Technological advances, particularly in warhead and inertial guidance systems, made an IRBM feasible and economically practicable. On review of the technical capabilities for United States Defense (Killian Report), the National Security Council recommended and the President approved--"that a 1800 mile ballistic missile system be developed. Both land-basing and sea-basing to be considered."

8 NOVEMBER 1955

The Secretary of Defense (SecDef) directed Army and Navy to proceed jointly with development of IRISM #2 (JUPITER). This directive established the Joint Army Navy Ballistic Missile Committee (JANBMC). The Department of Defense proposed initiation of the IRBM program with priority equal to the ICBM program, the highest priority within DOD. Army and Navy immediately assigned top priority to the program. Subject to approval by the Office of Secretary of Defense Ballistic Missile Committee (OSDBMC), JANBMC was authorized and directed to carry out all aspects of the JUPITER program operating with maximum urgency.

The Secretary of the Navy (SecNav) created the Special Projects Office to handle the problems associated with the ship-launched weapon system as contrasted to the assignment of the (land-based) basic missile system development responsibility which remained with the Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA). The Navy was to develop the ship launching system while the Army developed the missile.

28 NOVEMBER 1955

Navy stated long range objective to develop a solid propellant ballistic missile for use in submarines. This was within an overall plan for development of JUPITOR. "On long term basis, the Navy proposes a solid propellant development program pointed toward surface ships and eventual submarine use. This development should be initiated immediately to alleviate the serious hazards and difficult logistic, handling, storage, and design problems associated with liquid fuels. Development of a solid propellant missile and submarine system appears feasible, but not on the time scale of the original approach. The solid propellant is an integral part of the submarine program." The target date or an operational ship-based JUPITER system had been set at 1965.

5 DECEMBER 1955

Rear Admiral William F. Raborn, USN, reported as Director, Special Projects.

19 DECEMBER 1955

The Navy Fleet Ballistic Missile Weapon System operational requirement was issued. The need for extension of research and technical know-how beyond the state-of-the-art was recognized for the following areas: inertial guidance, hypersonic aerodynamics, liquid and solid rocket motors and propellants, and ship navigation.

20 DECEMBER 1955

The OSDBMC authorized the Army and Navy to proceed with the JUPITER program.

MARCH 1956

JANBMC authorized a navigation system development program, a weapon system test and development program, an FBM surface combatant development program, and an FBM submarine development program.

20 MARCH 1956

OSDBMC approved Navy's solid propellant program for component development to determine weapon system feasibility.

11 APRIL 1956

Feasibility study contract awarded to Lockheed Aircraft Corporation to determine suitability of missile development for submarine environment.

1 JULY 1956

FBM program at this date had as its objective a ship-based liquid propellant missile adaptation of JUPITER.

16-18JULY 1956

OSD Scientific Advisory Committee (OSDSAC) reaffirmed its recommendations concerning the Navy's solid propellant project. Specifically, it recommended (1) a full-fledged solid propellant missile program instead of the existent test vehicle program, and (2) elimination of instructions to contractors that as much as possible of the JUPITER nose cone, guidance, and control components be applied to the solid propellant vehicle since the suitability of the components was very questionable.

SEPTEMBER 1956

The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) estimated that a suitable warhead would be available for a smaller ICBM by 1965, with an even chance of attainment by 1963.

23 OCTOBER 1956

OSDSAC recommended that the Navy solid IRBM program "receive top priority, equal to that of the other IRBM program..." and that its final objective be development of a missile of the POLARIS type in the 30,000 pound class, capable of a range of 1500 nautical miles In the 1962-63 period.

Eleventh test of solid propellant missile thrust vector control devices known as jetavators was successfully completed.

9 NOVEMBER 1956

The Secretary of the Navy proposed the POLARIS program to the Secretary of Defense and requested authorization to delete the interim liquid in missile launching capability from merchant hulls.

8 DECEMBER 1956

SecDef authorized the Navy to proceed with the development of the small, solid propellant POLARIS; hence, to terminate participation in the liquid JUPITOR program.

18 DECEMBER 1956

Joint Army Navy Ballistic Missile Committee was dis-soIved.

