Leonard Robinson

USS Providence (SSN-719) is a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine commissioned into the United States Navy in 1985. Built by the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut, the submarine has played a critical role in numerous operations, including deployment during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Notably, Providence was the first submarine to launch Tomahawk cruise missiles in combat during this conflict. Throughout her service, she has participated in various exercises and missions, contributing significantly to the Navy’s undersea warfare capabilities until her decommissioning in August 2021.

USS Raleigh (LPD-1) was the lead ship of the Raleigh-class amphibious transport docks, commissioned into the United States Navy on 8 September 1962. Designed to support amphibious assault operations, Raleigh participated in several major exercises and deployments, including operations during the Vietnam War, where she transported Marines and equipment ashore. Throughout her service, she was involved in numerous training missions, humanitarian efforts, and multinational exercises, showcasing her versatility in both combat and non-combat scenarios. After over two decades of service, USS Raleigh was decommissioned on 13 December 1991.

USS Groton (SSN-694) was a Los Angeles-class nuclear-powered attack submarine of the United States Navy. She was commissioned on July 8, 1978, and named after Groton, Connecticut, a significant center for submarine construction. Throughout her service, USS Groton conducted a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare exercises, intelligence gathering, and support of fleet operations during the Cold War. After nearly two decades of service, she was decommissioned on November 7, 1997, and later entered the Nuclear Powered Ship and Submarine Recycling Program.

The US Naval Submarine School, located in Groton, Connecticut, was officially established in 1916 to provide specialized training for the crews of the Navy’s rapidly expanding submarine force. Over the decades, the school became the primary institution for developing advanced submarine tactics, technology, and safety procedures, especially during World War II and the Cold War. It has trained thousands of officers and enlisted personnel, playing a critical role in preparing crews for both diesel-electric and nuclear-powered submarines. Today, the Submarine School continues to be the cornerstone of undersea warfare training for the United States Navy, maintaining its reputation as the "Home of the Submarine Force."

Lowry Air Force Base (AFB), located in Denver, Colorado, was established in 1938 and named after 2nd Lt. Francis Lowry, a Denver native and World War I aviator. Initially serving as a technical training center, Lowry AFB played a critical role during World War II, providing training for bombardiers, photographers, and later, missile crews during the Cold War. The base continued its mission as a center for technical and intelligence training throughout the Korean and Vietnam Wars. After more than five decades of service, Lowry AFB was officially closed in 1994 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.