The Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association has received a significant contribution from global aerospace and security company Northrop Grumman to support the revitalization of its USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park at Pearl Harbor.
The submarine museum improvement project is currently underway and expected to be completed in late Summer 2020. Portions of the campus will be closed to the public during the construction period, but the World War II fleet submarine USS Bowfin (SS-287) remains open to public visits throughout the work.
Highlights of the project include an expansion of the museum, and dozens of new exhibits. The updated museum will include three galleries that span the history and future of submarine warfare: the Submarine Force during World War II, the Submarine Force during the Cold War, and the Modern Submarine Force – today and into the future. Many of the new exhibits will incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) concepts that will provide enhanced education opportunities.
“The Association is extremely grateful to Northrop Grumman. This donation represents a significant commitment to our vision of honoring the proud past and inspiring the bright future of our nation’s submarine force,” said Chuck Merkel, Executive Director of the Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association. “It is with great pride that we will name the Cold War Gallery in our new museum in honor of Northrop Grumman.”
“With a proud, 100+ year history of supporting the United States Navy and more than 60 years of supporting our Submarine Force, Northrop Grumman is honored to be a part of the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park at Pearl Harbor,” said Joe Mulloy, Northrop Grumman vice president of Marine Systems. “Our priority at Northrop Grumman is to keep our nation safe. As a retired Submariner, it is one of my highest honors to be a sponsor and strong supporter of the Bowfin Museum in Pearl Harbor and to recognize those who gave their lives for our country.”
With an average of 400,000 visitors per year, the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park is the most visited submarine museum in the world and one of the few places that the public can learn about the history and future of the United States Navy’s “Silent Service.”
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, space, strike, and logistics and modernization to customers worldwide. Northrop Grumman and the Northrop Grumman Foundation are dedicated to expanding and enhancing sustainable science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education opportunities for students globally. With an emphasis on middle school and university level students, our engineering and technology-based partnerships are designed to excite, engage and educate students as they defend cyber networks, engineer autonomous vehicles, explore space and more. In addition, we provide workforce-relevant professional development to middle school educators to advance their competence in teaching STEM subjects, in turn, inspiring students to explore STEM careers and increasing their STEM skills proficiency. In 2018, the company contributed nearly 20 million dollars towards these initiatives.
The Pacific Fleet Submarine Memorial Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that was founded in 1978 with the purpose of acquiring the WWII fleet submarine USS Bowfin and placing her on permanent display at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. USS Bowfin opened to the public in 1981, and last year welcomed her nine millionth visitor.
The submarine museum is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 11 Arizona Memorial Drive at Pearl Harbor, except on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, call (808) 423-1341 or visit www.bowfin.org.