19 DECEMBER 1956

SecNav reaffirmed the highest Navy priority for the FBM program and established the Navy Ballistic Missile Committee (NAVBMC) to direct the program. The Special Projects Office, previously charged with the development of the ship-based aspects only of the weapon system, was given responsibility for development of the entire system.

JANUARY 1957

The FBM Navigation Development and Test Ship, USS COMPASS ISLAND (EA 153), formerly known in the program as Mariner I, began operations at sea.

JANUARY-FEBRUARY 1957

Special Projects (SP) organized POLARIS/Submarine Special Steering Group, later known as the Steering Task Group (STG), to formulate FBM program goals and plans. Members were drawn from top levels of participating agencies and contractors. First meeting was 7 January 1957. The STG tasks were to advise an optimum missile and submarine envelope and thereafter to assist in monitoring and sponsoring later contingent developments. The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) established interim (1963) and optimum (1965) goals for the FBM program. SP began scheduling the program in phase with reasonable expected advances in the state-of-the-art to assure attainment of program goals and maximum economical use of resources.

8 FEBRUARY 1957

CNO issued a requirement for a 1500 nautical mile solid propellant ballistic missile capable of being launched from a submerged submarine to be operational by 1965.

28 MARCH 1957

The highest total impulse ever achieved in this country by a solid propellant rocket motor was attained in a static firing of a POLARIS test vehicle by Aerojet General Corporation.

MARCH 1957

Dimensions of the POLARIS missile envelope and the optimum envelope for FBM submarines were established. Determination of these parameters early in the program was vital to the sea-based system since submarine construction lead-times dictated early design of the launching vehicle.

18 JUNE 1957

CNO approved the ship characteristics of the FBM submarine. (This approval was reached 31/2 months sooner than the complex procedure customarily requires.)

1 JULY 1957

FBM program at this date had as its objective to provide an FBM submarine weapon system with a 1500 nautical mile range missile ready for operational evaluation not later than 1 January 1963.

OCTOBER 1957

SecNav proposed an acceleration of the FBM program to SecDef. It included (1) attainment by December 1959 of an operable 1200 mile range missile, launchable from land and sea; (2) attainment by early 1962 of an operational capability of two FBM submarines and a third 3 months later; (3) attainment by mid 1963 of a missile with the performance specifications previously set up as a goal for 1965 (1500 mile range).

NOVEMBER 1957

Compressed air launching subsystem was proved by successful operation of PEASHOOTER, an experimental tube launcher at San Francisco Naval Shipyard.

26 NOVEMBER 1957

NAVBMC informed OSD that, for the same dollar requirements reported on 22 October, the FBM Program could be accelerated to provide a POLARIS/Submarine system by October 1960 and a 1200 in mile range missile.

9 DECEMBER 1957

SecDef authorized acceleration of the POLARIS program to achieve the first POLARIS/submarine weapon system in 1960.

DECEMBER 1957

Preliminary design of the first submarine was completed and contract design started - both ahead of schedule.

20 DECEMBER 1957

SP and the Bureau of Ships (BuShips) forwarded to CNO a plan for maximum acceleration which gave their best judgment of results possible under "national emergency" conditions. It was emphasized that the earliest submarine completion dates December 1959, March 1960, etc.) could be met only under the most optimistic conditions, "assuming every possible breakthrough and key personnel working with maximum fervor and motivation." Streamlined decision making processes and optimum fiscal support were identified as necessary to meeting such dates.

11 JANUARY 1958

First FBM test flight, Point Mugu, California.

JANUARY 1958

Construction was begun on the first three FBM submarines. The first one, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, had been laid down as USS SCORPION but was cut in two and had a 130-foot weapon system section inserted.

12 FEBRUARY 1958

The President signed the fiscal year 1958 Supplemental Appropriation Act, including funds for construction of the first three SSBNs. Construction had begun in January using funds "borrowed" from other Navy programs.

23 MARCH 1958

First launching from the submerged tactical launcher facility (POPUP) off San Clemente Island, California was successful.

APRIL 1958

Training of the crew to be assigned to the Weapon System Test Ship (USS OBSERVATION ISLAND) was started; the trainees included missile guidance, launching and handling, propulsion, and ordnance personnel.

9 APRIL 1958

As a result of SecDef action on the Fiscal Year 1959 augmentation budget, the Navy submitted to OSDBMC a plan to provide a five submarine capability with a 1200 nautical mile range missile by mid-1961 with the first submarine ready for sea by April 1960.

