Projects
Here are some of the current projects and initiatives that Marlin base supports
Marlin SST2 Preservation
The USS Marlin (SST-2) was a T-1-class training submarine in commission from 1953 to 1973. The second submarine of the United States Navy to be named for the marlin, she performed valuable service as a target and training ship and evaluation of submarine and antisubmarine equipment and tactics.
Marlin remains on the U.S Naval Historical Ship registry, is currently located at Freedom Park as one of the displays and is available for tours. (USS Marlin SST-2 on display prior to 2011)
Freedom Park was impacted by the series of floods that have occurred since 2011. Marlin base members work with other Freedom Park volunteers and the Omaha City Parks department to preserve the park's historical displays. Work continues to restore the condition of Freedom Park and expand public access.
USS Omaha (SSN-692) Memorial
The USS Omaha (SSN-692) was launched on 21 February 1976 in Groton, CT. She was the third U.S. Naval vessel to bear that name.
Reassigned to COMSUBPAC she completed eight extended deployments to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans from September 1978 and 5 October 1995.
Upon decommissioning the city of Omaha developed plans to establish a memorial to the ship and crew centered around portions of the ship obtained from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton, WA.
The Omaha was about to be recycled when emergent repairs to the USS Cole (DDG-67) following the October 2000 attack required delaying work on the Omaha.
Freedom Park was impacted by the series of floods that have occurred since 2011. Marlin base members work with other Freedom Park volunteers and the Omaha City Parks department to preserve parks' historical displays. Work continues to restore the condition of Freedom Park and expand public access.
Work resumed and the material from the ship arrived in Omaha in late 2012.
The city conducted a ground breaking ceremony in April 2013 near Levi Carter Park. Since then the foundations for the sail and rudder have been set as the initial step toward a full scale memorial to the USS Omaha (SSN-692).
The sail and rudder will be positioned consistent with the size of the submarine.
These artistic renderings reflect the vision for this memorial conceptually.
Marlin Base continues fund raising efforts as well as collaborating with the city parks department on realizing his goal. Financial contributions and donations in kind are being managed through established USSVI processes.
ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE
United States Submarine Veterans Charitable Foundation (USSVCF)
a 501(c)(3) EIN 95-4830806
https://ussvcf.org/uss-omaha-ssn-692-memorial/
Email- treasurer@ussvcf.org
Freedom Park
Freedom Park is home port to the USS Marlin (SST-2) as well as many other historical displays.
Marlin Base members provide support to Freedom Park volunteers and others within in the broader Omaha - Council Bluffs community to assist the city in preserving and improving the various displays.
Vandals attempted to steal the Marine Corps M 274 1/2 ton platform utility truck (MULE) after the recent floods damaging it in the process.
A local business (Sustainable - Midwestern Garage) is assessing restoration options to include operational, fully functional service within Freedom Park.
In addition to preservation efforts, there are initiatives to establish a visitor center as well as a volunteer based docent program which will expand hours of public access.