VADM Al Konetzni & Wife
May 2000

Submarines InfoLink
Updated: 16 July 2004

Below on this page is a copy of RADM Al H. Konetzni's SOS notice (minus the outstanding charts and graphics that were included in his original page).     It was formerly located on the COMSUBPAC server but has been removed. I have placed this copy here for reference purposes as I don't think the problem has been resolved since October of 1999.

As additional links to well done and authoritative web pages on the subject of this dangerous downsizing of our submarine force are found I will place them here.    /// Sid Harrison

See copy of RUNNING SILENT NO MORE featuring VADM Al Konetzni.

~~~ Latest ~~~
On 16 July 2004, the submarine family wished a fond farewell
and happy retirement to VADM Al Konetzni. 
An article (and image) copied from the 17 July 04 Virginia Pilot:

Larry King at Big Al's retirement ceremony
An article copied from the Hampton Roads Daily Press, July 16, 2004

A three-star career
From the website of   SubmarineSailor.com

A collection of farewell tributes to Vice Admiral Al Konetzni
 
Copies of other relevant articles:
THE Debate || Sub-Culture


Air Force Magazine Article - Jan. 2001

More links about -- SAVING SUBS & THE FUTURE OF OUR FORCE

 CLICK: No more Silent Running
 CLICK IMAGE for Mike Gordon's "must read" from the Honolulu Advertiser

 

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
COMMANDER SUBMARINE FORCE
UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
BLDG 619
1430 MORTON STREET
PEARL HARBOR, HI 96860-4664 

06 October 1999 

I’m sending out an S.O.S. This is a distress call to save our submarines! Over the next ten years our country plans to prematurely lay to rest more than 190 submarine years. That’s throwing away more than six perfectly good submarines! 

While we may save some money in the near term, what we as a nation lose is priceless capability - a capability that statistically has been steadily on the rise. Knowing this, it’s penny-wise, but pound-foolish. 

At the same time submarines are being cut up early, the national tasking for submarines has more than doubled. And if trends remain unchanged, increasingly more critical requirements will go unfulfilled. There is already a deficit in the number of submarines required to satisfy national interests in the Pacific, and we can no longer meet the high-priority tasks assigned by national leadership. 

But we do have a chance to stem the tide, but only with immediate action. Today, we have the opportunity to salvage eight Los Angeles class fast-attack submarines currently slated for early retirement. Additionally, our country has a once-in-a-life-time chance to convert four of the most capable, stealthy Ohio-class submarines to undersea battleships, capable of carrying 154 Tomahawk cruise missiles and dozens of Navy SEALs. 

One of these submarines could single-handedly relieve an entire carrier battle group of Tomahawk responsibilities, which in turn would be available to protect our interests in other important areas. 

Make no mistake about it -- this is a distress call. We need your assistance now to help support making an investment in our collective future by helping us navigate in these perilous waters. Together, and with immediate action, we can stay the course. 

Help "Save Our Submarines." 
 
 

RADM Al H. Konetzni
Commander Submarine Force
U.S. Pacific Fleet 

 
TOP
 
LINKS

  • COMMANDER SUBMARINE FORCE U.S. PACIFIC FLEET (.mil)
  • THE FUTURE OF THE SUBMARINE FORCE Another statement by RADM Al H. Konetzni
  • This page is linked from the SUBMARINE WARFARE page of FAS
  • Here is the FAS archived copy of Konetzni's SOS page
  • The Honolulu Advertiser's SPECIAL REPORT   "No More Silent Running"
  • S.O.S. -- Save Our Submarines: Latest Revelation About Chinese Espionage
  • Underscores Need to Retain Full Trident Force
    Linked from THE CENTER FOR SECURITY POLICY  Their BOARD OF ADVISORS
  • CHINFO's official page on the FUTURE OF THE SUBMARINE FORCE (.mil)

  •