23 APRIL 1958

CNO promulgated the concept of operations for the FBM weapon system and directed cognizant Navy offices to start detailed planning and action to place the system in operational status in 1960.

1 JULY 1958

Submarine Squadron Fourteen was established in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations to formulate plans for operational logistics support, crew training, crew rotation, patrol doctrine refit procedures, and to provide input from experienced submariners to the Special Project Office. Bureaus, contractors, and shipbuilders.

1 JULY 1958

FBM program at this date had as its objective a complete POLARIS/Submarine weapon system with a 1200-mile range missile in 1960 with a three submarine capability by mid-1961. Three submarines were authorized at this time.

26 JULY 1958

Construction of submarines 4 and 5 authorized by the President.

22 AUGUST 1958

The president signed the DOD fiscal year 1959 Appropriation Act. Funds for SSBNs 6-9 were withheld. Funds for submarines 4 and 5, which were provided for in the Act, had been appropriated in July.

25 AUGUST 1958

Deputy SecDef granted authority to obligate funds for procurement of long lead-time items for submarines as then proposed for the fiscal year 1960 FBM program budget (SSBNs 10 through 14).

24 SEPTEMBER 1958

Test of first POLARIS-configured flight test vehicle (AX series).

30 SEPTEMBER 1958

OSD approved construction of the POLARIS Missile Assembly facility at Charleston, S.C. This is the facility where the tactical missiles are assembled, checked out, and loaded on FBM submarines before going on operational patrol.

5 DECEMBER 1958

The Weapon System Test Ship, USS OBSERVATION ISLAND (EA 154), formerly known in the program as MARINER 2, was completed on schedule and commissioned.

23 DECEMBER 1958

The president authorized construction of the SSBN 6.

1 MARCH 1959

Construction of the Team Training Facility at Naval Base, New London, Connecticut, to support Submarine crew training began.

20 APRIL, 1959

First fully successful POLARIS AX vehicle flight test.

9 JUNE 1959

First FBM submarine, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, launched at Groton, Connecticut.

27 JUNE 1959

The President authorized construction of SSBNs 7, 8, and 9.

1 JULY 1959

FBM Program at this date had as its objective a complete POLARIS/Submarine system with a 1200-mile range missile in 1960. Nine submarines and one submarine tender were authorized.

14 AUGUST 1959

First air-eject launched test flight, fully successful at Cape Canaveral. Missile, POLARIS -AX 14, was launched from ship motion simulator launch tube. SMS not in motion.

27 AUGUST 1959

First seaborne launch of a large solid propellant ballistic missile. POLARIS test vehicle launched from the USS OBSERVATION ISLAND at sea off Cape Canaveral, Fla. Ship had complete submarine type launching and fire control system. Missile was launched by compressed air.

21 SEPTEMBER 1959

First POLARIS A1X (tactical prototype) test vehicle flight fully successful at Cape Canaveral.

30 DECEMBER 1959

First FBM submarine, USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, commissioned at Groton Connecticut.

7 JANUARY 1960

First inertially guided POLARIS test vehicle flight fully successful at Cape Canaveral.

29 MARCH 1960

First fully integrated FBM system test. AX test vehicle launched from USS OBSERVATION ISLAND. Submarine type navigation, fire control and launching equipment used. Missile was inertially guided.

29 MARCH 1960

Naval Weapons Annex, Charleston, S.C., commissioned (POLARIS Missile Facility, Atlantic).

                                                            (Down and left)

First successful underwater launch of a large solid propellant ballistic missile, San Clenmente island, California. POLARIS flight test vehicle using reduced (Quantity of propellant to produce ignition and planned 6-second powered flight Iaunched from static underwater launcher.

1 JULY 1960

FBM program at this date had as its objective a complete POLARIS/Submarine system with a 1200-mile range missile by October 1960. Nine submarines and two submarine tenders were authorized.

8 JULY 1960

First FBM weapon system submarine tender, USS

PROTEUS (AS 19) commissioned. Ship was World War II tender converted for POLARIS submarine program use.

15 JULY 1960

President authorized construction of SSBNs 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.

