Overdue Submarine Mystery Questions - 29 FEB 2012

You couldn't make this stuff up!

Background: Selected Ongoing Sub Mysteries

16 April 1951 - HMS Affray (P421) Affray left port around 1600 hrs, and made normal contact to confirm position, course, and speed at 2100 hrs, indicating she was preparing to dive. When she missed her 0800 to 1000 report the next morning she was declared missing and an immediate search begun. Seventy-five (75) crew and riders are entombed in the submarine on the edge of Hurds Deep (an underwater valley) in the English Channel. Under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986, the vessel is a controlled site. Diving on her without a permit from the Ministry of Defence is strictly illegal.

21 May 1968 - USS Scorpion (SSN-589) indicated her position to be about 50 miles south of the Azores. Six days later, she was reported overdue from Norfolk, Virginia. On 5 June 1968, Scorpion and her crew of 99 were declared presumed lost.

13 March 2007 - USS San Juan (SSN-751) missed a 7 p.m communication (with surface ships). The Navy mobilized a search-and-rescue operation and began notifying the families of the 140 crew members that the submarine was missing.

The concern was so high that Defense Secretary Robert Gates was notified of the situation overnight, as was White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley, who was preparing to brief President Bush with the news when communications were re-established with the missing submarine. ABC NEWS

From 5 to 60 years later, theories still abound in connection with each of the above events and what may have actually caused them. Nothing new in that, however, considering the same can still be said about the mysterious fate of the H. L. Hunley submarine, which in 1864 (147 years ago) sent USS Housatonic and five of her crew to the bottom near the entrance to Charleston Harbor.

QUESTIONS of the WEEK:

1. A serious theory connected with the loss of one of the selected subs (above) was also suggested in a popular submarine film. Which of the three subs was this, and what similarity was also depicted in The Hunt for Red October.

2. Why would inclusion of the theory referred to in Question 1 by board of inquiry imply a thorough and candid investigation?

3. Name the sailor whose singular presence on board the sub not only supports the theory, but certainly raises even more unanswered questions.

4. Why could the H.L. Hunley, by the way, not be included appropriately with the three selected submarines above?

ANSWERS: Monday, 5 March 2012

Submarines are always silent and strange.

Curious Timing for New Thriller Movie

Consider the timing of number 4) [potential spoiler WARNING]:

1) February 14, 2012 - (AP) U.S. weighing steep nuclear arms cuts A level of 300 deployed strategic nuclear weapons would take the U.S. back to levels not seen since 1950, when the nation was ramping up production in an arms race with the Soviet Union.

2) February 15, 2012 - Big-budget military thriller set for Alaska film credit approval
A big-budget military thriller about an American submarine captain's attempt to rescue the Russian president will soon be pre-approved for filming in Alaska, the state says. The story is based on Don Keith and George Wallace's unpublished novel Firing Point. Commander George Wallace USN (ret.) served in the US Navy for twenty-two years as an officer on nuclear submarines.

3) November 6, 2012 - Election Day in the U. S. is set by law for general elections of public officials as the Tuesday following the first Monday in November.

4) December 21, 2012 - While the movie Hunter Killer is scheduled to open In December, it is customary for advertising and promotions to preceed the release. Will the movie trailers be played before the election of our next POTUS?

Why this may be important [Potential spoiler WARNING]: The buzz (now apparently wiped from the internet) had been that the plot involves a strategic missile submarine crew that mutinies, sails off to a friendly island and declares itself another nation with nuclear weapons!

Strategic missile submarines are currently being used for political gain by an administration that for the first time in history has authorized female officers to serve on them. We expect to be reaffirmed, before 2013, in the absence of political motives of Commander George Wallace USN (ret):

Commander Wallace commanded the Los Angeles class nuclear attack submarine USS HOUSTON (SSN 713) from February 1990 to August 1992. During this tour of duty, he worked extensively with the SEAL community developing SEAL/submarine tactics. Under his command, the Houston was awarded the CIA Meritorious Unit Citation. He completed his active duty career as Assistant Chief of Staff, Submarine Group Five. Amazon.com

Submarines are always silent and strange.

Read more here: http://community.adn.com/?q=adn/node/159789#storylink=cpyNovember 6, 2012 - Election Day in the U. S. is set by law for general election of public officials as the Tuesday following the first Monday in November.December 21, 2012 - Scheduled movie "Hunter Killer" release date. Advertising and trailers will preceed this movie as usual. Will they preceed the general election as well?

Submariners' thoughts on "underwear bomber's" Mandatory Sentence

Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab (aka U. F. Abdullard, Umar Abdul Mutallab, Omar Farooq al-Nigeri, and the 'Underwear bomber') got life in prison without parole for his 2009 airliner attack. The 25 year-old convict had told government investigators that he was working for an Al Qaeda group run by American Muslim cleric Anwar Awlaki.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, faced questions over whether Abdulmutallab should have been prevented from boarding the flight in Amsterdam. Since then, Napolitano's TSA airport employees have received criticism for subjecting American travelers to underwear inspections, groping and unreasonable searches.

Finally U. F. Abdullard has been sentenced to life in prison without parole. Molten Eagle knows that prison life, particularly in a supermax prison can be fraught with unexpected nuances for inmates.

Out of curiosity, we assembled a panel of ex-submariners, some of whom have served in law enforcement and asked what else U.F. Abdullard might expect in prison. Here are a few results from that informal survey:

* Random visits from winners of Napolitano's weekly "Raffles for the Most Aggressive TSA Inspectors" from each airport around the country.

* Besides x-rays and underwear inspections, U.F. Abdullard is likely to receive an atomic wedgie at some point during each visit from each raffle winner.

* Also, Janet Napolitano will select raffle winners volunteers for conjugal visits with U.F. Abdullard. If she gets no volunteers, being a strong-minded woman, who knows what responsibilities she herself may decide to undertake.

* Lifetime listening privileges on the Jehovah Witnesses TV Network.

* Credit for the time incarcerated until sentencing. About two years will be deducted from his life without parole prison sentence: His prison grave marker will reduce his age actual age at death by two years.

* Lifetime subscription to 72 Virgins Magazine.

* Annual Christmas cards from anonymous well wishers countrywide in commemoration of his Christmas 2009 attack.

Submariners have been known to develop off-beat types of humor. Not sure if the survey group was bent or merely practicing wishful thinking.

Submarines are always silent and strange.

Answers for Sub Questions of the Week - 2/11/2012

Background for these week's questions was provided when originally posted here.

ANSWERS and Questions:

1) What are some reasons other than superior depth performance for submarine officers to wear Rolex Submariners? ANS: Rolex watches are regarded as status symbols since Rolex became the first watchmaker to earn chronometer certification for a wristwatch, and the first watchmaker with an automatically changing date on the dial.

2) Though not yet qualified submariners, a few females are members of a few submarine wardrooms. Rolex manufactures watches for ladies. Is there a Rolex Ladies Submariner watch at this time? ANS: No, there is no Ladies Submariner watch, nor are plans for one.

3) According to Rolex, "The Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea is the ultimate reference chosen by professional divers in oceans around the world." A custom version of this model is now available from a specialty company. What is the name of the specialty company? ANS: Bamford Watch Department.

4) The specialty outfit per 3) above has updated Rolex's original in all-black (shown below), with an adjustable nylon strap and branded face. What is the price of this customized Rolex watch? ANS: $175,000 HKD (about $22,500).

5) What other feature sets the customized Rolex apart? ANS: Note the 'Jolly Roger' emblem on the watch back (photo below).



Submarines are always silent and strange.