KINGS BAY, Ga. – A Maynardville, Tennessee, native is stationed at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, homeport to all East Coast ballistic-missile and guided-missile submarines.
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| Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Amanda Rae Moreno |
Petty Officer 2nd Class James Keel, a 2018 Union County High School graduate, joined the Navy three years ago.
Today, Keel serves as an information systems technician, whose responsibilities are operating and maintaining telecommunication systems, local and area networks, and micro-computer systems on the boat.
“I didn't like school, so I didn't think I would do well at college,” said Keel. “I worked with someone who joined the Navy and it sounded pretty cool, so I went in too and here I am.”
According to Keel, the values required to succeed in the military are similar to those found in Maynardville.
“I learned manners from growing up in a little tiny town,” said Keel. “You get familiar with the people in your community when you grow up in a small town. You learn Southern hospitality which has come in handy while learning rank and recognition and talking to my superiors and such.”
Known as America’s “Silent Service,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN).
Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare.
The Navy's ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as "boomers," serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. SSBNs are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles.
Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.
As a member of the submarine force, Keel is part of a rich 121-year history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in the defense of America and its allies.
Serving in the Navy means Keel is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy acts as a deterrence force,” said Keel. “We are known as a superpower in the world because our Navy is massive. We have boats and ships placed throughout the world just to let everyone know that we can be anywhere at any time.”
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through underwater fiber optic, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
A major component of that maritime security is homeported at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
“We do two big things here in King’s Bay: we send SSBNs on strategic deterrence patrols and we forward deploy our guided missile submarines overseas,” said Rear Adm. John Spencer, Commander, Submarine Group Ten. “This work is essential to uphold the number one mission of the Navy: strategic deterrence. And this is the only home port for both of these types of submarines on the East Coast.”
Strategic deterrence is the Nation’s ultimate insurance program, and for decades, Kings Bay has been home to Ohio Class SSBN ballistic-missile submarines. Beginning in 2028, the new Columbia Class ballistic-missile submarines will arrive and provide continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.
As Keel and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Because of service members like myself, my family can rest easy knowing they are safe,” added Keel. “I'm a big family man. My mom always wanted me to join. My family is super proud of my service and they sleep well at night knowing that I am serving.”
Today, Keel serves as an information systems technician, whose responsibilities are operating and maintaining telecommunication systems, local and area networks, and micro-computer systems on the boat.
“I didn't like school, so I didn't think I would do well at college,” said Keel. “I worked with someone who joined the Navy and it sounded pretty cool, so I went in too and here I am.”
According to Keel, the values required to succeed in the military are similar to those found in Maynardville.
“I learned manners from growing up in a little tiny town,” said Keel. “You get familiar with the people in your community when you grow up in a small town. You learn Southern hospitality which has come in handy while learning rank and recognition and talking to my superiors and such.”
Known as America’s “Silent Service,” the Navy’s submarine force operates a large fleet of technically advanced vessels. These submarines are capable of conducting rapid defensive and offensive operations around the world, in furtherance of U.S. national security.
There are three basic types of submarines: fast-attack submarines (SSN), ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and guided-missile submarines (SSGN).
Fast-attack submarines are designed to hunt down and destroy enemy submarines and surface ships; strike targets ashore with cruise missiles; carry and deliver Navy SEALs; conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions; and engage in mine warfare.
The Navy's ballistic-missile submarines, often referred to as "boomers," serve as a strategic deterrent by providing an undetectable platform for submarine-launched ballistic missiles. SSBNs are designed specifically for stealth, extended patrols and the precise delivery of missiles.
Guided-missile submarines provide the Navy with unprecedented strike and special operation mission capabilities from a stealthy, clandestine platform. Each SSGN is capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles, plus a complement of heavyweight torpedoes to be fired through four torpedo tubes.
As a member of the submarine force, Keel is part of a rich 121-year history of the U.S. Navy’s most versatile weapons platform, capable of taking the fight to the enemy in the defense of America and its allies.
Serving in the Navy means Keel is part of a team that is taking on new importance in America’s focus on rebuilding military readiness, strengthening alliances and reforming business practices in support of the National Defense Strategy.
“The Navy acts as a deterrence force,” said Keel. “We are known as a superpower in the world because our Navy is massive. We have boats and ships placed throughout the world just to let everyone know that we can be anywhere at any time.”
With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through underwater fiber optic, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.
A major component of that maritime security is homeported at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
“We do two big things here in King’s Bay: we send SSBNs on strategic deterrence patrols and we forward deploy our guided missile submarines overseas,” said Rear Adm. John Spencer, Commander, Submarine Group Ten. “This work is essential to uphold the number one mission of the Navy: strategic deterrence. And this is the only home port for both of these types of submarines on the East Coast.”
Strategic deterrence is the Nation’s ultimate insurance program, and for decades, Kings Bay has been home to Ohio Class SSBN ballistic-missile submarines. Beginning in 2028, the new Columbia Class ballistic-missile submarines will arrive and provide continuous sea-based strategic deterrence into the 2080s.
As Keel and other sailors continue to train and perform the missions they are tasked with, they take pride in serving their country in the United States Navy.
“Because of service members like myself, my family can rest easy knowing they are safe,” added Keel. “I'm a big family man. My mom always wanted me to join. My family is super proud of my service and they sleep well at night knowing that I am serving.”