YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to Commander, Submarine Group 7 (COMSUBGRU 7) celebrated the U.S. submarine force's 117th birthday during a Submarine Birthday Ball at the Mercure Hotel April 14.

Approximately 200 Sailors, spouses, guests and members of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), took time to reflect and celebrate the legacy of 117 years of silent service. The celebration paid tribute to all submariners who have served since the first U.S. submarine, USS Holland (SS 1), commissioned April 11, 1900.

Rear Adm. Richard A. Correll, commander, Submarine Group 7, provided opening remarks for the event, highlighting the importance of the U.S. Navy's relationship with the JMSDF and the support of the Sailors' families.

"Our alliance with the JMSDF is the closest relationship we have in the Pacific," said Correll. "Thank you for your support and your friendship. I also want to thank the Sailors' families for your ongoing supports and contributions to our missions"

Rear Adm. Phillip G. Sawyer, deputy commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, was the guest speaker for the event. Sawyer, also a former commander of Submarine Group 7, thanked the attendees and paid homage to the Sailors who had paved the way for today's submariners.

"Tonight is a celebration," Sawyer said. "It's a celebration of our history and our heritage of submariners from the past. From our humble beginnings in 1900, to our coming of age in World War II, to the advent of nuclear power, to our victory in the Cold War, to now; it is really a great story. We've accomplished so much in that time, but the story isn't over. The next chapter of our submarine force remains to be written."

The Submarine Birthday Ball also included a "Tolling of the Boats ceremony," which was conducted in remembrance of all U.S. submarines lost at sea.

COMSUBGRU 7 is comprised of submarines deployed to the Western Pacific and the Middle East; two forward-deployed submarine tenders and four attack submarines homeported in Guam; five surveillance towed array sensor system vessels and three oceanographic survey vessels when tasked for Theater Anti-Submarine Warfare operations.