command Omaha Trophies in 2011 and 2012 as the top ballistic-missile submarine in the nation’s SSBN force. The citation went on to mention the officers and crew who exemplify the ship’s motto of “Alert, Confident, Able,” how they have greatly contributed to the design for undersea warfare and the SSBN fleet’s combat patrol initiatives.
During this same timeframe, Alaska also earned back-to-back consecutive Battle Efficiency “E” awards as the best all-around SSBN assigned to Submarine Squadron 20.
The MUC was established by Former Secretary of the Navy John T. McNaughton in 1967 to be given to a unit for valorous or meritorious achievement.
Alaska is the fourth U.S. Navy ship to be named for the territory or state. The submarine is one of six Ohio-class SSBN’s homeported at Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, providing the survivable leg of the nation’s strategic deterrent forces.
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Image: US Navy