20 JULY 1960

First launch of POLARIS test vehicle from submerged nuclear FBM submarine (USS GEORGE WASHINGTON) at sea off Cape Canaveral. (Second POLARIS launch, same date, 2 hours 53 minutes later.) Both fully successful.

SEPTEMBER 1960

Development of the 2500 nautical mile range POLARIS A-3 missile approved by SecDef and initial funding allocated the following month.

15-18 OCTOBER 1960

USS PATRlCK HENRY (SSBN 599) successfully fired four POLARlS test vehicles 500 miles at sea under operational rather than test conditions.

10 NOVEMBER 1960

First test vehicle in the second generation, 1500 nautical mile range POLARIS A-2 was successfully Iaunched at Cape Canaveral. Missile went over 1400 nautical miles.

15 NOVEMBER 1960

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON departed Charleston, S.C., to go on operational patrol. She carried 16 tactical POLARIS A-I, 1200 nautical mile range missiles.

22 NOVEMBER 1960

USS ETHAN ALLEN (SSBN 608) launched. First submarine designed from keel up as an FBM submarine.

30 DECEMBER 1960

USS PATRICK HENRY departed Charleston, S.C., to go on operational patrol with 16 POLARIS.

A-1 missiles.

1 JANUARY 1961

The VLF Naval Radio Station at Cutler, Main went on the air 1 year ahead of original schedule.

21 JANUARY1961

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON arrived New London, Connecticut, having completed her first patrol. She had been gone 67 days and had set new record for length of time submerged 66 days, 10 hours. She came alongside the tender PROTEUS which was to complete her first FBM submarine upkeep in the stateside port before sailing to Holy Loch, Scotland.

29 JANUARY 1961

President Kennedy authorized the acceleration of the POLARIS program. As a result construction of SSBNs 15, 16, 17, l8, and 19 (initially planned for FY 62 budget) were authorized in fiscal year 1961. A third submarine tender was also authorized for fiscal year 1961.

8 MARCH 1961

USS PATRICK HENRY returned from patrol and came alongside the PROTEUS in Holy Loch, Scotland, to become first SSBN to use Holy Loch as a refit arid upkeep anchorage. She bettered the GEORGE WASHINGTON's record by staying submerged 66 days, 22 hours.

27 MARCH 1961

The President announced plans for 10 SSBNs be included in the fiscal year 1962 program Funds were accordingly added to the FY 1962 budget request.

2 MAY 1961

USS ROBERT E. LEE (SSBN 601) departed Charleston, S.C., to go on patrol with 16 POLARIS A-1 missiles.
 

FBM program at this date had as its objective the deployment of two more submarines carrying the 1200 mile range POLARIS missile by the end of calendar 1961 and the deployment of the 1500 mile range POLARIS A-2 missiles in ETHAN ALLEN Class submarines during 1962. Nineteen SSI3Ns and three tenders were authorized.

9 JULY 1961

USS ROBERT E. LEE returned from patrol and came alongside USS PROTEUS at Holy Loch. She had established a record by staying submerged and completely sealed for 68 days, 4 hours, 15 minutes.

19 JULY 1961

USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (SSBN 600) departed Charleston, S.C., to go on operational patrol with 16 POLARIS A-1 missiles.

19 JULY 1961

The President authorized construction of SSBNs 20 through 29.

28 AUGUST 1961

USS ABRAIIAM LINCOLN (SSBN 602) departed Charleston, S.C., to go on operational patrol with 16 POLARIS A-I missiles.

22 SEPTEMBER 1961

SecDef tentatively approved construction of six SSBNs in fiscal year 1963 and six in fiscal year 1964.

23 OCTOBER 1961

First launch of a 1500 nautical mile range POLARIS A-2 test vehicle from submerged submarine USS ETHAN ALLEN (SSBN 608) at sea off Cape Canaveral. Fully successful.

7 DECEMBER 1961

Last production model of POLARIS A-1 delivered.

26 FEBRUARY 1962

Rear Admiral Ignatius J. "Pete" Galantin relieved Vice Admiral William F. "Red" Raborn, Jr., as Director, Special Projects.

23 APRIL 1962

DOD announced selection of various facilities planned for POLARIS support in Pacific area. Puget Sound Naval Shipyard at Bremerton, Washington, was selected as FBM submarine overhaul facility; the Naval Ammunition Depot at Bangor, Washington, was selected for the POLARIS missile assembly facility (PMFPAC); Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, was chosen as the location of the crew training facility.

