Remembering CTC Harris Monroe “Red” Austin, First DIRSUP Submarine Operator (Part 3 of 5)

It was on or about the first of August, 1949: After several setbacks in Portsmouth the antennas, cables and SIGINT equipment were installed and the COCHINO finally got underway for her historic mission. Escorting her was USS TUSK (SS 426), COCHINO’s sister ship and the USS TORO (SS 422) and USS CORSAIR (SS 435). Operating under strict radio silence, the four submarines pulled away from the pier and soon disappeared under the deep blue and cold sea.

According to Austin, “The COCHINO and USS TUSK (SS 426) were the first two “Guppy Snorkel” types being sent on cold water trials. The TORO and CORSAIR were to stay the areas of Jan Mayen and the Denmark Straits and rendezvous with COCHINO after our mission was completed. TUSK had a rendezvous scheduled with us in the Barents Sea (thank God!) prior to our heading for Spitzbergen [Norway]. These were but a few of LCDR Benitez’s duties: