[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 11, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E483-E484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          OPERATION SANDBLAST

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DAN NEWHOUSE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 11, 2022

  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Senior Chief, 
Torpedoman's Mate David E. Boe, Senior Chief, Sonar Technician John F. 
Kuester, Master Chief Petty Officer Robert C. Perkins, and Commander 
Allen W. Steele, the original crew members aboard the USS Triton during 
the submarine's 1960, top-secret Operation Sandblast mission.
  This mission was instrumental in the Cold War--not only did the crew 
gather valuable oceanographic data throughout its circumnavigation of 
the globe while remaining entirely submerged and undetected, but they 
demonstrated their endurance and the submarine's technical 
capabilities. At the time of Triton's

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commissioning in 1959, it was considered the largest, most powerful, 
and most expensive submarine ever built.
  The Port of Benton in Richland, Washington, worked with the U.S. Navy 
to preserve the USS Triton's 75-foot-long sail and conning tower that 
are on display at the USS Triton Sail Park, to honor submariners and 
highlight the significance of Triton's impact on the Nuclear Age.
  Central Washington is proud to hold this piece of our nation's 
history, and I am honored to recognize these brave crew members for 
their commitment and dedication to accomplishing the Operation 
Sandblast mission, which proved invaluable to the United States and the 
world during the Cold War.

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