6 MAY 1962

USS ETHAN ALLEN, operating in the Pacific as a unit of Joint Task Force 8, successfully fired a POLARIS missile with a nuclear warhead. Successful nuclear detonation achieved.

8 MAY 1962

USS LAFAYETTE (SSBN 616), first of the largest class submarine ever built, was launched at Groton, Conn. Mrs. John F. Kennedy, wife of the President, christened the ship.

26 JUNE 1962

USS ETHAN ALLEN departed Charleston, S.C., to go on operational patrol with 16 POLARIS A-2 missiles.

1 JULY 1962

FBM program had at this date as its objective the deployment of three additional submarines carrying the POLARIS A-2 missiles and delivery to the fleet of the operational 2500-mile range POLARIS A-3 by mid-1964. Twenty-nine submarines and three tenders were authorized.

7 AUGUST 1962

First flight test of POLARIS A-3 at Cape Canaveral, Fla.

10 AUGUST 1962

The President signed the DOD fiscal year 1963 Appropriations Act providing funds for construction of SSBNs 30 through 35 and long lead-time items for SSBNs 36 through 41. Funds were also allotted for construction of a fourth submarine tender.

10 OCTOBER 1962

USS SAM HOUSTON (SSBN 609) departed Charleston, S.C., to go on operational patrol with 16 POLARIS A-2 missiles.

7 NOVEMBER 1962

USS JOHN MARSHALL (SSBN 611) departed Charleston, S.C., to go on operational patrol with 16 POLARlS A2 missiles.

5 MARCH 1963

Construction began on the POLARIS Missile Facility - Pacific (PMFPAC) at Bangor, Washington.

15 MARCH 1963

USS HUNLEY (AS 31) relieved USS PROTEUS at Holy Loch, Scotland.

28 MARCH 1963

Defense Department announced deployment of first of three FBM submarines in the Mediterranean and that these three would come from those operating from Holy Loch, Scotland.

10 APRIL 1963

First seaborne launch of a POLARIS A-3 test vehicle from the USS OBSERVATION ISLAND at sea off Cape Canaveral.

14 APRIL1963

USS SAM HOUSTON (SSBN 609), first POLARIS submarine assigned to Mediterranean patrol, visited Izmir, Turkey. This was first foreign port, other than Holy Loch, visited by an SSBN.

1 JULY 1963

FBM program had at this date as its objective the deployment of additional submarines carrying POLARIS A-2 missiles and the deployment in 1964 of FBM submarines carrying POLARIS A-3 missiles. Thirty-five SSBNs and four tenders were authorized with long lead-time items authorized for an additional six SSBNs.

1 SEPTEMBER 1963

POLARIS Missile Facility --- Pacific, Bremerton, Washington, was established in a development status. The facility will serve as an assembly, Checkout, and outloading base for FBM submarines and tenders operating in the Pacific.

26 SEPTEMBER 1963

First steam-eject launch of a POLARIS missile from the USS OBSERVATION ISLAND (EAG I 54) at sea off Cape Canaveral, Florida.

26 OCTOBER 1963

First POLARIS A3X missile launched from a submerged submarine. Missile launch from the USS ANDREW JACKSON (SSBN 619) off Cape Canaveral was fully successful.

28 OCTOBER 1963

USS THOMAS JEFFERSON (SSBN 618) departed Charleston, S.C., to go on operational patrol with 16 POLARIS A-2 missiles.

16 NOVEMBER 1963

President John F. Kennedy watched a successful launch of a POLARIS A-2 missile from the USS ANDREW JACKSON (SSBN 619). He saw the shot from the deck of the USS OPSERVATION ISLAND.

4 JANUARY 1964

USS LAFAYETTE (SSBN 616) departed Charleston, S.C., to go on operational patrol with 16 POLARIS A-2 missiles.

24 FEBRUARY 1964

USS PROTEUS (AS 19), the first FBM submarine tender assigned to Holy Loch, became the first FBM submarine tender at Rota, Spain. Rota to be the second advanced FBM anchorage site and home for Squadron Sixteen.

