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By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda R. Gray Commander, Submarine Group 9 Public Affairs
The blue and gold crews of USS Alabama (SSBN 731) were presented the Omaha Trophy during a ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, Wash., Aug. 28. The Omaha Trophy, sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) and the USSTRATCOM Consultation Committee (SCC), is given annually to five outstanding units that represent USSTRATCOM’s mission areas, their role in global operations and USSTRATCOM’s continued emphasis on strategic deterrence. SCC member, Mr. Steven Martin, presented the award on behalf of the committee and the citizens of Omaha, Nebraska.
"Each year at this time, the Strategic Command Consultation Committee looks forward to recognizing the excellence demonstrated by the command’s finest strategic units," said Martin. "On behalf of my 22 Strategic Command Consultation Committee colleagues, we are honored to join STRATCOM in saluting your outstanding achievements as the command’s best unit in the area of ballistic missile submarine operations." In 2017, Alabama successfully completed three strategic deterrent patrols, totaling 238 days of at-sea operations, while achieving 100 percent strategic and navigation readiness in missions vital to national security. Alabama also received the 2017 Commander, Submarine Squadron 17 Battle Efficiency "E" Award.
"Alabama’s fighting spirit, their total dedication to teamwork and their excellent reputation for working well together, has contributed significantly to our successes in the past and we will leverage them for our future," said Cmdr. Jeffrey Yackeren, commanding officer of Alabama’s Blue Crew. "I am incredibly proud of your efforts on the deck plates every single day, at all levels of the chain of command and across all rates. Your desire to rise to the occasion and to knock down all challenges that come your way are motivational to me and I am very thankful to be part of the ship’s contribution." The Omaha Trophy, dating back to the U.S. Air Force’s Strategic Air Command, was originally created in 1971 by the Strategic Command Consultation Committee, who were an advisory group comprised of business leaders in the Omaha, Nebraska area.
Gen. John E. Hyten, commander of U.S. Strategic Command, took the opportunity to recognize Alabama’s hard work by assisting with the presentation of the trophy.
"Being selected as the finest ballistic missile submarine in the fleet is an awesome accomplishment, roll tide," said Hyten. "When you go to sea, you are the 6th most powerful nuclear power in the world. Every day you go out you defend our rights as a nation and as a people, and I love you for it."
Alabama is one of eight Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines homeported at Naval Base Kitsap-Bangor, providing the most survivable leg of the nation's strategic deterrent forces.
USSTRATCOM has global responsibilities assigned through the Unified Command Plan that include strategic deterrence, nuclear operations, space operations, joint electromagnetic spectrum operations, global strike, missile defense, and analysis and targeting.