15 female submariners make history on the USS Wyoming stationed at Kings Bay

The 15 enlisted women serving aboard the ballistic-missile submarine USS Wyoming recently reached a milestone accomplishment for all women who serve. They became the first enlisted female crew to complete a ballistic-missile submarine “boomer” deterrent patrol.

Ballistic-missile submarine “boomer” deterrent patrols involve deterring attacks from potential adversaries and last 77 days at sea on average.

It’s been more than 12 years since women were authorized to serve aboard submarines. While women comprise nearly one-fourth of the Department of Defense’s total force, only a small fraction of women serve on submarines, according to Chief Mass Communication Specialist Ashley Berumen, Commander, Submarine Group 10 Public Affairs.