16 MARCH 1964

USS ALEXANDER HAMILTON (SSBN 617) Departed Charleston, S.C., to go on operational patrol with 16 POLARIS A-2 missiles.

1 APRIL 1964

USS HOLLAND (AS 32), the second submarine tender built from the keel up for the support of FBM submarines, arrived al Rota, Spain, to relieve PROTEUS.

20 APRIL 1964

USS HENRY CLAY (SSBN 625) Successfully launched a POLARIS A-2 missile from the Surface. This was the first demonstration that POLARIS submarines could launch missiles from the surface as well as from beneath the ocean. Thirty minutes earlier the CLAY successfully launched an A-2 missile while submerged.

28 APRIL 1964

USS LAFAYETTE (SSBN 616) arrived at Rota, Spain, to become the first FBM submarine to use the second advanced IBM anchorage. LAFAYETTE was the first submarine assigned to Squadron Sixteen.

25 MAY 1964

USS DANIEL BOONE (SSBN 629), first FBM submarine assigned to the Pacific Fleet, visited Hawaii, participating in shakedown operations during the visit.

25 MAY 1964

First POLARIS A3P missiles launched from a submerged submarine. Two missiles launched from USS DANIEL WEBSTER (SSBN 656) off Cape Kennedy, both fully successful.

25 MAY 1964

USS NATHAN HALE (SSBN 616) departed Charleston, S.C., to go on operational patrol with 16 POLARIS A-2 missiles.

1 JUNE 1964

USS JAMES MONROE (SSBN 611) departed Charleston, S.C., to go on operational patrol with 16 POLARIS A-2 missiles.

2 JUNE 1964

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (SSBN 598) returned to Charleston, S.C., to off-load missiles in preparation for overhaul at General Dynamics/Electric Boat Division shipyard in Groton, Conn. This ended the initial deployment or the first FBM submarine, which began in November 1960.

2 JULY 1964

USS WOODROW WILSON (SSBN 614) departed Charleston, S.C., to go on operational patrol with 16 POLARIS A-2 missiles. The WILSON was the 16th POLARIS submarine to go on operational patrol. The FBM program had at this date as its objective the deployment of the last of the POLARIS A-2 missile-carrying submarines and the initial delivery to the fleet of the operational 2500 nautical mile range POLARIS A-3 missile. Forty-one SSBNs were authorized, with the entire force to be operational in 1967.

17 AUGUST 1964

USS HENRY CLAY (SSBN 625) departed Charleston, S.C., to go on operational patrol with 16 POLARIS A-2 missiles.

21 AUGUST 1964

USS DANIEL BOONE (SSBN 629) reported 10 the Pacific fleet, becoming the first FBM to be permanently assigned to the Pacific.

11 SEPTEMBER 1964

POLARIS Missile Facility, Pacific, was commissioned at the US Naval Ammunition Depot, Bangor, Washington. Secretary of the Navy, Paul H. Nitze, was principal speaker.

24 SEPTEMBER 1964

Raborn Hall was dedicated at the FBM Training Center, Dam Neck, Va. Named after VADM William F. "Red" Raborn, first Director of Special Projects.

28 SEPTEMBER 1964

USS DANIEL WEBSTER (SSBN 626) left Charleston, S.C. to begin her initial deployment. She carried the first boatload of the new and longer range POLARIS A-3 missile.

3 NOVEMBER 1964

USS JOHN ADAMS (SSBN 620) left Charleston, S.C. to go on operational patrol with 16 POLARIS A-2 missiles. She was the last to deploy of the SSBNs carrying A-2 missiles.

1 DECEMBER 1964

The third FBM advance anchorage site, at Apra Harbor, Guam, became operational with USS PROTEUS (AS 19) as the FBM tender. PROTEUS has opened all three FBM anchorage sites.

11 DECEMBER 1964

USS PATRICK HENRY (SSBN 599) returned to Charleston, S.C., to off-load missiles in preparation for overhaul at General Dynamics/Electric Boat Division Shipyard, Groton, Conn. This ended the initial deployment of the second FBM submarine, which began in December 1960.

25 DECEMBER 1964

USS DANIEL BOONE (SSBN 629) departed Apra Harbor, Guam, with 16 POLARIS A-3 missiles to begin the first operational patrol in the Pacific.